Earth Day Commutes
 

I didn't see anything different on my way in today, but today would be a good day to stress the environmental aspects of bike commuting in bigger cities. Did anything like that happen around you today?

Is today Earth Day?

I saw bald eagles circling before I left for home yesterday.

There was a nasty headwind going home. Is the Earth mad at me?

If so, this post is the only hint I had

I work in a semi-formal office in Manhattan and wear work attire for my almost 5-mile commute. I have excellent transit options so I usually don't ride in bad weather. By mid-afternoon Monday it was raining - not entirely predicted, but I accepted that I'd have a wet ride home. I live at the northern end of Central Park but I avoid riding through it on my afternoon commute because the southern half is so overcrowded that the bike lane on Central Park West heading uptown is safer. In the April shower I had the Park almost to myself. It wasn't cold, the trees are flowering in whites and pinks, and flowers are blooming all over. The large bodies of water and wooded areas smell fresh and new, and I enjoyed the ride despite getting soaked. As Earth Days in the big city go, this one was memorable.

My employer sent me an Earth Day message... pretty rich, considering.

We celebrated Easter Monday on the same day as Earth Day (22 APR), so I didn't hear a single message about Earth day. There was no commute in most of Europe, hence no message.

I rode home in the rain on Monday too. It reminded me of riding my motorcycle in the rain - most people are terrified of it but it's not bad when you're prepared and can be pretty serene when there are less people out.

Nothing here.

I did see a local news clip from a local Earth Fest, which featured a guy riding on an exercise bike.

I would just like to point out that today is Arbor Day here in Massachusetts, and a few other states as well :thumb:

Thanks for sharing.

Reminds me of that one time when I was caught off guard by an brief but intense mid-season rain shower wearing only thin gloves. But man, despite the rain, my hands felt glowing warm and I remember it being somewhat of a new feeling; I mean, it was the kind of warmth you wish you could have in winter time. Something very sweet, comfortable. Was a fun ride!