|
| Tired of the snow? It’s almost gone! |
First, I’d like to remind folks that Spring is coming, and with Spring I expect that the temperature sensitive cyclists will start peaking out again, finding their cycling gear a bit tight after a winter of hibernation. To welcome these Spring flowers back onto the road, we’ll have another breakfast IceBike to Work to close the season. Cyclists, pedestrians, bus riders, and those car pooling are invited to hang out and chat about how the sunshine is chasing away their blues and the world seems born anew. This is a great time of year for positive thoughts.
IceBike (and Walk) to Work
Friday, March 20th
East Hartford at
Maddie’s from 7:00AM to 8:30AM
Hartford at
Ashley’s from 7:00AM to 8:30AM
Just show up!
Those that are new (or returning) to cycling for transportation or commuting should take some time to learn about safe riding, and how to operate around car drivers who are feeling careless and randy as the Spring approaches. I highly recommend taking the
Traffic Skills 101 course that will be offered on Sunday, April 12th in Hartford. Half of bike crashes are “bike alone” – your skills can be improved). Half of crashes with car are “cyclist at fault” – which can be improved significantly once a cyclist is trained in safe vehicular cycling. You have direct control over 75% of the crash causes, and you will learn how you can indirectly manage the vehicles around you to address the other 25%. It’s an amazingly powerful course.
Traffic Skills 101
Sunday, April 12th
Hartford, CT @ Thomas W. Raftery
And now for the kicker. As of March 20th, I’ll no longer be working at the engineering company across the river. For better or worse, I’ve chosen to chase a dream of doing more community focused work. As the youth coordinator for the
Center for Latino Progress I’ll be running their Escalera college prep and leadership program for high school juniors. This is where my bicycle becomes critical. Going from an engineering to non-profit pay grade is a significant change. Not owning a car eliminates a huge expense. I don’t see how folks working for $20,000 or $30,000 a year can manage owning and maintaining a car. It doesn’t make sense.
I’m excited for the opportunity to make a difference in Hartford. In addition to the societal benefits of the program, the tighter finances will push me to utilize cooperative resources that are just starting to operate in Hartford. I recently posted offers and requests to the
Hartford Hour Exchange, and just this morning banked three hours of bike maintenance. In the time bank model, I can trade those three banked hours for three hours of help or service from another member. Quite a novel and beautiful arrangement. In addition to the Hour Exchange, I’ll be more actively using FreeCycle to continue using goods handed off by others. I recommend
West Hartford FreeCycle, as well off folks give away amazing stuff.
You have now reached the social and political commentary portion of the blog post. When I stepped away from my well compensated engineering position and into a life of more fulfillment, I didn’t realize that it would be in the same week that United Technologies announced that it is abandoning their Hartford offices,
moving 175 employees out to the Farmington suburban campus. It was also the week that the Hartford Courant reported that UTC’s ex-CEO
received a $184,000,000 (so many zeros) separation package. How does one human justify making 1000X times the salary of a full time minimum wage employee in their company? So much disgust fills my heart. Not sure what to do with it. Any suggestions? I think I need to go ride my bike to re-find my happy place.
|
| Sometimes one feels like a cranky bear. |
Source:
http://beatbikeblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-biking-became-critically-important.html
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).
