By Sandy Pfaff, GreenPepper
With new words and phrases like “bailout” and “stimulus package” becoming part of our every day vocabulary, and as we watch the U.S. automakers scramble for solutions to their innovation and image problems – you gotta love the Chevy Volt advertising campaign for a car not even available until 2010 - we would all do well to embrace the philosophy of Democratic Congressman from Oregon, Earl Blumenauer. Just get on a bike!
While this isn’t necessarily the best strategy if you live in Wisconsin in January, a simple solution to our environmental and political challenges is right before our eyes, or more exactly, down at our feet. There is nothing better for the health and greening of America than a morning bike commute to start the day. Even better, of course, if there is a shower waiting for you on the other end.
In addition to the benefits of physical activity and stress relief, commuting by bike can also be a great community building tactic and even a business development strategy if you work at it. Bike commuters are noticeably more friendly to each other so imagine what could happen to build more bonds across the aisles if politicians road around on bikes. Don’t get me wrong – there are days when you want to be oblivious. But, the payoff of returning the conversation to fellow bike commuters almost always results in that extra endorphin charge that can keep us energized, engaged, and proud to be a little greener – and nicer.
Funny, you don’t see bike companies asking for no stinking bailout, yet I say they are the ones who have developed some of the most innovative, environmentally friendly and community-building transportation solutions around. Pedal on, folks, pedal on.
*the era has passed, nothing that belongs to it exists any more.
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