Halibut Herald

My Ride: The lady in the middle pre-whitewall tires

One day, when I upgrade from my beloved “Suburban”, a golden 5-speed cruiser with whitewall tires, to an essentially necessary road bike (I am a non-driver) I would like to join the ranks of the handfuls of people who cycle for a good cause!

Most causes go toward saving humanity from all that ails us which is commendable and great and all, but I personally would have to follow my commitment to the planet, everyone’s Mother, Earth.

Just as I was thinking about standing up for the planet, I came across two young British Columbians who are doing just that, and for my favorite aspect of conservation, our oceans.

Two brave young women, Hannah & Tyese, took time this summer to make the 1200 km journey from Victoria to Kitimat, stopping at communities along the way to spread the message: Say NO to oil tankers threatening our coast, while stimulating conversation about solutions.

Check out their adventures on their enjoyable blog, Cycle for the Seas. Let them know you read this and show them your support!

Just as Southern BC’s coastline is threatened by the promise of increased oil tanker traffic into Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet, Northern BC coastlines are experiencing the same threats — along with crude oil filled pipelines from Alberta to the coast along many of our pristine waterways, as well as, plans for offshore drilling in an area prone to earthquakes.

Good times.

So what are you supposed to do with information like that without bicycling 1200km or screaming in the streets?

Lead by example:

1. Ride your bike, take transit, walk, skateboard, fruitboot, use whatever mode of transport you desire that does not require a lot of gas guzzling. The lack of support for the oil industry shows with each person who takes action.

2. Inform yourself. Read alternative news sources. Sign the petitions. Better yet, write letters, they get read, they are heard, and many times, they work! — People love to complain about the government without providing them with better solutions. So send away.

3. Support & buy local, less travel for your commodities requires less fuel. Do what you can with what you have where you are. Just because it’s an eco-friendly alternative to something you currently own, it doesn’t mean you need it ASAP.

Little action + little action + little action = Great big positive outcome for everyone.

PHOTO SOURCE @ PROJECT GROUNDSWELL