Purr for the P.U.M.A?

This entry about the device above (seductively dubbed the P.U.M.A) raises some really interesting questions about the way we relate to technological advances. Do the advances create our needs or do our needs occasion advances? Well, the two dynamics are probably correlative. Still, why would you spend so much money on something in the name of being among the "urban environmentally friendly" at the expense of, say, riding a bike for next to free?

Check out the comments too, some good points are raised. One is that few cyclists can really maintain 35mph. But what urban living cyclist ever gets far enough before a traffic light or obstructively double parked SUV forces to slow down well below his or her top speed?

On the other hand, if we sold these to those living in suburban centers that lack sufficient infrastructure to make day-to-day cycling feasible for all but the most radically committed, perhaps some good could be achieved by this technological advance. However, if you took a 10% pay cut this quarter b/c of the fear-mongering recession, buying a fancy piece of gyroscopic transportation may be out of the question.

Maybe you'd do better to pick up a use schwinn at a garage sale, yeah?

P.S. check out the Good magazine website and blog while you're there.. Its pretty bad ass.