On a recent trip to Amsterdam. I was struck by how much self expression was put into peoples highly individualised bikes. I myself can't drive and my bike takes me everywhere but I've never considered customising it or really enhancing it in any way in particular. I guess the point here is that, in Amsterdam, bike theft is an everyday thing and a good proportion of inhabitants wouldn't consider leaving a new or expensive one lying around. Whilst it's easy to get precious about something perfect, an old rusty bike is a blank canvas, calling out to be embellished. Your personality is bound to be infused in the result. Take something you're thinking of throwing out anyway and see if you can make something quite lovely out of it?
Expression of one's own personality, feelings, or ideas, as through speech or art: "Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment" (Pearl S. Buck)
