Declaration of Independence
We, the undersigned, solemnly swear to strive for a better way to move around our cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
We have been held captive by automobiles for too long and we're ready to break the shackles once and for all.
We are tired of the lies forced upon us by automakers that spend billions to try and convince us that cars are fun, sexy, and can make us happy. We know better.
We are saddened by the deaths of cyclists on dangerous roadways and we believe our local and national politicians must protect our interests with greater vigilance.
We are convinced that the joy and freedom experienced while riding a bicycle can bring about an important revolution of values that has vast potential.
This declaration will live forever as a symbol of our collective voice. It is a small but important step to reclaiming our streets, our health, our happiness, and our lives.
If you'd like to sign this declaration, please do so in the comments. You can help spread the word by linking back to it from your blog. Thank you.
We have been held captive by automobiles for too long and we're ready to break the shackles once and for all.
We are tired of the lies forced upon us by automakers that spend billions to try and convince us that cars are fun, sexy, and can make us happy. We know better.
We are saddened by the deaths of cyclists on dangerous roadways and we believe our local and national politicians must protect our interests with greater vigilance.
We are convinced that the joy and freedom experienced while riding a bicycle can bring about an important revolution of values that has vast potential.
_______________________
This declaration will live forever as a symbol of our collective voice. It is a small but important step to reclaiming our streets, our health, our happiness, and our lives.
If you'd like to sign this declaration, please do so in the comments. You can help spread the word by linking back to it from your blog. Thank you.
posted by jmaus | 10:14 PM
45 Comments:
For Portland specifically: http://portland.craigslist.org/act/84422639.html
ride your bike. encourage others. teach drivers to share the road. make your town better.
booyah.
Agreed. Cars give people freedom from social restraint, and are a cause of societal breakdown.
It sounds poncey, but it's true. Cars kill. Even by inducing obesity.
Whose streets? Our streets!
Michael Wise
Salt Lake City
I have made it a mission of mine to drive less and ride more. I am more relaxed when riding, and everything just seems to flow. Not only is it benefical to the body, and soul, it shows that we can do things differently, we as a society dont have to be lazy, and drive stupidly big cars. I agree with
In September of this past year, I was hit and nearly killed by a driver who drove through a red light. (http://masiguy.blogspot.com/2005/03/ever-feel-like-you-are-here-to-serve.html)
Luckily I survived and got to go home and hug my wife and kids. Many people are not so lucky.
"Share the road" stickers may seem hokey to a lot of folks, but every little bit of added awareness is a good thing.
Tim Jackson
Brand Manager
Masi Bikes
My dad commuted by bike about 190/200 days a year...about 95% ratio. In Massachusetts. I can't claim that ratio, but I am over 60% lifetime bike commuter. I've met the metal of a car twice and still ride, luckily!
word. a manifesto..brilliant.
i come up with these all the time at the bar, but in the morning i can never read what i wrote.
nice work.
Ride on fellow humans. It's a sweet world and it's a lot easier to see that from the seat of a bicycle than through the windshield of a car.
Kent Peterson
Issaquah WA USA
count me in dammit...
If there is to be a velorevolution, let it start here. We must create the structures of support for bikes same as cars. Bike Stations, Bike Shops, Bike Garages, Bike Dealerships. And we must live Bike.
When they suspended my driver's license, it was a gift.
i just got rid of mine!
This declaration is an important step for many human beings; a portal to ways of being that open a space of grace, a space of healthy transit that becomes a method of enlightenment.
I dig this declaration, and I hope we can all write our own versions of it. Sooner or later oil will get too expensive, and we'll move back towards the days when human-powered transit ruled.
The single most positive change you can make (on so many levels) is to get out of the car and onto the bike. You can do it.
I think we've all had close calls and a few of us have had the joy of lying in a hospital bed in pain waiting for the cops to show up and tell us there is really nothing that can be done....I have now taken to swerving AT the cars....
Thank you. It makes me glad I ride daily
amen.
scott
www.gobybicycle.com
I'm in! Have always and will always commute by cycle.
live to ride
ride to work
work to live...
tschwuite!
Sure, I'll sign it. But I'm not giving up my car, because I don't actually have one ;)
I'm not totally car-free yet, use it about once every two weeks, but my 20 mile daily commute is now bike, and all my errands and shopping and recreation is bike.
It's only a 99% commitment, but it makes a difference in my life for the better in every way.
Stacey Graham
Minneapolis MN
my Signiture,
Nathan Luetke
Norfolk, VA
Peace.
What will you be doing when the gas runs out?
Cody
Iowa City, IA
Agreed. I'm in.
I've been dreaming of car-free cities for a long time. A couple of years ago I started doing my part by not replacing my car after being involved in a crash. I already biked and used public transit a fair amount before that, but it made a difference to make the full commitment. I've been astonished at the ways in which my life has improved. Yes, there are still a few inconveniences - but it's worth it!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Keep riding.
we need comprehensive bicycle infrastructure.
I recommend a visit to the Netherlands for inspiration.
Ride on
Ride on!
bikes are fun.
It's time to take charge of your future and independence by having your own business!
St. Louis needs more bicycleing support, start a revolution ride your bike to the metrolink stops 0 emmissions. pass the word, bring friends they find it liberating once they try it. heck yes to bikes.
yes, well, i agree
love thy neighbour...
immolate their car
Josh F.
Tacoma, WA
Yay bikes!
I am in. I bike everyday to work and really look foward to the days when gas is 10 bucks more a gallon!
P.S. Might want to make your comments available to people only, by using Googles anti-spam feature.
That's right.
Laura
Cars do not offer freedom instead, they enslave their owners. Cars are a ball and chain, shackled to the ankles of their owners through economics; car payment, insurance, fuel, repairs, maintenance, parking etc. It baffles me to see so many people working for 8 and 10 dollars an hour, DRIVING A CAR!
Fools! Lets all help dispel the myth of car freedom...
Yes!
I haven't owned an automobile for six years (after a crash) and intend to not own one for the next six. Cars drive me mad in so many ways! Ahh, watch the people drive their beloved autos- they look like zombies.
Cars are such a recent invention and now the whole human race practically depends on them for survival. The internal combustion engine is very powerful and has its merits for certain applications, but it's far overused and will be the leading cause of human's demise.
Here are some reasons why I loathe the automobile:
-Noisy. I cannot take a walk with music/headphones without the sounds of motors interfering. Even if I go far from the city, there is usually the distant hum of some interstate reminding me of our curse. I almost get giddy on early weekend morning walks because I can hear birds. Bicycles are blissfully silent.
-Space. Yes, roads take up a good deal of space. Have you ever walked down a street and imagine no street or vehicles? Such imagery often resembles a park. But it's more than roads- it's parking lots, used car lots, gas stations, mechanics shops, auto parts retail outlets, car washes, etc. Do I dare mention the damage caused by excessive rain run-off because of all the parking lots?
-Injury/Death. I don't know what the stats are, but people are always getting hurt or dying in autos. Consider it a brand of terrorism.
-Environmental issues. Pollution of the air, pollution of the water, pollution of the ground. Every day new cars are rolling off the assembly lines. Each and every one of them are destined for the junkyard. Oh, and the tires!
-Resources. We're all going to be singing the blues when we realise the world's supply of heating oil was needlessly used to make travel all too convenient.
One last rant: someone needs to delete the spam comments!
Peace & Love,
Philip Edward Schumacher, cyclist/taxpayer, Pittsburgh 2008-10-27.
More people need to read this and sign it. These are great and true ideas.
Amen!
signed....
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