# 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:** 180
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3582 "2019-06-06T02:26:46Z")
Was the question about politics one which would be considered relevant by a significant number of voters in 2019? Was the question about politics one which would be considered relevant by a significant number of voters at some point in the past? Was the question about politics a factual question? Was the question about ethics a factual question? ---
**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:** [June 6, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3583 "2019-06-06T02:30:36Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > - Is it something specific to Virginia state politics? > - Would the puzzle work if the word “Virginia” was instead, say, “Alaska”? These kind of Yes and No questions are hard to answer. In one sense “no” it does not involve necessarily Virginia State politics or Virginia. If you change the riddle to “Bob from Alaska” and “Alaskan State politics” it would still work fine. But I am from Virginia so the specific question I asked about Virginia politics is relevant, I think, and the puzzle thus works better. I probably said too much here but oh well. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3584 "2019-06-06T02:33:44Z")
**reply to Mr. Shine** : Do you know the answer to the 2nd question? **Yes** If not, does anybody? **See above** ---
**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:** [June 6, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3585 "2019-06-06T02:37:06Z")
**reply to Chronos** Was the question about politics one which would be considered relevant by a significant number of voters in 2019? **No** Was the question about politics one which would be considered relevant by a significant number of voters at some point in the past **Yes** Was the question about politics a factual question? **Yes** Was the question about ethics a factual question? **Yes** ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3586 "2019-06-07T17:06:08Z")
Did either of the questions involve a specific political position or entity (the governorship, the state legislature, the judiciary)? Was either of the questions a yes or no question? Is the answer to either of the questions a number? ---
**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:** [June 8, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3587 "2019-06-08T04:07:01Z")
**reply to SpoilerVirgin** Did either of the questions involve a specific political position or entity (the governorship, the state legislature, the judiciary)? **Yes** Was either of the questions a yes or no question? **No** Is the answer to either of the questions a number? **No** ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3588 "2019-06-08T04:19:04Z")
Are both questions about the same position or entity? Is either about the executive branch? Is either about the legislative branch? Is either about the judicial branch? ---
**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:** [June 8, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3589 "2019-06-08T04:55:46Z")
**reply to SpoilerVirgin** Are both questions about the same position or entity? **No** Is either about the executive branch? **Yes** Is either about the legislative branch? **Yes** Is either about the judicial branch?\*\* No\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3590 "2019-06-08T05:48:49Z")
Was the answer to the first question established fact as of 200 years ago? Was the answer to the second question established fact as of 200 years ago? ---
**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:** [June 8, 2019, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3591 "2019-06-08T05:58:43Z")
**Answer to Covfefe** Was the answer to the first question established fact as of 200 years ago? **Yes** Was the answer to the second question established fact as of 200 years ago? **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:** [June 10, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3592 "2019-06-10T15:35:08Z")
Do I need to give a hint? I don’t think it is necessary but I kind of like this puzzle so here goes: If I was to rewrite this riddle I wouldn’t involve me at all but would instead involve a real life example and the Fed Ex Corporation. That said, I would appreciate if those attempting to solve the puzzle would stick to asking about the original riddle as given. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3593 "2019-06-10T16:05:32Z")
Not reading the hint yet, because I don’t think I’m really stumped yet (I’ve only been out of this thread because I forgot to check it): Was the answer to the politics question the name(s) of a person or persons? Was the answer to the politics question a political office? Was the answer to the politics question a law and/or legal document? Is the political question relevant to pre-statehood Virginia politics? Is the political question relevant to politics of Virginia under the Articles of Confederation? Is the political question relevant to politics of Virginia under the US Constitution? Did the ethics question involve an official punishment or sanction of someone? ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3594 "2019-06-10T16:06:08Z")
Could reasonable people disagree on the answer to the second question? Would people of different political affiliations give different answer to the second question? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3595 "2019-06-10T16:10:55Z")
Was your assumption that nobody knew the answer to your ethics question correct? Was the request that you leave and not come back related to any ill feelings towards you? Was the request that you leave and not come back due to nobody knowing the answer? Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to ask political questions? Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to ask ethical questions? Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to _not_ ask either of those sorts of questions? To clarify those last three questions: At a history conference or a trivia competition, people would be expected to ask questions. At a gathering of friends at a bar, there would be no expectation either way: It might come up, or it might not. At a Masons meeting, there would be an expectation of no political questions, because the Masons have a rule against political discussion. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3596 "2019-06-10T16:30:57Z")
**answer to Chronos** Was the answer to the politics question the name(s) of a person or persons? **No** Was the answer to the politics question a political office? **Yes** Was the answer to the politics question a law and/or legal document? **No** Is the political question relevant to pre-statehood Virginia politics? **No** Is the political question relevant to politics of Virginia under the Articles of Confederation? **No** Is the political question relevant to politics of Virginia under the US Constitution? **No** Did the ethics question involve an official punishment or sanction of someone? **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:** [June 10, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3597 "2019-06-10T16:34:51Z")
**Answer to Regallag\_The\_Axe** Could reasonable people disagree on the answer to the second question? **Yes** Would people of different political affiliations give different answer to the second question? **Not relevant** ---
**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:** [June 10, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3598 "2019-06-10T16:41:22Z")
**answer to Chronos** Was your assumption that nobody knew the answer to your ethics question correct? **Almost certainly** Was the request that you leave and not come back related to any ill feelings towards you? **No** Was the request that you leave and not come back due to nobody knowing the answer? **No** Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to ask political questions? **Yes** Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to ask ethical questions? **Yes** Was the gathering of a sort where people would be expected to _not_ ask either of those sorts of questions? **No** To clarify those last three questions: At a history conference or a trivia competition, people would be expected to ask questions. At a gathering of friends at a bar, there would be no expectation either way: It might come up, or it might not. At a Masons meeting, there would be an expectation of no political questions, because the Masons have a rule against political discussion. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3599 "2019-06-10T17:13:38Z")
Is it anything to do with historical issues more than 20 years old? More than 50 years old? More than 100 years old? Is it anything to do with segregation? Civil rights? The Civil War? Slavery? ---
**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:** [June 10, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3600 "2019-06-10T17:31:54Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is it anything to do with historical issues more than 20 years old? More than 50 years old? More than 100 years old? > > Is it anything to do with segregation? Civil rights? The Civil War? Slavery? **In reference to the riddles as a whole, no. In reference to the Virginia question, then more than 100 years old is correct but the rest is still no.** I am going to work now but will try and answer further queries tonight unless someone solves. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/3601 "2019-06-10T17:46:12Z")
Is it connected to the Tobacco industry? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=179) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=181)