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Bicycle Conservation
Conserve energy and cut down
on fuel costs by riding your bike.
by Alyice Edrich
All materials copyrighted
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The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man.
Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish.
Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.
-- Iris Murdoch
When I was growing up we walked everywhere. If it was too far to walk, we took a bus. And only on very rare occasions did we pay for a
taxi-cab. For us, cars were luxuries we simply couldn’t afford. And not owning a car was a sign of our financial struggles—of being on
the verge of poverty.
We walked a little over a half mile to school in the pouring rain and in the heat of the sun and the only time we ever rode the bus was
when we were bused to a new school district in hopes of giving us “poor kids” a better chance.
Grocery shopping was always an all day excursion. While we had a local farmer’s market available for stocking up on things we could
carry home in our arms, the real grocery shopping took place nearly four miles away. We’d wake early, put on our walking shoes, and take
a leisurely stroll to the supermarket. Once there we spent a good hour or two stocking up on groceries. After paying for the groceries,
mom would call a taxi-cab. Riding in the taxi-cab was always the best part of the trip—aside from being able to pick out our favorite
cookies from the nearby bakery.
Upon entering junior high, mom was finally able to afford a reliable, used car and we were living the good life. While we still had to
walk to and from school, grocery shopping was much, much easier—as was visiting my grandmother in another city.
Upon entering high school, we moved to a better area of town which meant my commute to school was a short quarter mile walk one way. And
by this time, mom had leased a rather nice “luxury” car—and had the option of trading it out every two years, which she did like
clockwork.
When I graduated from college, however, it was right back to taking the bus. I couldn’t afford a car of my own so I’d walk nearly a half
mile to the bus stop, take the bus to college, then walk nearly a mile to my job. After work, I’d walk back to the college and then take
the bus home.
So by the time I could actually afford a car of my own, there was no turning back. I never wanted to see another bus again. And I
definitely didn’t want to be caught dead walking or riding a bike around town, or anywhere else for that matter.
Then one day I had kids and found bike riding to be a fun way to get them out of the house and into the fresh air. It was no longer a
sign of poverty. I did, after all, own a car.
We’d ride down to the local park where we’d picnic and play on the playground equipment, then we’d bike back home and take a nice little
nap. On days when my husband was off, we’d make it an all day excursion and ride to the beach. Once there we’d play in the water, eat at
a local eatery, and then begin our journey back home. If the weather was bad or it got too dark, we’d call mom to pick us up.
But I just couldn’t get myself to walk around town. Every time I attempted do so I’d hear this small little voice say to me, “Look at
that girl walking down the street. She must be really poor. She can’t even afford a bicycle.”
Years passed and we moved to a small town of 10,000 in the northern part of Wisconsin. Everything was within walking distance: the
grocery store, the library, the video store, the movie theater, and even the local beach/lake and rivers. It was so quiet, so peaceful,
and so beautiful that one couldn’t help but walk around town just to enjoy the serenity of it all. Finally, the stereotype that had
continued to play in my head disappeared. I was no longer intimidated by walking, I rather enjoyed it.
Fast forward to today. I now live in a town of 2,000 people and everything is once again within walking distance. I love my early
morning bike rides, my afternoon jaunts, and my evening walks. The mornings are for clearing my head and helping me appreciate what God
has given me. The afternoons (thanks to summer) are for connecting with my daughter—a ride that I truly cherish as she opens her heart
to me and I learn more about the person she’s becoming. And the evenings are for de-stressing and reconnecting with my husband.
So today, as you search for more ways to conserve energy and save on the ridiculously high cost of gas, I’d like you to think about how
far I’ve come and encourage you to take a second look at bicycling and walking for yourself—for your families.
In the words of Grant Petersen, “Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.”
About The Author:
Alyice Edrich is a mixed media artist, freelance writer, and aspiring photographer. She enjoys creating things that bring joy
to others. Visit our her blog, Coming Home, to check out her latest art. Or
stop by her resume site, AlyiceEdrich.net to learn how you can hire her for your
next project.
* This article is available for your publication, for a F-E-E.
This article may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
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