16 Commonly Held Amish Myths Busted!

14. Myth - They Can Only Travel Using Horse And Carts

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The Amish residing in the Pennsylvanian area of Lancaster County decided that chains and cogs were verboten for transport and so they actually use several interesting means of short-distance vehicular perambulation that forgoes the use of gears.

One of the most common being a pedal-less bike; a "Draisienne" that is straddled and then propelled by running. No chains, sprockets or gears, just a lump of wood and leather as a seat and two wheels to roll on. Like the Flintstones but with less industry.

It's also common to see young Amish men on scooters - home made wooden crate-like ones like Marty McFly broke, in turn inventing the skateboard in "Back To The Future". Not the easiest way of traversing ten miles but presumably preferable to walking.

But the coolest method of travel they use though is roller skates! Yes, witness the Amish at their most rad when a whole bunch of young men rocking straw hats race down the country lanes like they're participating in Pilgrim Rollerball.

It's one of the many strange anachronisms a visitor to Amish country can see that totally bursts the bubble of expected behaviour from these gentle antiquated folk.

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A Welsh semi-retired television producer and actor known for low end work that astonishingly people actually watched and even garnered some awards. Originally residing in the electrically-challenged Amish areas of Pennsylvania he has written a few books (Hollywood Pants and Hollywood Horrible Hints and Terribly Fake Tips vols 1 & 2) which you can buy on amazon and all great book stores. After a brief stint in Australia he now finds himself back in the Welsh valleys of his home country noting that it hasn't changed a bit!