Environmental Responsibility

Following closely on the heals of Earth Day, 2009, I attended the Living Green Expo today, which is a significant and well organized "green-living" and environmental responsibility expo in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although this is a slight diversion from bicycles generally and fixed gear bikes specifically, there is a clear parallel between bikes and environmental responsibility.

Since there is a likely overlap between those who ride fixed gear and those who want the environment to be around for the next few generations, I've decided to throw a post on FixedRiders.com to support the environmental responsibility and advocacy effort.

If you have any interest in reducing your carbon footrprint and leaving fewer marks on the world around you, try to extend your interest in fixed gear bikes another step forward toward a sustainable environment.

One blog/site focused on environmental responsibility and green living ideas is Green52.org. Green52.org has just completed 52 weeks of green tips, with 52 unique articles about green living and environmental responsibility. If any of your fixed gear friends are interested in the environmental responsibility cause, tell them about Green52.org.

Better yet, turn off your computer, stop powering all the other electricity consuming devices in your home, and get out and ride! FixedRiders.com encourages you to enjoy the spring season by reconnecting with everything that makes bike riding memorable from your childhood -- the freedom of having your own mode of transportation, with the ability to determine where you want to go and how fast you want to get there.

Fixed gear bikes are the grown-up version of a "big wheel" (images of brightly colored trike-style kid mobile should be appearing) from days gone by. It doesn't get much better -- and the fact that you can use your fixie to go where your car might otherwise take you is a significant environmental plus.