Friday, April 2, 2021

Walking, Bicycling, Public Transit & Faith Communities News Roundup

The greatest contribution this week was an article in America magazine by John W. Miller, "Meet your bicycle: the transportation incarnation of Catholic Social Teaching." It's a great article.  I read it and thought for a moment, "Did this person get a copy of my manuscript somehow? Were we separated at birth? Can we hang out?"  Pope Francis, Elly Blue, Carlton Reid + faith organizations using bikes as a means for social justice.  Read this article!  

April 1st was also the start or #30daysofbiking.  Grab your bike, pledge, ride for thirty days and share your stories via social media.  Use the above hashtag and join in on the fun.  Maybe you can be like Brett Feldman who took the challenge five years ago and never stopped...

I usually try to write a blessing for this event.  This year, I let it slip.  So here is an unofficial one for al the 30 days of biking pedalers.

May you spin, not grind
May you smile, not scowl
May your brakes grab and wheels turn true
May you be seen and may you see
May squirrels, chipmunks, crows, snakes, and dogs give way
and may you transform the world and yourself
as you emit not carbon, but love.


Yesterday, US Department of Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, caused quite a stir when he rode part way to the cabinet meeting.  



Did he ride the whole way?  No.  Does it matter?  No.  Because there have been plenty of times I have ridden partway.  The important symbol and act was that the Transportation Secretary rode a bike to the full cabinet meeting!  

That's wrap for news this week.  If you have other links and stories please send them to me.  And now for your listening pleasure, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize by Engelbert Humperdinck:







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