From Bicycle to Car and Back Again
Machines
11. March 2021
Trans. 21.11.2024
Manfred Goschler
Vehicles and Machines
Although driving is increasingly viewed critically today due to growing traffic and its associated burdens, I still enjoy driving, especially on quiet roads in interesting surroundings. I particularly value the mobility it offers and the ease of transporting people or goods.
In my younger years, I had an even closer relationship with these vehicles or machines. Like many of my friends at the time, performance, design, aesthetics, and sound were important criteria for evaluating a motor vehicle. We developed many passions around cars or motorcycles that went far beyond their intended use. I fondly recall my first car, for which I had to wait impatiently until I could get my driver’s license at 18 and buy an affordable used vehicle. What a highlight it was to drive my own car for the first time! And how much effort we put in to keep those cars running and make them more appealing with minimal resources.
Before that, there were similar milestones that each brought a bit more mobility and joy to my life. I could barely wait to get my “small” license at 16, enabling me to purchase a moped. The higher speeds promised a greater range of travel. A little later, I got a motorcycle, whose power thrilled me at the time.
Before these motorized adventures, there was a small moped we affectionately called “Moby.” For many of us 15-year-olds, it was our entry into the world of motorized two-wheelers. Prior to that, for many years, bicycles were my primary means of transport. I can still vividly recall the beginning of this journey.
One day, on a walk with my father, I accompanied him on my little bike, equipped with training wheels. We had ventured quite a distance along a forest path when he decided to remove the training wheels so I could learn to ride properly. At first, I resisted out of fear of falling. But with his characteristic determination, my father convinced me to face my fear. Once I climbed onto the bike and felt the balance, there was no stopping me—I rode off, leaving my father astonished and now worried about my safety.
The story ended well: I made it home safely on my own, and my father was greatly relieved. From that moment on, the bike became my trusty vehicle, enabling me to travel around my hometown and beyond while having lots of fun.
Over time, my relationship with cars has cooled somewhat in favor of bicycles. There are simply too many vehicles on our roads now, affecting both moving and stationary traffic. On January 1, 2020, there were 47 million registered passenger cars in Germany (Source: Federal Statistical Office). These vehicles need space and have shaped the landscape of cities and even villages. Where children once played in the streets, cars now dominate.
In recent years, I have returned to using my bicycle more frequently and appreciate its versatility.
Whether as an affordable means of commuting to work, exploring nature, getting more exercise, or enjoying sport, the bicycle offers numerous ways to have fun while staying active.
