West Seattle scene: Prom night on a bicycle built for two

Eric Shalit sent us this photo late last night; things were a little busy then but we want to share it now. It’s his son Max Shalitmontagne and date Fiona, “heading off to the Garfield High School Senior Prom … on a tandem bike (courtesy of Aaron¹s Bike Repair).” They rode from West Seattle to Pacific Science Center for the occasion. Eric adds, “Max is 100% car-free by choice. He rides about 200 miles a week, commuting and having fun. Max loves cycling!”

rykrite May 2, 2009 (10:25 am)

I think that is AWESOME. :-) (And yes, I went to highschool in the 80s, when it was cool to say “awesome.” Forgive me!)

AD May 2, 2009 (11:27 am)

Very cute! Did they have any energy to dance after biking that far? Glad the weather cooperated.

Traci May 2, 2009 (11:27 am)

OH MY GOSH could they be any cuter!?!

J May 2, 2009 (11:41 am)

Fabulous! Way to go, Max and Fiona! Is there any way we as a community can help with college scholarships for these two? I think it will pay off… Eric (and any parenting partner(s)), thank you for your years of parenting.

cute pic May 2, 2009 (11:54 am)

Go Bulldogs!

MW May 2, 2009 (12:06 pm)

Absolutely adorable! Love the picture, admire Max and Fiona for their creativity and individuality.

Hubaloo May 2, 2009 (12:12 pm)

Good stuff. Much better than taking a 50′ long Hummer limo to prom.

(Clearly these are not the kinds of kids shooting each other on Alki.)

n May 2, 2009 (12:32 pm)

I saw them, yes cute, but my first thought was the idiot doesn’t have a helmet on.

Eric Shalit May 2, 2009 (12:39 pm)

J: You wrote:

“Is there any way we as a community can help with college scholarships for these two? I think it will pay off… Eric (and any parenting partner(s)), thank you for your years of parenting.”
—

Hey J.: We are looking for scholarships right now. I don’t see your email address. Feel free to contact me at:
eric@boxturtledesign.com

Thanks!

Aaron May 2, 2009 (1:27 pm)

Max is a great kid. When he asked me if I knew of anyone that had a tandem he could borrow, I just had to let him use our rental tandem.

I wish there were more kids like Max. The world would be a better place. He is super open minded and one of the most honest and humble people I have ever met. Just like his dad!

As for college scholarships, don’t discount or forget about vocational school. Too many parents put too much emphasis on college. Most folks I know do not even use their degree. We need more folks in the trades. We need smart plumbers, electricians, carpenters, machinists, welders, and bicycle mechanics.

As we aim for a more sustainable society we are going to need folks to repair things. We need to stop throwing stuff away. A kid yesterday in the shop wanted to throw his bike “in the dumpster” because the chainguard was bent and the cranks would not turn! I fixed it for free for him.

Cheers!

AaronK May 2, 2009 (1:54 pm)

A perfect example of why bikes, ABR, and West Seattle, RULE!

Eric Shalit May 2, 2009 (4:10 pm)

Nowadays, with the “changing” economy, many of the menial non-skilled jobs will be taken by former business executives with “buddy” connections. Most of them only know how to break stuff, so someone’s gonna have to fix all that stuff.