Feed of the BWC is coming soon....
LOVE
YOUR LOCAL BICYCLIST
Article by Stephen Box
For
almost two decades, Los Angeles has led the nation in traffic
congestion, a dubious distinction that results from our collective
commitment to getting “from here to there” in the
comfort of a single-occupant vehicle.
The
most effective solution to this problem is to simply leave
the car at home and to ride a bike.
If
riding a bike is not for you, at least give some respect to
those who choose to ride. After all, they are reducing congestion,
they are contributing to a healthier environment and, most
importantly, they are changing the world.
You
see, cyclists are the “Indicator Species” for a
healthy community.
Cyclists
favor well maintained streets, free of pot-holes and debris
in the curb lane. Good for cyclists, good for motorists!
Cyclists
also prefer streets with moderate vehicle volumes and speeds,
creating an environment that is safer and more hospitable for
all modes of travel. Good for cyclists, good for pedestrians!
The
presence of cyclists on the road benefits local businesses,
especially if the community has provided bike racks to encourage
cyclists. Good for cyclists, good for business!
An
increase in the number of cyclists on the road has a direct
relationship to a reduction in crime. Good for cyclists, good
for the community!
Well
maintained streets, shareable roads, moderate traffic volumes
and speeds, lower crime rates, and prosperous local businesses
are all elements of a healthy, sustainable and complete community.
Riding
a bicycle is not an absolute solution but any adjustments in
behavior add up and contribute to a collective remedy that
has the potential to change our world.
So
get out of your car, live locally as much as possible, ride
your bike and start thinking in terms of traveling “from
here to here!” |