Commuting is a Pain the Ass. Why Bother?

Even in the 21st century, large percentages of people can't move from A to B without using a vehicle that spews carcinogenic fumes all over anyone who dares go outside. Climate change issues aside, this is unacceptable. 

A lot of people are broke, overweight, short on time, and long on pollution. That sounds overwhelming until you consider the profound impact the bike has on all these issues. 

Using a bike to run short errands (aka most of them) simultaneously shrinks waistlines, healthcare costs, budget deficits, air pollution, and revenues for the oil lobby while expanding whole new markets and economies to support infrastructure and gear that has been documented to dramatically boost commerce and everyone's quality of life.

It does all this right now for very little money. Please just ride a bike as much as you can and get everyone you can to do the same.

Mission

This site is about acting on some big problems all at once, today. Many of us need urgent improvements to our physical, environmental, and economic health. Legislation never seems fast or strong enough to do this. It is time for "Plan B": the plan that doesn't get all the attention but inevitably gets the job done. 

There are lots of ways to improve physical, environmental, and economic health out there but only cycling improves them all simultaneously and can begin with: 

• no money
• no toxic fuel
• no pending research or testing
• no funding
• no one else's cooperation (anyone can step outside and go)

Scaled massively, cycling would have the immediate impact on serious global problems for which everyone is searching:

• Health care costs would plummet as fitness escalates.
• Air quality would improve as traffic recedes.
• New economies would evolve to accommodate new demand for a network of bikeways and railways; not to mention, all the new markets for bikes and bike accessories. 

On top of that many find cycling fun.

Given all this, cycling is a prime candidate for Plan B. It has the greatest potential for both mass adoption and profound impact. Many people are already working hard to promote bike-friendly legislature. Lots of great achievements have been made. Nevertheless, the world still drives and the number of drivers is growing fast in the developing world. 

A lot of people are broke, overweight, short on time, and long on pollution. That sounds overwhelming until you consider the profound impact the bike has on all these issues.

In places like India, China, and Africa, they still have a chance to avoid the physical, environmental, and economic decline that results from a sedentary lifestyle and car-based economy but they are in danger of missing it. In America, we still have a chance to reverse the damage.

What to do?

Step 1
Take money that typically goes to cars, gas, cable television, video games, etc., and spend it on a bike instead. Use that bike for serious transportation, e.g. to go to the grocery store, not just for fun.

Once done, you will be one more rolling billboard for a better way to do things. People will notice because you will be thinner: quick. What's more, cycling gets blood pumping at rates that prevent a host of diseases.

Unlike other exercise, cycling is less painful because it distracts you with a feast of sounds, smells, and sensations. Best of all, it takes up less of your time because by combining your commute with your exercise.

The number of rolling billboards is already exploding in some places. Click this map to see where.

Step 2
Once you are inspiring others passively, try doing it actively: again, not with talk, votes, pocket change, petitions, but with personal action. Take money no longer needed for a gym membership and donate it to the many organizations that buy or donate bicycles for the developing world. Or take an old bike and donate that. There are charities that deliver bikes to the developing world like Word Bicycle Relief. There are also local bike shops like Mike's Bikes that ship bikes to Africa. Of course, it would be great if our governments spent money doing this instead of bailing out banks and car companies but they don't so collective personal action is "Plan B".

Step 3
Use the traditional channels for change and compel your representatives to act. Politicians hate sticking their necks out for things because they are often punished and rarely rewarded for it. Nevertheless, they love to surf a wave of popularity. Collective support for cycling-friendly legislation will give them a platform on which they can stand and promote. That, they'll do. Write the president, senators, and congresspeople, and tell them to facilitate the change in progress. Ask them to appear on a bike, not just for fun but, to get somewhere.

Conclusion
No speech or legislation is as compelling for change as seeing someone right next to you successfully doing things differently.

This is Bicycle Commuting in Houston: cycling as serious transport and getting others to do the same. This is Plan B for improving physical, environmental, and economic health around the world right now.