By Hans Noeldner

I am not riding a bicycle
I am untangling my nation from wars for oil

I am not riding a bicycle
I am joining forces with those who are small, and slow, and without armor

I am not riding a bicycle
I am searching for harmony with Earth’s limits

I am not riding a bicycle
I am being the village I want us to become

I am not riding a bicycle
I am creating fellowship for others to join me
Outside
Please
I am lonely

—–
Inspired by Lily Yeh, tele-speaker at the superb “Bringing Bioneers to Wisconsin” conference this past weekend.

(More from Hans)

Walking in Their Shoes
I believe sprawl opponents and pedestrian/bicycle/transit advocates should focus on persuading elected and appointed officials to undertake some of their day-to-day and week-to-week errands without driving. The only way to truly comprehend the possibilities, challenges, and impediments for non-automotive transportation is via visceral experience – i.e. spending time moving about one’s community sans the automotive “exoskeleton.” Convincing physically able public officials to do this could prove much more effective than lobbying them about specific legislation, ordinances, codes, resolutions, etc.

It is a simple matter of justice.

If you are committed to representing ALL of your constituents – including the ‘least among us,’ then you need to know what life is really like for them. And the reality is that about 1/3 of your constituents do not drive. Some are too young. Some are too old. Some cannot afford a car. Some drive as little as possible for environmental reasons, and because they believe that is their most powerful ‘vote’ against wars and occupations for oil.

So YOU need to walk in the shoes of pedestrians, crank in the shoes of bicyclists, and stand in the shoes of residents waiting to ride the bus. And not just when it is warm and sunny outside! It is on that cold, windy day in January – with half of the sidewalks covered by ice and curb cuts blocked with snow plowed off the streets – when you will fully appreciate the obstacles that schoolchildren and senior citizens and nannies pushing strollers face in merely trying to walk a few blocks. You will never understand what it is like for any of these people by sitting in a car or sitting on a padded chair in a climate-controlled office.

OK, so we want you to commit to some specific things that you will do via foot, via bicycle, via transit, at least once every week. It could be walking to your place of worship. It could be pedaling to the grocery store for milk and bread. It could be riding the bus when you go out for a drink on Friday night. But we want a promise from you – a promise you will honor week after week, month after month, year-round. And after you have done this for a while, we want to speak with you about your experiences and learn how it will affect your decisions as a public servant.