People For Bikes

Sometimes life pushes you for the good. Last weekend Ada and I needed to get over to Ellen's house to pick up a small mattress to complete her "ship" (this is another story, but I cleaned out her closet and Ada build a cozy ship-bed in there). It had been raining but wasn't at the moment, so we discussed how we would get there and back. Ada, the kid who routinely tells me that she wishes she could be driven to school instead of walking the eight blocks, suggested we bike. She initially wanted to ride her bike, but I wasn't entirely sure how I would keep an eye on her while pulling the mattress in the trailer. (Ada isn't ready for the street, but I couldn't see negotiating the sidewalk and curbs for her and myself and the trailer.) So we settled on me biking with her in the trailer, which worked well.

I should probably mention that Ellen only lives seven blocks from us, so it is not as if this was a heroic undertaking on my part. I was just so thrilled that Ada was not lobbying to be driven.

At dinner that night Ada, Chris and I were discussing the idea of taking Ian and Mira out for a ride. I mentioned that we have one baby helmet but need another. We talked about who should pull the trailer. (Chris suggested me, Ada thought he should do it.) We brainstormed what might be a good path for this first ride with the babies. All details settled, Ada chiped: "let's go!" When I mentioned that it was already dark, Ada countered that I have a bike light.

"Yeah, but you don't," I said.

"Well, you can get me one."

Chris and I agreed, but suggested we might also try to bike during the day instead. (For one thing, this was better for the babies' schedule.)

After dinner Ada and Chris told stories and watched the Blazer game. I plopped down in the living room for some blog-reading. I surfed over to Lauren's blog and found this:

I love this video, and all the more for the fact that I recognize Portland's streets and bikeways. 

Lauren, in addition to being a cartoon goddess, is a committed and enthusiastic biker. A lot of the sketches she shares on her blog are based on things she saw while riding. She signed the pledge, and I did too.

The pledge is this:

I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.

To sign the pledge, click here. At the site you can also check out the goals of People For Bikes and see the latest news about bike-related public-policy in your area.