Kim Nguyen interviews Kevin Moore as he nears Washington DC.
“Bike-America.org is the story of how bicycles can change lives.”
In the summer of 2009 a cross country bike ride was held in which over 50 participants from 12 states bicycled to Washington D.C. They engaged communities along the way speaking to them about bicycling, climate change, energy, food production, and the politics surrounding these issues. Once in DC they rallied outside the White House and met with their local legislators asking for progressive change in these multitude of categories.
What the riders learned from this experience was hard to put in words. They pedaled across the United States with the hope of educating the people they met about the health of their society and planet. But while engaging with the communities, cycling through the incredible landscapes, and spending day after day riding with new friends, the riders found they were learning more about themselves than they could ever have imagined.
There was a lot of progress taking place for everyone touched by the Ride, all from the seat of a bicycle.
Now, in 2010, they are biking again and they want you to join them.
In the summer of 2010 many of the same people who biked to Washington D.C. in 2009 are biking again and they want you to ride with them. They know biking across the United States sounds like a daunting task, but believe it’s not as hard as it seems. If you can’t ride with them they’d love to stop and visit you and your community along the way. They’re always happy for a yard to camp in or a hot shower too! If you’re interested in participating on any level please don’t hesitate to contact them and see how you can get involved. You can contact them at bikeamerica.org@gmail.com
The Bike America Mission:
To investigate and share stories about modern struggles toward sustainability on a cross-country bicycle tour through the United States that seeks to empower riders and showcase the bicycle as a viable, low-carbon, healthy, and fun method of transportation.
They meet the mission every summer by:
1. Interacting with people across the country. Interactions focus on listening and learning. In past rides the opportunity to participate in community events has arisen and is often a powerful learning and sharing experience.
2. Sharing their stories on the web. Blogs are regularly posted online in varying forms. Their website (bike-america.org) is a resource for those looking for the “vital signs” of everyday communities across the United States.
3. Gaining media attention. The riders believe that by sending a message through local and national media thousands of people across the United States will be reached. They hope those people find inspiration from their stories and learn to appreciate the bicycle as a viable means of transport and enjoyment.
4. Lobbying congress on behalf of the issues they learn about along the way. Upon arriving in Washington D.C. the riders will participate in formal lobbying of Members of Congress from the United States government. The information collected during the ride and community interactions will become a hand-delivered package to their elected officials.
Kim Nguyen interviewed Kevin Moore of Bike-America.Org as Kevin neared Washington DC.
What made you decide to cycle America?
“The idea felt so epic… romantic even. I knew I could ride my bike. I knew I could camp. What if, instead of biking back home the next day, I just kept going…and going… and never stopped? Where would I go? What would I see? It was so crazy, I had to do it.”
What have been the best and worst things about your travels?
“The best thing: It’s neither the things we do nor the places we see. Relationships: when I reflect upon this trip, it is the people we meet and my traveling companions whom I remember most. This is what makes bike touring special.
The worst thing: Rain…snow…mountains…mosquitoes… we’ve seen it all. But nothing compares to homesickness. I miss being a regular person, having a bed, having a shower, going to a movie…I miss my friends and family and pets.”
What do you hope to achieve by doing what you are doing?
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of clean energy and sustainable living. So many issues are important to us, but more than anything we hope to demonstrate bicycles as a viable, clean, cost effective, and fun method of transportation.”
Do you think your actions have had an impact on people? In what way?
“Obviously the service projects we participate in directly impact the communities we pass through, but we could do the same thing at home, without the bike tour. What makes the ride important is its potential to impact and inspire others. The magnitude of this ride is stunning, jaw-dropping, unbelievable. I see it in people’s eyes. Whether it be through planned events or spontaneous conversation, we hope to meet as many people as possible and leave them wondering:
Maybe biking is more fun than I first thought…maybe I can bike to work…maybe I could ride across the country too!?!?”
Are the people of America environmentally conscious? If they are conscious does that have a discernible impact on their behaviour?
“Our parents fought for civil rights, that was their cause. I will speak for my generation and say: Sustainability is our cause. Environmental activism is alive and growing, we are doing amazing things all over the country.”
What do you think has to happen for the US government, at a local, national and global level, to start taking real, ambitious steps to stop climate change, in line with science?
“Although our ride will culminate with lobbying in Washington D.C, I don’t look to our government to save the planet. It starts with the choices that we make as individuals. Once our representatives see our values and priorities, the legislation will follow.”
What do you think has to happen for ordinary people, in cities, in suburbia, throughout the Global North, to start making the significant changes in their day-to-day lives that will stop climate change?
“The world needs one thing: awareness. How is our lifestyle impacting our environment? What changes can we make to lessen our impact? The technology is available. There is money to be saved. People simply need to know what’s out there.”
What can we do as ordinary citizens to affect change?
“Always strive to live in greater harmony with nature. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Compost. Ride bikes. Go vegetarian. Buy Organic. Our actions make a difference and set a great example for others.”
What would you, or any of your fellow cyclists, like to add?
“There is nothing special about us. We are regular people chasing a dream.”
Thanks Kevin and Good Luck in Washington!
The Bike America riders will be arriving in Washington DC in 2 weeks, on 26th July, so there’s not much time to contact them if you’d like to join them and get involved. You can contact them at bikeamerica.org@gmail.com.
Ride Planet Earth will be working with some of the Bike America riders to promote further action against climate change. This will include promoting cycling-climate actions around the world on the 28th November this year, to coincide with the UN Climate Change Summit in Mexico. This meeting is vital if there is any chance for an international agreement to stop dangerous climate change. If you like to get involved email kim@rideplanetearth.org.
Kim Nguyen