These are perilous times in which we find ourselves. No longer is it possible or even prudent to place our hopes in the soundness of the "fundamentals of our economy." That could be likened to stepping from a solid dock onto a floating inner tube. While the inner tube may have substance, it has no support from beneath. But we will get beyond this, won't we?

I'm given to view the world from the perspective of a modified relativist. That is, while I do think there are a few absolutes, which can't be disputed, there are many issues of interest and importance that can. How's that for a floating inner tube philosophy? All in all, my modified relativism has seen me through some difficult times.

For my family, life is mostly good. Our son is safely home from Iraq (his third trip there). Our daughter and her husband have given us a beautiful grandson. The three now young adults whom we raised as our own are each doing well in their own ways. It's safe to say that none in our family doubts that there will be a tomorrow and thinks that there can be no hope for the future. The same cannot be said for many of our fellow world citizens.

You're correct in asking at this point, "Where's the bicycle in this?" It's coming, and while it may seem a stretch to squeeze it in, I think bicycles are a partial answer to our current ills.

I've noticed over the last few months an increase in the number of bicycles on the streets of the Seattle metro area and on King County roads in general. Some are obvious commuters, some recreational riders; some are there because that's the mode of transportation the rider has always utilized to the degree possible. This increase can be explained by the obvious increase in gas prices, but there's also the decrease in some budgets. And once on a bike, I'm sure that there are a lot of bikers who find that the physical and psychological benefits are hard to part with, so they stay there. And finally, I think that bicycles are increasingly more accepted as a viable mode of transportation and not as the toy and recreational distraction with which they have been viewed.

Then there's the City of Seattle. Seattle has at last awakened to the unique needs and character of bicyclists. The city has responded with tangible changes to roads by making some much needed repairs. (East Marginal Way is one example, although it still needs much attention since it's a primary commute route to and from West Seattle.) The city is making the bicyclist feel at home here which also has an impact on the attitudes of car and truck drivers toward us.

With the continued downturn in the world's economy, I see the bicycle playing a larger and larger role in the transportation scheme. It doesn't require a lot of money to provide safe bicycle routes or to build bicycle parking at the end of the journey, but it costs a bundle to build a new highway or street. The bicycle will remain important as a means of recreation, but I think they will become and are being viewed as practical day-to-day transportation by an increasing number of people. Anyone who has traveled in Europe or Asia knows how the bicycle fits naturally into the fabric of daily life in those areas of the world. We can learn to fit the bicycle into our fabric as well.

I recently bought a recycled bicycle trailer. While the trailer is designed primarily as a child carrier, it also converts to a utility trailer by simply removing the sling seat. My plan is to use it to pull our grandson around, but I'll also use it to transport groceries and other things that require more space than panniers provide.

You see, there may be a silver lining in the current economic crisis. At least we can take some comfort in the relativistic view that while your 401K may be tanking, most of us aren't victims of a senseless war from which there is no escape. That is, unless you're one of many members of the military and their families who are also victims of war.

While contemplating your relative good fortune, ride safely.

Dave Kannas may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com