|
| Blog |
Me and My Bike
5/29/2012
by gipl
Here's a bike reflection from Susan Kibler, our summer intern from Georgia Tech's Institute of Public Policy. She's only been here a week and she's already beating us at biking because she rides EVERY DAY! You'll hear more from Susan about her work with environmental justice next week.
 In 2008, I was commuting a total of six miles a day in my car. For the previous two years, I had been promising myself that I would start making that commute on my bike, which was spending its days collecting dust. I knew the obvious benefits of bicycle commuting—less environmental pollution, better health, and a great parking place—in my office. Still every morning, I walked past my bike on the way to my car.
When gas prices dramatically increased, I dusted off my bike, mapped out a route to work, and became a bicycle commuter.
On the first day, the not-so-obvious benefit of commuting revealed itself. No longer isolated by 2500 pounds of car, I engaged with my environment. I chatted with the woman who was always walking her dog when I left for work. I reconnected with an old friend who ran with a group along the same route I rode to work. I saw a glorious sunrise. And I became a bicycle commuter.
Today, I am still a bicycle commuter, making most of my trips (not just commuting) by bicycle. Every now and then, there are bad days on the bike, near misses with cars and rude drivers, drenching rain and bone-chilling cold.
But, there are far more good days than bad, and the joy that comes with transporting myself via the bike is beyond compare.
Join us this Thursday for a Bike for Breakfast event to meet Susan and the rest of the GIPL Staff. We'll have pastries, a mobile bike repair tent, and giveaways from 7:30 - 10 a.m. See you there!
Tags:
Bicycles,
Events,
Interns
Comments:
 |  |  Share
|
|
|
