Every time I see a cyclist holding up a line of traffic I silently (and sometimes not so silently) cheer. Riding a bike feels like a small protest against a car-centric, carbon dependent society, a direct action that physically disrupts the flow of traffic.
I read once somewhere that riding a bike is one of the ways in which you can make daily decisions that manifest the changes that you want to see in the world. So it is for this reason that I am cycling to Paris: 100 or so bicycles reclaiming the streets, thwarting drivers' usual comings and goings. Not only is this mass bicycle action demonstrating a cleaner way to travel, it shows a growing movement of people adapting their lifestyles for a more liveable planet. It shows the supportive community nature of the climate movement, from stopping off in Balcombe to share stories of positive change to being provided dinner by the Real Junk Food Project in Brighton. It shows that people from all different walks of life, taking part in this ride for various reasons, are coming together on a set of shared values. It shows that the change we want to see is already happening.
I might not be the fittest person, and I'm not sure I've cycled ever more than 40 miles in one go - I only started cycling a year ago. I don't know if I've ever even seriously challenged myself physically. Also, I'm really only at the beginning of my journey of environmental and social activism. But what more of a better way to start? This ride will seal the deal on my commitment to climate justice and to supporting the transition towards a sustainable, liveable future for all. There's no going back!
I read once somewhere that riding a bike is one of the ways in which you can make daily decisions that manifest the changes that you want to see in the world. So it is for this reason that I am cycling to Paris: 100 or so bicycles reclaiming the streets, thwarting drivers' usual comings and goings. Not only is this mass bicycle action demonstrating a cleaner way to travel, it shows a growing movement of people adapting their lifestyles for a more liveable planet. It shows the supportive community nature of the climate movement, from stopping off in Balcombe to share stories of positive change to being provided dinner by the Real Junk Food Project in Brighton. It shows that people from all different walks of life, taking part in this ride for various reasons, are coming together on a set of shared values. It shows that the change we want to see is already happening.
I might not be the fittest person, and I'm not sure I've cycled ever more than 40 miles in one go - I only started cycling a year ago. I don't know if I've ever even seriously challenged myself physically. Also, I'm really only at the beginning of my journey of environmental and social activism. But what more of a better way to start? This ride will seal the deal on my commitment to climate justice and to supporting the transition towards a sustainable, liveable future for all. There's no going back!
