Bike to Worship

Each year in May municipalities and bicycle organizations around the world observe “Bike to Work Week,” a time for commuters to leave their cars at home and ride bikes to work.  It has led to many improvements for bicycle commuters and pleasure-riders in cities across theUnited States.  The Federal Highway Administration says that 65% of all driving trips are made within two miles of home.  Biking is a carbon-neutral, healthy, and cost-effective alternative.  By biking two miles to and from work twice a week, one can reduce carbon emissions by roughly ten pounds.  Spokane Bike to Work Week is May 16 to 20.  The Faith and Environment Network is encouraging all people of faith to consider setting aside a weekend day on either side of that work week, or another weekend of your choice, as Bike to Worship, whether Saturday or Sunday.  You may work a little harder getting to church or synagogue or temple, but you will give the air and the earth a bit of a rest.  On the other hand, you may find that you are better rested and happier after a bike-ride than you are being shut up in a car.

Talk to your local faith community leaders and engage them for such a day and event in recognition of God’s good gifts to us and our stewardship of them.  For more information on Bike to Work Week in Spokanego to the Spokane Bikes website http://spokanebikes.net/wordpress or to the page that lists that week’s Spokane activities http://spokanebikes.net/wordpress/?page_id=48 .  For more information on Bike Month go to the League of American Bicyclists website http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/ .

Celebrate the arrival of spring weather, finally.  Happy biking.