Catching a stray plastic bag (on purpose) with your foot as it flies across your path at just the right moment.. to me at least, is super satisfying.
Catching a plastic bag on your foot: kinda gross.
A world full of plastic trash on the ground and in our waterways: way grosser.
Keep on tree huggin’, however you roll ❤
Try something that scares you. Pursue something that fuels you.
But be warned, you probably will never want to go back.
Running a mental correlation between drivers who yell unrepeatably rude and unwarranted things from their truck window, and Drumpf 2016 bumper stickers.
(Thus far, we’re 1-1.)
To continue the theme this week.. Greenville has applied for a $100K grant to expand the Swamp Rabbit Trail through a north Greenville neighborhood this week, connecting a major traffic artery to the existing trail. And the connection point is right in my neighborhood! What I find most exciting about the proposed expansion of the trail is that it is evolving from a recreational, active community asset (which is great) into a legitimate mode of transportation (which is even better). The trail has revitalized communities and made it possible for people to not just get outside, but get to where they need to go (minus the car, the traffic, the cost, and the stress). That is powerful stuff.
The grant is judged on community support, so they have made it accessible online here. Just view the video, give it a thumbs up, and comment your thoughts!
If public transit impacts your life (and it does, you just may not realize it), you can share your story here with the American Public Transit Association.
The APTA site also has a nice summary of all the lovely things public transit provides:
It’s something we may not think about often, but access to transit is absolutely crucial for our communities. Once I started paying attention to it, it was amazing to me just how important it is to have a way to move people around safely, affordably and economically (read: not in cars). Unfortunately, the people who need it the most are often unable to advocate for it, and it’s something we have to fight for to get funding and support from at local, state and federal levels.
You can change the world. It starts with annoying telling your elected officials that access to public and alternative transit is a priority.
I recently joined the Palmetto Cycling Coalition (finally!), an organization that advocates for safer cycling and better infrastructure in our state. I was going to get a PCC ‘share the road’ license plate for my car, but then I ended up selling it altogether almost a year ago, so I figured the least I could do was become a member!
Chances are that your state has an organization like this, and that they are faced with a constant whack-a-mole battle of fighting insane legislation introduced by seriously misguided elected officials. Examples include South Dakota suggesting cyclists should dismount for passing cars and Missouri introducing an amendment that would require a 15 foot orange flag on bicycles (I actually just now fully digested that… Fifteen. Freakin. Feet. Cue circus music.)
Sadly, these are just a couple of examples of what our lawmakers in Congress like to spend their time doing. These laws are presented as a way to protect cyclists, but don’t be fooled. Making cycling more difficult makes it more unsafe. Period.
The good news is, we also have wonderful advocacy organizations that make sure our rights to the road are protected. Take 5 minutes and join yours today.
And if you live in South Carolina, you can write your Senate rep and ask them to support positive legislation, such as H.3909, which defines e-assist bicycles, adds penalties for negligent operation of vehicles, and enforces stops for pedestrians at crosswalks.
Fight the good fight, and ride your bike!
Bikes on bikes on bikes.
Since this is one of the most common questions I get, I took a moment to snap a picture of my setup on a recent grocery run.
In my panniers I have about 35 lbs of groceries, including frozen items and almond milk. Since I don’t eat meat I can’t attest to hauling home any steaks etc, but if it’s hot out or I have longer than a 10-15 minute ride home, I pop cold items into an insulated bag inside my pannier. I usually disperse the weight on both sides but with the weight behind you, it doesn’t affect the handling of the bike all that much.
If I wanted to haul more home (or were going on tour), I could add a bag to the top of my rear rack, a frame pack, and front panniers. For groceries however, I find that just two panniers at a time has me spending less on groceries and wasting less food, while paying more attention to what I eat and thus eating better as a result.
Also, I cheat. I order things like cat food and litter on Amazon, and sometimes bulk foods on groupon goods. I did that even when I had a car, because lugging things around using what little upper body strength I have is just not my jam. I also will go with friends to Trader Joes on the opposite side of town, because.. Have you been there? Then I need not explain. It’s Trader Joe’s. When the bike network here expands to reach it safely, and I get a trailer attachment for my bike, my life will be complete.
rebelwithoutacar 