Bicycles Part 2

Hello!

Day 27 of my 365 Day Photography Journey.

They're called Bikes, Pedal Pushers, Pedal Cycles, Pushbikes, and just plan Cycles. Are they making a resurgence? They are actually.

Can they change our future? Or maybe a better question, can they change the future of our country and the world.

While doing some research for my previous blog I came across some very interesting facts. I'd like to share them with you as they are very dear to my heart.

The bicycle is a tremendously efficient means of transportation. In fact cycling is more efficient than any other method of travel--including walking! Bicycles are efficient.

When Lee and I went to Paris we were introduced to a new concept. Paris provides bicycles for free to it's local residents. Paris isn't the only country that does this. Parts of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands also provide community bicycle programs. They've implemented new road construction principals, mass transportation provisions which allow for bicyclist to ride for free and transport their bike in the process, and bicyclist awareness programs.

The image to the right is a rack of government sponsored bicycles. I think it looks better at night then it does during the day, but hey it's about color. See also the closer image below.

The residents swipe their card, pull a bike and then return it to any rack when they are finished. I'm not advocating a government sponsored free bicycle program but there are other affordable viable options, where it makes financial sense for everyone involved. I'll tackle that concept some other time but for now I am talking about getting more people riding for a number of reasons.

Lets talk about the pros and cons. Pros: Exercise (Can I get an "Amen"), reduced traffic, saves money (no gas to run to the store), greater social interaction, increase the income of our poorer ranks (what do I just say?), promotes a more relaxed enjoy nature and concept, and it's easy on our planet. Cons: Exercise (and all the couch potatoes said, "Amen"), not practical with little ones, Safety (This is a big one. Bicycle awareness needs promotion), long distance commuters (it's just not practical).


Exercise: Balance, coordination and over all health just running errands. Here's a biggy, think about the reduced health costs due to the number of people exercising regularly.
Reduced traffic and saves money: Do I need to explain these?
Greater social interaction: You are more likely to interact with some you can actually hear and talk too. It's a fact.
Greater income for those in a poorer bracket: Experiments done in Africa (Uganda and Tanzania) and Sri Lanka on hundreds of households have shown that a bicycle can increase the income of a poor family by as much as 35%.^[46][47][48] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle)
Promotes a "Smell the roses" and enjoy life concept: You're out in the weather you smell the changes of seasons. The more bicycles the less cars and smog and the more fragrant flowers and trees you encounter.

The cons to riding more are resolved through unbiased law enforcement, respect, education and city planning.


Hesperia has some very nice bicycle friendly roads. Exercise them and yourself. If you want to get out a bit, head up to Silverwood Lake there is a bike trail that goes part of the way around the lake.

What if every car on the road in Hesperia, Victorville or Apple Valley was actually a bicycle? Reduced insurance costs, reduced deaths, reduced energy needs, increased social activity, a closer community, kids can ride a bike to school without the fear of being hit by cars, clean air and less noise. I know it's not a realistic picture of the future but it's an idea worth giving some thought that might change our kids future.

Social events where arrived at via bicycle in days past. Wouldn't it be awesome to show up to a black tie affair on a bicycle? The rollers would valet their Cannondale, Schwinn, Giant or Trek.

I hope I gave you something to think about. I'm thinking about how I can make a better community.

Be nice to bikers! Please help to spread the word. Thank you!

Make a Great Day!