The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world’s most complicated problems.
There is an old proverb that says “may you live in interesting times.” And I believe we do. For the first time in our nation’s history, the average American child has a shorter life expectancy than his or her parents. Inactivity and obesity are compromising our health. Global warming is threatening our future. Congestion is eroding our patience and our mobility. These are truly interesting times.
Looking at these pressing issues; global warming, escalating obesity, increasing congestion - there is one common answer. The bicycle is a cure to much of what ails us. Its is an elegant, yet simple solution to many complex problems.
When I was young, my Mother taught me many valuable lessons, but none more important than ‘to whom much is given, much is required’. As the president of Trek Bicycles, I believe that I have been given much, but nothing more valuable than this opportunity to Change the World.
Yes, it sounds lofty and perhaps naïve, but with further reflection, the opportunity is not only real, I believe it is within reach.
This summer on a trip from Boulder back to Wisconsin, I asked myself a simple question; Is Trek doing enough to help change the world by making it a more bike friendly place? We have often taken a leadership role in advocacy, but I quickly came to the conclusion that we had a great opportunity and a great responsibility to do more. At Trek we came up One World Two Wheels - our commitment to get more people on bikes more often. Our goal is to increase the number of trips taken in the US by bike from .5 percent to 5.o percent by 2017.
This website is our portal to spreading not only the reasons to ‘go by bike’ but also how to get started. This cause is just like riding a bike - its all about momentum.
- John Burke, President, Trek Bicycles
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dogwits44 Says:
Thank you for committing your company to this goal. I am about to purchase my first bike in many years, and the issues you are talking about really resonate with me.
The more people use cars to get around, the more they create a world in which we depend upon cars to get around. It’s time to shift our thinking - and the thinking of our community planners - to welcome the presence of bicycles in the transportation system. We have a long way to go in most places before people believe they can use a bike to get a gallon a milk and not risk being run down by an SUV.
Calvin
Ryan Leech Says:
Congrats on such a fantastic initiative!
I am a sponsored rider with Norco Bikes from up in Vancouver Canada; Norco recently started a green team. I remember seeing this campaign at a recent event, and will be sharing the ideas with the company.
It’s all about momentum, the more of it the better, and with examples such a the 1 World 2 Wheels program, it makes it just that much easier for other companies to take action.
Ride on….
Rebecca Says:
Hi Ryan, well put! it’s great to see the movement of “go by bike” gathering momentum. Thanks for your energy and enthusiasm.
Sue Says:
Bicycles are picking up a lot of momentum around here, too… so why is it that it’s in places with wintertime that are so bicycle friendly?
Rebecca Says:
That’s a good question, Sue. I was in Chicago last week on a snowy, cold night and there were cyclists everywhere, most with ski goggles on. you know the saying–when the going gets tough….
Vic Lindal Says:
Fantastic idea to get our world on bikes.
Last May as part I rode my bicycle from Victoria BC to Manitoba (about half way across North America)
I am 70 and did this to bring awareness to the number one disease in North America.
You ask what that is “Procrastination” I rode my Trek Performance Hybrid with my special tent trailer from TonysTrailers.com (check out You Tube and do a search on Vic Lindal to see me setting up the tent.
The key is we must practice what we preach.
I plan to use your material to deliver a presentation to Toastmasters on Saturday.
Combine the Bike and the Bus.(we have great bike racks on the buses )
Vic
Syed Saiful Alam Shovan Says:
Fuel Consumption and Environmental Impact of Rickshaw Bans in Dhaka
Most trips in Dhaka are short in distance, usually one to five kilometers. These trips are perfect of Rickshaws. Rickshaws are cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Rickshaws support a significant portion of the population, not only the pullers, but also their families in the villages, the mechanics who fix the rickshaws, as well as street hawkers who sell them food. From the raw materials to the finished product the Rickshaw employs some 38 different professions. Action needs to be taken to support the Rickshaw instead of further banning it in Dhaka. The combined profits of all Rickshaws out earn all other passenger transport modes (bus, rail, boats and airlines) combined. In Dhaka alone, Rickshaw pullers combine to earn 20 million taka a month.
We think that over the coming holiday of Eid du Ajah, new Rickshaw bans will be put into action on roads in Dhaka. Eid was used in the past to place new bans on roads in Dhaka. Last Eid many roads were declared Rickshaw free without public support or approval. By banning Rickshaws roads are clogged with increased private car use as well as increased parking by cars. Banning of Rickshaws on major roads increases the transportation costs for commuters. Not only due to longer trips to avoid roads with bans in effect, but also due to actually having to take more expensive forms of transport such as CNG or Taxi, where in the past a Rickshaw would suffice. The environmental impact of banning Rickshaws is obvious because it exchanges a non-motorized form of transport for a motorized form of transport, thus increasing the pollution and harming the environment. Rickshaw bans harm the most vulnerable in society, mainly the sick, poor, women, children and the elderly; generally those who can not afford or do not feel comfortable on other forms of public transport. To ban Rickshaws also hurts small businesses that rely on them as a cheap and reliable form of transporting their goods. Rickshaws are ideal for urban settings because they can transport a relatively large number of passengers while taking up a small portion of the road. In 1998 the data showed that Rickshaws took up 38% of road space while transporting 54% of passengers in Dhaka . The private cars on the other hand, took up 34% of road space while only transporting 9% of the population (1998 DUTP). This data does not include the parking space on roads that cars take up in Dhaka . If included this would further raise the amount of space taken up by private cars. Every year the Rickshaw saves Bangladesh 100 billion taka in environmental damage.
The government makes many efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka but with no success. Blaming Rickshaws for traffic congestion and subsequently banning them from major roads has not had the desired affect. Traffic is still as bad now as it was before the Rickshaws were banned on major roads. Rickshaws thus can not be seen as the major cause of traffic congestion. Instead one should look towards private cars and private car parking on roads as the major cause of traffic congestion. The space gained by banning Rickshaws is often used for private car parking. The current trend in transport planning reduces the mobility of the majority for the convenience of the minority. The next time a ban on Rickshaws on another road is discussed please take into consideration who is being hurt and who is being helped. For a better transport system in Dhaka we need to create a city wide network of Rickshaw lanes. If this is done Dhaka can reduce its fuel usage dramatically as well its pollution. We ask your help in our fight to keep Dhaka a Rickshaw city. Any information or help is very much appreciated and sought after. I write you this letter to describe the difficulties we are facing and some solutions but they are by no means exhaustive and we look forward to your help and input.
Volunteer of
Save Environment Movemen
Email: shovan1209@yahoo.com