// Keep Riding
Posted on Monday, January 2nd, 2012
The cycling community has certainly accomplished much this year. We collectively rode a tremendous distance. Major cities have begun to see the benefits of adapting to bicycle friendly environments. Many new cyclists are now enjoying their newfound freedom. I personally witnessed some super cool things. I learned much more about the accessibility of biking throughout the Bay Area. I found some trails and bike paths previously unknown to me, and along the way discovered new beauty in old neighborhoods.
There have been some awesome innovations in biking technology this year. Check out these cool lighting systems someone came up with. Or how about this nifty accessory to have your iPhone available while you ride. One of the positives of the poor economy lately is that it is forcing people to turn to alternative modes of transportation. Naturally, with more people biking comes more technological advancement.
One good thing about Europe’s high gas prices is that it turns people away from cars. Never thought I’d say it, but perhaps our gas prices should be higher. People get very power happy with their hands on a steering wheel and foot on a gas pedal. We become so accustomed to it that we forget that it’s a huge, powerful piece of metal that we are pushing along very fast. Every day I see hundreds, if not thousands, of cars driving along with only one person inside. This is ridiculously inefficient. Many of these people aren’t even going that far. With the terrible traffic here in the Bay, especially the East Bay stretch of freeway from Richmond to Emeryville, the time difference between cycling and driving is probably not even that significant. Your body will thank you for it.
In an overweight nation, changes must be made. Sitting all day at a computer is bad enough, but compile this with driving home to a TV screen along with eating fast food, and we are creating a recipe for our own demise.
But, as I said, things are improving. I have high hopes for 2012. Forget about that end of the world nonsense. We’ve witnessed and survived plenty of “raptures” in the past. However, I do believe a more collective consciousness is developing, and it will prove to have positive benefits. We shall be the beneficiary and bicycles may be the benefactor. I have been focusing more on my breath recently, breathing strictly though my nose in order to create and maintain an internal heat. Every breath, especially when I ride. I intend to ride more this coming year, especially now that I am occupied with an office job. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, in preparation for an awesome year!
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” ~ Albert Einstein