Transform

Bicycles are transformational tools to a sustainable future. To demonstrate how bicycles solve problems, let's look at four of the most pressing issues of our time.

1. Global Climate Change
2. The Horror of War
3. National Health Crisis
4. Economic Collapse

In the USA, personal automobiles are the leading source of greenhouse gases. In fact, cars are the main cause of pollution of air, water, and soil, as well as primary sources of noise and light pollution.

Even if we could retool quickly enough to immediately convert to alternative fuels, we would still have a problem. There is no known method for generating as much energy as cars consume without creating massive pollution. The key is to improve efficiency. The most efficient method known for transporting human beings – more efficient than walking, riding a horse, or a mag-lev train – is the bicycle. A healthy person can travel anywhere on land with cargo equal to his own weight by bicycle. If you can walk, you can cycle. In fact, people without legs can use hand powered cycles.

Wars are fought over resources. Right now the USA is engaged in two wars that are predominantly about who controls the most petroleum rich portion of the planet. Do you think there would be as much incentive to fight if we all stopped buying gasoline?

Furthermore, bicycling fosters a spirit of independence. People who know they can go wherever they want without paying an arm and a leg are harder to manipulate into becoming soldiers. War is an obsolete method of resolving conflicts and someday they're going to give a war which we all refuse to attend.

The diseases which plague the USA today are those of excess consumption. Americans get too little exercise. Next to swimming, there is no better exercise than bicycling. Riding a bike gives you a great aerobic workout without stressing your joints too much.

Converting to bicycles would reduce pollution and stress, thus curbing the rates of several diseases. Most importantly the rate of accidents would be significantly lowered. Today more Americans are killed and maimed on our nation's highways than the total loss of US soldiers in the Vietnam War. Where is our outrage?

The root of the economic crisis is that Americans consume more than we produce. Before the US national debt crossed the one trillion dollar line, it was the largest debt ever amassed in the history of humankind. At this writing it is approaching twelve times that and growing at an insane rate. And the national debt is dwarfed by the combined personal debts and business debts.

Bicycles are a remarkably affordable mode of transport. The average American, who has been spending about half his working hours earning cars, licenses, insurance, gas, etc., can easily afford the time and money to get around on the nicest of bicycles. It is a very comfortable lifestyle transition for most.

The question is not whether Americans will give up automobiles, but when. The world will not continue to loan us unlimited funds so we can kill thousands to control a resource that is becoming increasingly limited. There is no technofix big enough to cover the gross inefficiencies of the personal automobile.

Positive change is not forthcoming from the US government, no matter how loudly we demand it. The change agent you're waiting for is you and your vehicle is a bicycle. You can improve your economy and your health while doing your part for the environment and to resist supporting war. Get on your bicycle and ride!

Helium

Psychosomatic Illness

When I was five years old, I suddenly got two little brothers through adoption. I responded to the change by getting sick. I would wake in the night unable to breathe and have coughing spasms. My mother, a nurse, was wise enough to avoid a diagnosis of asthma. She called it croup and treated me like a coughing infant, assuring me I would grow out of it. She would send dad across the alley to the hospital to get a steam tent and set me up in my own enclosed world until I felt good enough to face reality.

These memories came back to me as I lay in a steaming hot bathtub, treating the chest cold to which I have succumbed. I'm taking some time out to recover my usual robust health while I adjust to sudden changes in my life.

Mike, my boss, didn't have much choice but to lay me off. Cyclotopia doesn't need as much staff during the winter. When I announced that I'd be gone next summer during the busy season, I painted Mike into a corner. But I don't regret it. I know I'm on path.

This will be my third transcontinental Bike4Peace, converging upon DC on 22-Sept, World Car-Free Day. In 2006, led by Ron Toppi, I rode across the north on a tandem with Ananda Portal stoking. In 2007, I rode across the south with Michele Darr and three of her children in tow. In 2010, I aim to ride across the middle - San Francisco to DC - with Cynthia McKinney, six term Member of Congress and the 2008 Green Party nominee for President.

We hope to demonstrate that bicycles are transformational tools which could solve oil wars, global warming, the health crisis, and the economic crunch. Along the way we'll facilitate community discussions about how we can support each other to live up to our highest ideals.

I'm very excited by the prospects, but I've got a lot of work to do to get ready. First, I need to grieve the loss of a good job and recover my health. Back to my steam tent...

Make a Committment

Please sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/online/31211.html to show your concern for
* Global Climate Change
* Oil Wars
* National Health Crisis
* Economic Collapse
You can make a real difference!