# 53 bicycles: A lateral thinking puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 9, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868 "2017-07-09T19:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 128
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2541 "2018-02-22T21:25:54Z")
Are those who use it as a “weapon” human? Are those who use it for food human? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2542 "2018-02-22T21:33:28Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Are those who use it as a “weapon” human? Are those who use it for food human? **Yes** ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2543 "2018-02-22T21:55:00Z")
As a weapon, is it used against humans? As a weapon is it typically lethal? Is it typically used intentionally as a weapon? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2544 "2018-02-22T21:59:49Z")
**reply to SpoilerVirgin** As a weapon, is it used against humans? **Yes** As a weapon is it typically lethal? **Yes** Is it typically used intentionally as a weapon?\*\* Yes\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2545 "2018-02-23T03:37:28Z")
[Probably not helpful, but I thought of it anyway.](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=snl+shimmer+floor+wax&view=detail&mid=3E01BEC6F73E5C07400D3E01BEC6F73E5C07400D&FORM=VIRE) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2546 "2018-02-23T05:46:47Z")
Is it plant based? Is it animal based? Do people who use it as food ever die from eating it? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2547 "2018-02-23T06:19:52Z")
Sometimes it is very hard to answer yes/no. This puzzle is especially like that. I will do my best. **reply to SpoilerVirgin** Is it plant based? **No** Is it animal based? \*\*Possibly. Depends on who you believe. \*\* Do people who use it as food ever die from eating it? **Only very very rarely as in uncommon food allergy rare.** ---
**Author:** ![kk\_fusion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kk_fusion/32/15276_2.png) [@kk\_fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kk_fusion)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2548 "2018-02-23T08:50:44Z")
As a weapon, does it typically come into contact with the target’s body? Does it work through blunt force? Cutting/piercing? Burning/electrocution? Does it shoot projectiles? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2549 "2018-02-23T09:24:33Z")
As a weapon is it deployed as a gas? A liquid? A solid? Is it fungus-based? As a substance, does it need refining? Does it need extracting from the source? Is it a medicine? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2550 "2018-02-23T13:07:29Z")
Is it something like fugu, which is poisonous unless prepared correctly? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2551 "2018-02-23T13:37:01Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Is it something like fugu, which is poisonous unless prepared correctly? I’m glad you asked this. It was my question yesterday, but I thought I was off to ask it. I’ll add: Is it fugu? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2552 "2018-02-23T14:26:16Z")
**reply to kk fusion** : As a weapon, does it typically come into contact with the target’s body? \*\*No \*\* Does it work through blunt force? \*\*No \*\*Cutting/piercing? \*\*No \*\* Burning/electrocution?\*\*No \*\* Does it shoot projectiles?\*\*Yes \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2553 "2018-02-23T14:30:50Z")
**reply to Quartz** : As a weapon is it deployed as a gas? \*\*No \*\*A liquid? \*\*No \*\*A solid? \*\*Yes \*\* Is it fungus-based? **No** As a substance, does it need refining? \*\*No \*\* Does it need extracting from the source? \*\*No \*\* Is it a medicine?\*\* No \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2554 "2018-02-23T14:33:09Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Is it something like fugu, which is poisonous unless prepared correctly? \*\*No \*\* > [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’m glad you asked this. It was my question yesterday, but I thought I was off to ask it. > > I’ll add: > > Is it fugu? \*\*No \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2555 "2018-02-23T14:55:59Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > **reply to Quartz** : > > As a weapon is it deployed as a gas? \*\*No \*\*A liquid? \*\*No \*\*A solid? \*\*Yes \*\* Bother. I was thinking of water. Hmm… is it ice? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2556 "2018-02-23T14:58:25Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Bother. I was thinking of water. > > Hmm… is it ice? **No** ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2557 "2018-02-23T15:08:37Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Is it animal based? \*\*Possibly. Depends on who you believe. \*\* Is this a religion-based distinction? Is the Yes / animal religion Christianity? Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? Is the No / not animal religion Christianity? Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2558 "2018-02-23T15:21:01Z")
**reply to Quartz** Is this a religion-based distinction? **No** Is the Yes / animal religion Christianity? Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? **No** Is the No / not animal religion Christianity? Islam? Hinduism? Buddhism? **No** **Religion is not relevant in this controversy.** ---
**Author:** ![kk\_fusion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kk_fusion/32/15276_2.png) [@kk\_fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kk_fusion)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2559 "2018-02-23T15:55:01Z")
Would those who consider it food say it’s animal based? Would those who use it as a weapon use it to fire projectiles at a human target? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2560 "2018-02-23T16:00:47Z")
**reply to kk fusion** Would those who consider it food say it’s animal based? **Yes** Would those who use it as a weapon use it to fire projectiles at a human target? **Yes** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=127) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=129)