Vegan
From ibikeu Wiki
A vegan is a vegetarian who also eschews dairy and eggs. Some vegans also choose to avoid eating honey. It is common vegan practice also to avoid animal products that are not eaten, such as leather.
Due to a high proportion of vegans among the cyclists, compared to the general population, many popular restaurants amongst cyclists are vegan, or have vegan options. In Los Angeles, for example, Pure Luck is very popular vegan hangout, nestled in the heart of the Bicycle District. At the potluck-style Den Dinner, a tradition began by CubCamp, vegan dishes make a regular appearance.
Why?
There are several reasons why people choose to become vegan. Often in the case of any given vegan, these reasons overlap.
- Ethical: Some people become vegans (and vegetarians) because they don't want to contribute to a system of food production and distribution that they believe is unethical. While it is not always necessary to kill an animal to obtain its milk or eggs, some farms have been shown to use cruel practices to harvest them, and the animals are not always well treated. Some, but not all, vegans argue that it is always unethical to use an animal against its will for its byproducts.
- Religious: Some religions have scriptural prohibitions regarding the taking and killing of animals for their meat, and some branches of those religions extend this to milk and eggs as well. Also, it is sometimes argued that the ideals of nonviolence enshrined in some spiritual doctrines prohibit the slaughter of animals or the taking of their products.
- Health: Numerous studies have shown that consuming meat, dairy products, and eggs excessively can have negative effects on health; vegans avoid this possibility by shunning them altogether (although a badly planned vegan diet can be unhealthy as well).
- Fashion: It is undeniable that veganism is fashionable in some social circles.
What About Cookies?
Vegans can eat cookies...as long as they are vegan cookies. Maulie makes excellent vegan cookies and sells them at some rides to fund her AIDS LifeCycle effort with Team Midnight Ridazz.
