“Even grown-ups turn back to children” Will and Zach play for crowds in Cleveland Park and Dupont Circle in DC and Old Town Alexandria in Virginia. Things you encounter on a bike or on foot.
Biking, Burbs and Babies
If you went to get your greens and other goodies at Central Farm Market in Bethesda this morning, you probably met up with some of the folks from WABA, offering you information about how you can continue to bike happily, or how you can swap the car for the bike more often in ways you might not have thought of before.
Want to bike more, but stuck on the whole “Hey, I’ve got kids! I can’t even go to the bathroom alone without it being a big production! How in the world do you expect me to go grocery shopping by bike with a 6-month old?!” Well, the organizers of Kidical Mass DC are doing their best to help you manage. Catch them from 11am to 1pm at the Capital Hill Montessori School at Logan, or get a virtual briefing here.
Clearly this is an emotional issue, but what also strikes me is the choice of a bicycle as a tool to deliver a political message.
The link brings you to the photos being posted by participants. Here’s the press release:
“Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) will join a team of 26 gun violence prevention advocates riding from Newtown, Conn., to Washington, D.C., on the first leg of their trip from Newtown to Ridgefield on Saturday. Himes, along with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) and Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, will kick-off the ride in Newtown at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, hold a similar event in Ridgefield, and then welcome the riders to Washington on Tuesday. Complete details are below.
“I am inspired by these cyclists and their commitment to this cause, but I’m more than a little worried that my inspiration will be enough to push me up all the hills between Newtown and Ridgefield,” Himes said. “Whether or not I’m left in the dust Saturday, I look forward to welcoming the Sandy Hook Riders to Washington on Tuesday and working with them and the many other dedicated advocates to reduce gun violence.”
The Sandy Hook Ride on Washington aims to memorialize those senselessly killed at the Sandy Hook School by raising awareness about the immediate need for gun safety legislation. Three members of the riding team are from Newtown, including Monte Frank, Bill Muzzio, and Chris Peck. Two of the riders have children who went to the Sandy Hook School and the team includes parents, teachers, a Newtown Police Officer and a Vietnam Veteran. Throughout the journey, the riders will be accompanied by a Newtown police motorcycle with stops in cities and towns along the way.”
“I have an excuse, I don’t have legs. You guys won’t have an excuse when a one legged woman passes you out there. You’ll just have to deal with that on your own.”
-US Rep Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) talks about a friend, also a veteran, who bikes with one leg. Duckworth is a disabled US veteran who loves bikes and cycling talks about the difference access to bikes and bike trails can make for vets like herself. Sounds serious, but she’ll make you laugh here too. Give it a listen. And some thought. She spoke at the National Bike Summit in Washington DC. Check #NBS13 on Twitter.
