LCD 3 - The Power of Pedals!

Three weeks on the saddle. The regular daily routine of bike commuting, has once again given me an outsiders view of the American love affair with the automobile. I am often cut off at intersections by impatient drivers. Would waiting an extra three seconds really cause such distress in their lives? Are they driving to the hospital with an extreme emergency or in an urgent rush to save the world? Do they realize that bikes have the same rights as cars on the road? Chances are the answer to all of these questions is "no". Even in a bike friendly community like Columbia, bike commuters are so uncommon that drivers don't know how to react. Cars line the city streets, burning natural resources, polluting the air and causing havok upon the landscape they travel. If only a tiny fraction of able bodied drivers commuted by bicycle even once a week (even if was to the store or a nearby location), the biking community would grow, safety features would improve on roads and driver awareness of bikers rights could be increased. Unfortunately, those who choose to commute regularly by bike are often seen as extreme and their numbers are small. If Americans want to save some money at the pumps, they may want to consider getting on some pedals.

Continuing my Low Car Marketing Challenge for Off Track Events, I recruited my friend Nate Smith for some classic gorilla marketing at the Summerfest street show featuring the band Wilco. I fluffed the feathers of the Chickman costume and along with the monkey we hit the mega event. Wearing front and backside posters for the Mayor's Cup we danced through a crowd of thousands, distributing hundreds of event brochures. Dozen of people gave us high fives, danced with us and took photos. I recommend that everybody goes incognito in costume at some point of their life. Find that alter ego and set it free.

The end of the week brought the first event in the Off Track Events fall series. The Paws in the Park 5k. I was unsure how directing a cross country race would work without the use of a vehicle. I soon realized that as an event director I could have other people pick up the dozen boxes of t-shirt, race packets and heavy 5k course equipment and deliver them to the event location. Honestly, I could not have driven my station wagon if I had wanted to. It rests in my driveway, a dead battery under the hood, and a flat tire in the back. Foresaken and forgotten.

Once all the course equipment was delivered to the race location, I discovered the ease and benefit that a bike with a trailer offered. The distribution of cones, flags, signs, and water jugs across the 3.1 mile course was expedited by the bike trailer. The bicycle was never restricted by the terrain of the park and it's trail system. The 5k run went off without a hitch. It was a rewarding feeling seeing the Paws in the Park 5k and other activities become a success. I can't wait to do it again.