It is no secret that society is polarized. The online environment fosters a tribalist mentality. This now stretches across most aspects of our lives, including how we get from place to place. The online argument for cars versus bicycles is notorious.

Reality is now awkward for those of us that understand the need for nuance. Everyone has different life circumstances. In fact, those circumstances can change daily.  

When it comes to transportation, is there only one tool for the job?

Let’s say you hire a general contractor for a job. The contractor arrives for work with only a sledgehammer. They adamantly declare that a sledgehammer is the best tool that was ever invented. In fact, the sledgehammer is so good that all other tools should not exist.

Would you trust their opinion? No. You’d probably fire them and warn the others.

Yet, our online echo chambers have created a world which tells us only one method of transportation can prevail. This is unreasonable for the majority of people.

Bicycles are not the best option for transporting a family of five across the state. Similarly, a three-ton sport utility vehicle with seating for seven is not the best choice for commuting three miles by yourself into a congested downtown.  

This doesn’t feel like a controversial statement. Yet, our online environment tells us that it is.

Why am I launching a blog in 2025?

I created Pistons Then Pedals to acknowledge this perspective which is missing from our society today.

Automobiles were my life as I was growing up. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from Phoenix International Raceway. My family spent numerous weekends at the racetrack before it was only NASCAR. The track hosted various series like IndyCar, USAC sprint car racing and, my personal favorite, the American Le Mans Series.

At the age of seven, I proved a Dodge salesperson wrong about whether fog lights were standard equipment on a Dodge Intrepid ES. Throughout high school, I wore branded t-shirts for teams like Nissan’s Nismo development and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division. I organized Jeep trail runs and briefly volunteered as an administrator on an online Jeep forum.

Bicycling was never on my radar. In fact, I had a medical condition which prevented me from bicycling until an excellent surgeon in college resolved it.

The resolution of my medical condition, as well as my lack of money, introduced me to the idea of human-powered transportation. Despite working as many hours as I could on campus, my paychecks were low.

Groceries, rent, and bar tabs were my priorities. A full gas tank was a rare occurrence and on-campus parking was expensive. I also didn’t have extra space for working on cars or storing extra vehicles.

Bicycles provided me with a cost-effective alternative. I learned about the mechanics of them while losing weight and saving money. It also offered a unique way to see my neighborhood. There were so many routes and landmarks which I never knew existed.

The Intention Behind Pistons Then Pedals

Over a decade has passed and I now have access to two vehicles. One vehicle is a sixteen-year-old Volvo which I now maintain myself. The other vehicle is a one-year-old VW sedan with three pedals. My garage also has an e-bike and a regular bicycle.

Experience has taught me that none of these vehicles are the superior choice. They each have a specific purpose and, when used for that purpose, they excel.

If you’re pro-bicycle but also interested in automobiles or aviation or trains or boats – Welcome!

My hope is that Pistons Then Pedals can provide a unique perspective for others like me.