The bike institute thread made me wonder what kind of neighborhoods you guys grew up in, and how big or little cycling was.

For me, it was great. Typical American cliche of riding to friends' houses, and cousin's living a few blocks away. Built BMX jumps in a nearby field. I remember a friend asking a stranger working in his yard, if he could pump up his tires. His garage was open, rode up, he started his air compressor and let us use it as he went back to his thang. I dont see that happening in the same neighborhood in this day and age....