There's no reason to put away your fun in the winter.

Bicycling along New York's Hudson River in all four seasons.

Must You Put the Bike Away in the Fall?

For those who regularly drive, the idea of using auto alternatives all year round sounds very surprising.  The reason is that these people have grown up with the belief that the environment must be changed to suit a person's comfort.

Those who walk, cycle, or use public transportation, believe the opposite is true.  They dress in layers and allow their clothing and/or the body heat produced through exercise to keep them comfortable.  This same philosophy has protected humanity since fabrics were first created.

The first instance occurred in New York City when 19" of snow fell upon Central Park.  City dwellers felt glad that the storm occurred on a holiday because otherwise the city would have been shut down.  Obviously because those who hold controlling positions in New York (excepting of course 'metro card' Mike Bloomberg) are auto-dependant. During these extreme conditions car drivers were reduced to transporting themselves only within the confines of their houses.  However while traveling on my bicycle that day, I waved hello to skiers, sledders, pedestrians, and even bus drivers who were able to get around with little difficulty.

The next summer in New York a major blackout brought the residents to their knees.  All of the residents who put their faith in cars, air-conditioners, and elevators woke up to a terrifying surprise.  Once again I was able to travel through the building where I was employed because I used the stairs regularly.  I assisted those in my building who had never seen the stairwells, and rode home past desperately trapped auto drivers and exhausted pedestrians.  Of course the situation was only partially resultant on their lifestyle.  The city governments have for over 70 years emphasized the speed and convenience of motorized transportation over individual muscle.  Despite the superior efficiency and flexibility of human tissue, it cannot withstand impacts from two or three tons of metal.

Finally after moving to Portland, I was once again reminded of Global Climate Change when over a dozen inches of snow fell on the city.  Without surprise, my suburban co-workers were trapped in their homes with no escape.  Meanwhile in my more pedestrian friendly community I was able to run errands, shop at the supermarket, and even go out for pizza.  Suburbanites seem to believe that they can have their cake and eat it to.  They expect to be able to enjoy a lifestyle far from neighbors while still benefiting from all 'modern conveniences.'  Unfortunately it is unsustainable to attempt to provide services to thousands of spread out urban fringe residents.  As the inhabitants of Southern California recently found out, services such as fire protection become difficult to obtain at the most critical times.  If those victims (of course since they contributed to the deforestation I try to avoid calling them victims) of the California fires had instead lived in denser developments, they would have enjoyed faster fire department response times and there would have been less flammable land between residences.  

With natural disasters up ten-fold over the past 15 years, the number of days in which the technology dependant Americans become victims of their own carelessness will similarly increase.  The big question is this: Will Americans get out of their cars and air conditioned homes to endure the more hostile climate before it becomes uninhabitable?  Or will we continue denying what our senses tell us until we're reduced to a bare subsistence lifestyle.

Automobile adds are filled with slogans telling the public that their automobile will provide them with freedom.  Ironically the product produces the exact opposite as their owners are shackled with huge payments, frequent repairs, and endless traffic.  However these inconveniences will soon be eclipsed by the overwhelming misery endured by those who outlive the world's oil supply.

It is my hope in writing this page that visitors take seriously the information presented here and show a willingness to accept alternatives to the typical American lifestyle.

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