Little Things to Save Our Little Ones

Here's the deal; I read lots of stuff telling us how the world is in a bunch of trouble and will spontaneously combust any minute now if we don't stop doing this or don't start doing that to save it. Most have good intentions and are trying to get the message out that we are destroying the world, if not for us, for our children and their children. Many stories point out what is wrong, and not much is said about what we can do about it. Some point out many things we can do, but unless you are already doing them or are already in that mindset, they are just simply too overwhelming for the average person to relate.
What I am mulling over is a way to create a list of things that the average person can do. These would be little, everyday things that would be the small steps to larger things. These things don't need the pretense that they are to "save the world". They can just be little things to make the person feel better about themselves and their environment. And, this would be not just a list, but an explanation of how-to and how it would benefit the person and the environment. I'm sure something like this does exit out there in many forms, but I will make an attempt to put together something, if for no other reason than to keep my own actions in check.

Car Sin City

Last Friday I had the day off, so I did one of my favorite things and took the car in for service. As much as I wish me and my family were car free, we just aren't there. We have one small car that my wife uses and I try to keep that car as reliable as possible. So, I took the car in for its scheduled oil change and wheel alignment that was due since we just had 4 new tires installed. Yep, getting the tires was a lot of fun, too. I took our car to the neighborhood service center and dropped it off. This was in very much a business district. The service was going to take at least 2 hours, so I headed off for a walk. I knew there was a bike shop not far away. As I started walking, I realized just how much this area was mainly built just to serve the automobile. I passed dozens of businesses that catered to either buying or maintaining the auto. There were new and used car dealerships, car rentals, all types of service including general fix-it shops, brakes, air conditioning, tires, collision repair, painting, upholstery, and so on. One can only appreciate the volume of businesses by walking this area. As you drive by in a car doing 40 or 50 MPG, it just doesn't register. I made it to the bike shop in only a few minutes. Actually, I made it there too soon, as they weren't even open yet. So, I killed some time at a coffee shop, then looked around a nearby office supply store for a bit. I then headed back to the bike store and perused the wonderful, very expensive bikes. Since this was a Friday morning and they had just opened, there were not many customers. I had the fortune of being asked about 10 times if I needed any help. There are always plenty of people offering assistance when you are just looking, but of course there are none to be found when you actually need their help. Well, after a few minutes looking around, I was wishing I was riding my bike rather than waiting on my car service. After a couple of hours are up, I head back to the service center. I see the car is still up on the lift. After waiting a few minutes, I decide to head out again for a walk in the other direction. I pass yet more car dealers this way. After a few blocks I make my way to another bike shop. A little more time looking around, and even more wishing I was riding, then a quick stop for some lunch and back to the service center. It is now over 3 hours and the car is almost ready. Another 10 or 15 minutes waiting and it is finally ready.
Now that my bank account is a bit smaller and I have shot over half of a vacation day, I have our car back with a fresh oil change and wheel alignment. Spending some time on foot in a car-centric district really gives you an appreciation for just how much our economy gains from everyone driving. And by that I mean that the economy as a whole gains, although I think many, many people lose out from it. It sure would have been nice to take the money I spent on servicing the car and made a down payment on a sweet multi-thousand dollar bike!

June 11

Two years ago today my grandfather passed away. This makes it what I guess is called a bittersweet time for me, as tomorrow is my birthday. I think about him often, and especially today I am taking some time to reflect on his life. The more I reflect, the more I realize that my values and views on many things in life somehow must have come from him. He was always a man who neither wanted, needed, or asked for much. He seemed to be able to make do with what he had on hand. He commuted to work in a used VW Beetle. He saw automobiles an simply a mode of transportation. They were not status symbols or vanity items. He even had a small farm and never needed and SUV. Once he hauled a calf in the back of a Beetle with the rear seat removed. He raised many of the vegetables that his family ate. For a while he raised some cattle. He never intentionally hurt anyone or anything. He never saw a reason to pay someone to do a job that he could do himself. However, he was one to work with family or friends when needed. My grandfather served in the military during WW II. He never talked about it. I think he was proud to serve his country, but probably did not stay one minute longer than he had to. He always voted for the independent person in elections. He knew the typical Republican or Democratic candidate was just more of the same status-quo. I am sure he knew that his vote was "wasted", but I think it was more of the principle. He never seeked fame or fortune, and although he never made a lot of money, he was never poor.
When me and my sister were young, he always had time for us when we would visit. He did not seem to mind letting us "help" around the farm. I don't think I ever saw him loose his patience. My grandfather lived a fairly long and good life. He was a decent, down to earth practical man, and I miss him.

Bicycle Accommodations

I was just browsing the Bicycle Fixation web site today, and ran across this interesting article. The author Gina Morey writes about our automobile infrastructure and its lack of accommodations for cyclists. She specifically gets into the problems related to where you park your bike once you arrive at your destination, whether it be a store or your work. This is something that doesn't get mentioned much. Everyone likes to talk about bike lanes, which routes are the best for cycling, etc. But, what do you do when you want to stop by a store on your ride? A few establishments actually have decent bike parking facilities. Most are lucky to have any sort of bike rack. And the ones that do are not fit to use. Some are around the side of the store, out of site so that a potential bike thief has plenty of opportunity. Sometimes you might find a decent light pole or sign you can lock up to.
I once visited a dentist office using my bike, and upon arriving did not find a bike rack of any sort. I found a handicap parking sign nearby, so I locked the bike to it. I was out of the parking spot, not obstructing any pedestrian or auto activity in any way. When I came out from the dentist office, I found a note taped to the top tube of my bike. It said if I parked my bike there again it would be taken away by the property management. I was instructed to park at the nearby trolley station. I did not visit that dentist again. I should have contacted the property manager, but I have no idea who it is now. I am sure regular bike riders have encountered numerous situations like this. One does have to take parking into consideration when looking for an establishment to visit by bike. Unfortunately, the number of people who attempt to utilize this practical mode of transportation for shopping or commuting are so low that most managers or owners don't even consider them. I was a bit surprised at Gina's discovery that even places like Whole Foods hadn't considered bike parking. Actually, the more I think about it, it does make sense. Stores like Whole Foods seem to be more tailored to the yuppie crowds, who are more likely to drive yuppie SUVs than actually ride a bike for transportation. They are more likely to think that switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and using reusable grocery bags will save the world than reduce or give up driving an automobile.
I think Gina has the right idea. We need to contact the people who can make the changes needed to accommodate the few and brave utilitarian cyclists out there.
I have often wanted to stop by one store or another while on my commute, but after riding by and seeing no bicycle parking facility, just kept on going. I decided to wait until a day I had to drive to work to make the stop. I hate the idea of needing to drive to work just so I can feel comfortable in having a parking space when I stop by a store on the way home. I wonder how many cyclists feel the same way - they would shop by bike or commute to work, but without any decent bike parking, just give up on the idea. I am fortunate that I can park my bike in the building where I work, but if I could not, I am not sure if I would be riding. If places of work and stores could be accommodating of the brave cyclists, they may go a long way in increasing bicycling as a viable mode of transportation.