The Notable And Notorious -- On Bicycles!

Gas prices got you down? Get with the trend--ride a bike! You'll save money, help the planet and burn calories all while unleashing a sweet rhapsody of endorphins. Best of all, you won't be riding alone . . .

According to a recent report from The Chicago Sun-Times, high gasoline prices are fueling a cross-country clamoring for bicycles. And the fad isn't just fashionable amongst us penny-pinching commuters cringing through $4 gallons. Rather, many of our wealthiest politicians, movie stars, musicians and athletes are getting back on the bike. Take for example, New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg, Angelina Jolie, Madonna and David Beckham. Even Ron Paul, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are indulging in the fun, healthful and environmentally-fantastic practice of biking.

Inspired, I've set to work--literally days scouring Google images--to amass a comprehensive archive of 100 interesting, influential, even offensive people we know, love--perhaps despise--atop the bike. From Senator Chuck Schumer to Pamela Anderson, Tina Fey to Albert Einstein, the archive is a diverse collection of pedaling-icons famous across time, gender, race, age, and fitness level.

So without further ado--drum roll please, I present the first five photographs--a random sampling--of my grand opus to come . . .

"Notable and Notorious People On Bicycles."

1. Barack Obama

Image Courtesy: AP

Barack Obama recently celebrated his bid for democratic nomination with a leisurely bike ride along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Illinois senator's biking attire garnered a badgering from such hateful fuss-bodies as Perez Hilton and US Weekly's Fashion Police. Both criticized Obama's attire--tapered jeans, white socks, a helmet and deflated back tire--as "an Obamination."

I say, "Obama looks great!" Sexy as always--just like when he wore a tie while bowling. Gladdens my heart to see our future president getting after it on the bike.

For More of Obama In HuffingtonPost Green . . .
Obama Celebrates Win By Riding Bike
Obama's Ethanol Support Shared By Many Advisers
RNC Goes Green In First Major Obama Attack Ad

2. Lindsay Lohan

Image Courtesy: unidentified paparazzo via egotistic.

While attending rehab, Lindsay Lohan (and her . . . well . . . flashing high beams) went for a restorative ride through Sundance, Utah.
Check in again for photos of Lindsay stopping traffic while riding a bike at Venice Beach.

For More On Lindsay Lohan's Eco-Chic Addictions . . .
Lindsay Lohan Wears Eco Fashion

3. Madonna

Image Courtesy: unidentifiable paparrazzo via fitsugar.com.

No doubt Madonna has more than one driver and quite a few fancy cars, but that doesn't stop the former material girl from cruising through London, LA and New York on a supped-up mountain bike. Husband Guy Ritchie also enjoys bike riding (stay tuned for his photos). Though reported to be experiencing marriage problems, Madonna and Guy are often seen biking together with their children Rocco and Lourdes.

4. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton

Obama's competition-turned-champion-party-mate, Hillary Rodham Clinton also enjoys biking. In the above shot, Hillary and husband Bill soak in summer sun and a fresh breeze on the Nantucket shore. I wonder if they ever race . . .

For More Of Bill and Hillary On Environmental Issues . . .
President Clinton Tells US Mayors: Green Your Cities
Clinton Camp Says It Will Use The Nuclear Option

5. Richard Branson & Daryl Hannah

Image Courtesy: Evan Agostini/Getty Images for Virgin Mobile USA

Actress Daryl Hannah and Chairman of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson giggle while using pedal-power to blend a smoothie on the Byerley Bicycle Blender, a bike that also makes shakes and pina coladas.

For More On Branson's Green Ventures . . .
Virgin's Green Investment Fund Gets First $199 Million
Richard Branson Plans Caribbean Eco-Resort
Blog Post: Let's Follow Richard Branson's Green Example
Richard Branson's Son Hired As "Green Ambassador"

And Daryl Hannah's Eco-Crusading . . .
Daryl Hannah's Blog On The Huffington Post
Daryl Hannah: 25 Hottest Girls in Green

Stay tuned for more shots of influential people pushing the pedals . . .

For More On Biking Through Rising and soaring gas prices . . .

Oil Prices Rising, Bike To Work: 12 Tips To Get Started
Analysts: US's Chances To Head Off Current Oil Crisis Were Ignored, Blocked
Save Gas, Save Money: 66 Ways To Spend Less On Gasoline
Bush On Energy Crisis: "It Took Us A While To Get Into This Energy Situation We're In, It's Gonna Take Us A While To Get Out Of It"
Sex For Gas
Carl Pope's Blog Covering Environmental And Political Issues

Comments

[enilorac]

The problem with the USA is we have a govt. that has promoted ghastly SPRAWL. We need to go back to the good old American concept of the WALKING CITY. Bring back the old downtowns, where people lived a walk away or a bike ride away from where they worked. The Preservation League of New York has been promoting the idea of Upper Floor Rehabilitation of old downtowns in Upstate Cities. It's working. Visit Corning, New York, home of Corning Inc. and you will see, how their upper floors( above main street stores ) is working to bring people back downtown and a walk away from the big Corning plant nearby.
WALKING CITIES ARE ALSO GOOD BIKING CITIES.

[playera]

Biking to work is a great way to get there and to save gas dollars. Everyday I ride to work I save $5.00 in gas. I ride 18 miles each way.
In our Ohio winter, if the streets are dry, I can ride to the post office, grocery, and bank. Only if the temperature is below zero do I take the car for short trips.

[4wehttam]

Wow, that is dedication. I'm so lazy, I really need to dust off my bicycle. I'd probably just ride it to the park with my toddler though, my commute to work is 76miles one way.

[enilorac]

Love the one of Hil and Bill. Shows they were biking last year.
Olivia. Would be fun to see you on your bike!!!! Put your pedaling where your bike is, so to speak.
No backpeddling please.

[Rosy]

Biking's great, but it only works where the weather cooperates. I live in Michigan...kind of hard to bike in a foot of snow every winter.

[OneOleMan]

Yeah, Rosy, riding in the snow is bit difficult but I would imagine you have at least eight months out of the year when there is no snow on the ground, right? Unless you have to travel a great distance or a lot of hills to traverse it"s a good way to get around and use no gas. And then consider the bicycles are relatively inexpensive to buy.

[RuthlessDictator]

I'm planning on getting studded tires for riding on the ice this winter.

Try it it's fun. Just remember to dress warmly!