Saturday, October 16, 2010

Why we ride for green

In the wake of what happened in the gulf and the unavoidable evidence of rapid climate change, we have vowed to limit our own transportation to biking, walking, and public transit.

Although it has been difficult, the biggest difficulty has been explaining to people why we are doing this. Most people don’t understand. So I have been wondering are we crazy? Can we do this, why are we doing this?

Then last weekend as we left our house at 6am, not a car on the road, a sky full of stars, and an icy wind at our cheeks, some form of answer did come. I realized that as much as it is difficult to bike 2 1/2 hours to Saltsping for Thanksgiving dinner (and back) in one day, as much as it takes great effort, it is so much more painful not to do it. To sit back and watch the world go to hell is unbearable and is far worse then the effort of riding.

So we are doing what we can with what we have.

And I have to say it feels fucking fantastic! The despair that I have lived with, the despair that I know we all feel, the sorrow that I saw in Katie’s eyes as we watched the plums of oil pour into the gulf on the news, the pain of seeing the wild pelicans covered in sludge, the deep pain of knowing that we can be so much better at caring for this earth, is transforming from hopelessness into action. And so I say let us begin. Let us no longer wait for tomorrow, let us not wait for something else, someone else, or some other time. It will not be easy, we will want to give up, but it is so worth it, this planet, which has given us everything, is so unbelievably worth it.

With this blog we will share our hardships and joys, our doubts and fears and our freedoms along the road as we pedal for a greener future.

10 comments:

  1. Sounds like quite a project, Dion. :)

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  2. Thanks for your sincere ritual of personal responsibility and healing the earth.
    May it inspire beings!

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  3. "I realized that as much as it is difficult to bike 2 1/2 hours to Saltsping for Thanksgiving dinner (and back) in one day, as much as it takes great effort, it is so much more painful not to do it. To sit back and watch the world go to hell is unbearable and is far worse then the effort of riding."

    this is my favourite part, the essence, the balancing scenario that many of us face every day. it all comes down to this. how much do we care about convenience? the planet? other people? ourselves? you both continue to be an inspiration.

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  4. Thanks everyone so much for your comments! More to come.... I think Katie is working on a song, if so we are in for a treat.

    Much love

    D

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  5. Hey check this out. Some dude stole your idea.

    http://www.tricycle.com/blog/?p=2505

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  6. Hey Trevor
    Wonderful news! Thank you for this link....

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  7. Dear Dionne and Kate,
    Thanks for the blog. It is exciting to see more cyclists on the road. I have noticed the commuter numbers going up! :) I commute by bicycle with my children . It is so wonderful ! I have two chariots in tow with three to four children. My oldest daughter (7) now commutes up to twenty six km . We just get on our bikes and go. We ride for joy, to be active , to discover, lead a self propelled life.... Any earth saving is a bonus!
    Yours truly
    Tarah mcpherson

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  8. Way to go Dion and Katie! Justine and Kate (5) and I have been car-free and loving it for three years now. We go most places by bike or on foot, and sometimes use a bus or the train. But, alas we rent a car every few months when there seems to be no option, and sometimes I have to take a plane.

    I so admire your decision to go totally PPPT-free and wish you good luck and (mostly) strong resolve to see it through for a year and beyond. The only way to change the world is to live by setting an example, one (or two) people at a time, and you're doing it!

    Steve Earle

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  9. Thank you Tarah
    Thank you Steve

    Thank you both so much for sharing with us your own commitment and love of cycling. It is amazing how much is actually possible on bikes... And the amazing thing also is that it is fun, and so empowering.

    Much love
    to you both, and to both of your families.

    D&K

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