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May 15, 2008I could already hear a lot of arguments against this: No, I can’t because it’s too hot; no, I can’t because traffic in Metro Manila is horrible and the pollution is very high; no I can’t because it’s beneath me to ride a bike. I guess all of these are kind of valid because indeed, Metro Manila weather (or Philippine weather for that matter) is hot, and it gets hotter in summer. Traffic is, well, unspeakable most of the time, and it would only become worse in the future. Pollution? Metro Manila is a city filled with second hand diesel engine equipped jeepneys that spit out noxious fumes and particulates at street level and other out of condition old model cars that have seen better days. And err, yes, the city’s CEO’s and other top executives wouldn’t be caught in their shorts riding the lowly bicycle on their way to work; they have to ride their company provided gas guzzlers all in their air-conditioned glory.
As I said, these are valid arguments and perhaps enough to sway most to avoid cycling to work. However let me present some redeeming, if not totally convincing points that would show quite an opposite picture of the sorry state of Metro Manila’s streets and environment, and other related social issues as well.
- Gas prices have gone up and is expected to continue to rise in the next few months. Now, this could be both a blessing and and curse to so many people. Selfishly, I welcome this because my perception is that less people would tend to use their cars that consume a lot of gas. The less cars on the road, the less pollution in the environment, and the better for all and not just for cyclists. Our streets would become less filled with motorized transport and thus would be safer for cyclists.
- Our major roads are traffic prone indeed. But who says you have to bike through these God-forsaken thoroughfares? There are lots of side streets that provide not only safer routes but faster as well. This is what I actually do when I bike to work. I avoid big roads where big vehicles pass that endanger me and other pedestrians as well. These side streets enable me to bike unmolested and thus let me arrive faster to my destination.
- Sunburn is quite normal, but only if you leave yourself unprotected and vain enough not to let yourself become a bit dark after a little exposure to the sun. There are a number of ways you can protect yourself: sunscreen, long sleeved shirts and pants instead of shorts, leg and arm warmers that cover your limbs, etc. You don’t have to leave yourself at the mercy of the heat of the sun. Yes it’s warm, of course! This makes you sweat and lose those unwanted pounds without really trying and losing valuable time because you do this on your way to work. This is based on my actual experience! You could always bring your work clothes in a backpack and change at work, after a short rest and a cool shower at the office.
- Rain? You have to bike in the rain to know how much fun it is. Even without raingear - no, specially without rain gear.
My bike to work routine is almost like a bike for life journey everyday for me. I save money, I help the environment recover from the abuses of others, and I keep myself healthy, for myself and for my family, all at the same time.
Now, go and buy yourself a bike! And ride it, of course. It will certainly change your life to a better and healthier one.
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Hi. Please join the Bicycle to Work! LinkedIn networking group. Members pledge that they will try to ride their bicycle to work or on an errand at least once a week. Although the benefits should be obvious, let me outline them here.
Right now people in the industrialized world are facing two very grave problems: obesity and a growing scarcity of oil. Compounding this problem is the new food shortage brought about, in part, by the conversion of food cropland to bio-fuel crop production. Most people feel powerless to help, but there is one thing that we can do. Ride our bicycles to work.
If everyone would agree to ride their bikes to work one day per week we could cut oil consumption by as much as 10-15%. No one would argue that riding a bike burns more calories than driving the car. Although popular politically right now, most bio-fuels consume more energy than they produce. We would be much better to eat those bio-crops then use our own energy to transport us around.
So spread the word. Make it a movement! Bicycle to work one day a week and do your part to cut back obesity and the overuse of oil and precious cropland.
Just go to my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreylstevenson and you can click on the group to be included. While you are there, don’t forget to ask to link to my network of more than 9,000,000 like-minded professionals. I accept all invitations and look forward to meeting you.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for inviting me to join your group. I just signed in and joined.
I have been biking for 19 years. I live in Sunnyvale, and have biked to San Francisco 20 times, a distance of about 70 km. I have biked to Oakland about the same distance, and also to Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Gilroy. My nightly commute is 8.22 km one way.
Hi Thomas,
You certainly have more years biking than me. I only started in the year 2000. The distance I bike to work is 9.16 km. one way, just a tad more than yours. Always glad to hear from like minded people like you. Keep safe!
rinos last blog post..Still Using Fossil Fuel? Try Riding a Bike Instead