12 August 2007

Putting the Push Back into Pushbike

With perfect timing that comes from years of experience she launches into motion. Note the traffic light. It is red and, beneath it, yellow, which means that it will turn green within 2 seconds.

I've always wondered how the word 'push-bike' [or 'pushie' in Aussie slang] was developed. Seems a strange way to describe the mechanics of a bike. Sure, you push down on the pedals, but it really is a bit of a linguistic longshot.

In English we say that we'll 'walk our bike'. In Danish it is called 'pulling it'. What is it called in other languages? Do you push it, walk it, pull it - when you're not riding it? Let me know.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Moving the bike without riding it? I call it "Chinese Low Gear." Val

Anonymous said...

Moving the bike without riding it? I call it "Chinese Low Gear." Val

Colville-Andersen said...

Thanks, Val. That's cool. Chinese Low Gear. :-)

Ylva said...

In Sweden we "leder cykeln". That would be like "leading the bike". //ylva

ps. To comment on a comment; you do see heels cycling the streets of Stockholm. I should know.

Anonymous said...

in australia we push the bike. so i guess we push our pushies when not riding them...

jonathan.

Anonymous said...

"Push bike" properly refers to a non-pedalled bicycle. =to make it go forward you sat on it and pushed with your feet.