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A salute to cyclers
Selfless or just plain crazy?
By Lacy Kutz
We need to appreciate cyclists and not curse at them in the shelter of our emissions-producing cars.
Even though I have lived in Wisconsin all my life, winter still forces me into hibernation. It takes intense self-motivation to make the decision to stand outside in the freezing cold and wait for the ever-tardy bus. I even dread the luxury of getting into my freezing car in the morning and waiting for it to heat up. If I would rather curl up in ball and die before doing either of these things, I cannot imagine the discipline, motivation, balls and possibly insanity of those that cycle throughout the eight months of our gruesome winters. We should appreciate cyclers more for their efforts in making this world a better place.
Former UW-Milwaukee student Nick Chandler says, “I ride because it makes me feel better about what I’m doing for the environment.” Many people choose to bike because they understand the environmental damage that automobiles cause. What many people do not realize is that these bikers are choosing to reduce pollution all the while pollution is directly affecting them. Especially in big cities, cyclists end up breathing in much more exhaust and pollution, which is one of the reasons cyclist run red lights, to escape the exhaust of idling cars. We need to appreciate cyclists and not curse at them in the shelter of our emissions-producing, yet concealed from those very emissions, cars.
UWM students are becoming more environmentally friendly. There are recycling bins all around campus, and the Go Green campaign is in full force, promoting awareness and asking people to change. Although it may be difficult to ask people to change their lives completely, we can ask people to make small changes in their everyday lives that will help to make a big difference. Recycling, taking shorter showers, car pooling or using energy-saving light bulbs will make a big difference without requiring much effort. It does, however, require an enormous amount of physical and mental effort to bike, especially in cold weather.
Bicyclists also help to combat growing gas prices. Groups like The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin advocate on behalf of cyclists. Their Web site states, “In this era of high gasoline prices, concerns over global warming and public health, interest in bicycling continues to rise.”
Cyclists, in a way, have taken a stance against high gas prices through nonparticipation. Nick Chandler also comments that biking is “faster and cheaper.” Gas prices have skyrocketed in the past few years, making it difficult for people to budget their everyday expenses. By not giving in to the demands of oil companies, cyclists make their voices clear. They will not tolerate outrageous gas prices, and there are ways to get around the monopolization of oil.
Thank you, bikers. Not only do you have to deal with treacherous weather conditions, insensitive automobile drivers and taunting buses, but you are often underappreciated. The affects of your selflessness and commitment is not something you may not be able to see, but please know that you are making a difference and your community appreciates you.
> Comments
carolyn on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:36 PM:
Acutally, bicyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic than car drivers. There is more emissions that are released in the small space of car then others. Thanks for appreciating us winter bikers, but this is one reason I ride year-round.