Originally Posted by TxBiker
I My office suite is next door to my local state representative. I am privileged to meet him or his secretary in the hallway and simply discuss cycling in a non-confrontational manner. Again...just "being" me in the hallway continues to prove to be better (IMO).
One more thought and I will end this (since it is growing longer than anticipated). As I cycle, I try and keep my time open enough that if an opportunity exists to stop and explain my position more, I can. I do not plan my routes and departure times with very little options. If a young child asks me a question; or a parent wants to know more, I want to maintain the liberty to step off my bike and spend a little extra time with them to help explain my position. To me....it is all about "community" whether or not they switch to bicycles. At least from then on, they will see me and give me plenty of room on the road!
Great thread. Thanks!
Chris
This reminds me that I make an effort to stop to help cyclists who seem to have mechanical problems. They are usually recreational cyclists who need help. As you are fixing their chain or flat or whatever, you have their ear. I keep it to one sentance like "Well I don't have a car anymore but I know the time we spend fixing flats or whatever is way less than the time a car driver spends just pumping gas." Or when they get all thankful that you saved them from walking 10 miles I might say something like "Oh so many times cyclists have helped me, we have to stick together." to let them know there is a caring community out here. Stopping to help is a little thing but it is a chance to widen a recreational biker's conceptual horizons.
Your comment about the representative reminds me that when I used to commute through downtown I'd try to route myself past the whitehouse. I'd hope the prez might look out and see someone using a bike for transportation. Even if, when the presidents look out, they put me in the same category as the lady who camps out on the sidewalk protesting our war economy, its still one more bike person that they see. Someday a light will click on in one of their heads, probably not this president but maybe. Or maybe when Jenna is president she'll get a clue.