Earthship Logs

Pedal Power

The trio of Earthship Captains were enjoying a beautiful day. For once, there were no pressing environmental emergencies that needed their attention. Just to be sure they weren't missing anything, they decided to do an inspection of the area, and piled into the solar-powered Enviro-Cruiser.

"Lots of people out and about," said Captain Bluegill. "Wonder where they're all going."

"Quite a few are putting boxes and sacks from fast food places into their cars," Captain Earthworm noted. "I'll bet they're going on picnics."

"I just hope they remember to dispose of their trash properly when they're through," fretted Captain Bluegill. "Some people can be real humans when it comes to making messes. You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen cluttering up the bottom of ponds and streams - no properly schooled fish would dream of fouling his surroundings like that."

"Not to mention the parks and roadsides and open areas," agreed Captain Earthworm.

"Look!" chirped Captain Redbird. "You're right about where they're going! Those three people down there have picnic hampers -and wow, they're not getting into cars, they're fastening the hampers to their bicycles!"

The Enviro-Cruiser trailed overhead as the family pedaled along streets near their home, then onto a bike trail. They finally stopped at a picnic area and began unpacking the hampers from their bikes.

"Those people really know how to have a good time without polluting their environment," Captain Redbird commented. "Bikes are very environmentally friendly ways of getting around. There's no tailpipe emissions, and they don't release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming."

"Right," Captain Redbird agreed. "They don't use gasoline, so those nice folks down there won't release gasoline vapors into the air while filling up a tank. Bicycles don't generate noise pollution, either."

As the family of three finished setting out the contents of their picnic hampers, the trio from T.R.E.E. decided to drop down and thank them for their environmental approach to fun.

Captain Earthworm led the way, carefully staying just far enough out of range to avoid a misplaced foot.

"Hi," he called out, "we want to congratulate all of you for riding bikes instead of driving a car on your outing. "

"My friends and I are the Environmental Captains, and it is just great to meet people like you," Captain Bluegill added.

"We've been studying about the environment at school," young Denzel said. "Our online research says bikes have no emissions, are practical and economical and non-polluting."

"And don't forget that riding a bike is not only fun, it's a great form of exercise," his mother added, as she set out light weight, reusable bowls of picnic goodies.

"We're lucky we live in an area where the climate lets us ride bikes a big part of the year," Denzel's father spoke up. "I even ride my bike to the transit station a lot of times.

"You folks obviously care about your environment," Captain Redbird trilled. "And since I spend so much time in the air, I really appreciate that. Nearly three-fourths of the smog, or ozone pollution, in many cities, is related to cars and trucks."

Captain Bluegill agreed. "If more people rode bikes for short trips, to commute as well as for recreation, just think of how much cleaner our air would be."

As the family settled down to their picnic, the captains headed back toward their Cruiser. "You know," said Captain Earthworm as they got ready to take off, "I'd like to get a bike myself-for short trips, you know?" Then, as the other two just stared at him, he muttered, "But then, I guess not."

Bicycling can be a fun way to help reduce air pollution and get lots of exercise too!

The Captains' Bicycling Tips

Here are some facts from the Captains about bicycling.

• Riding a bicycle is quieter, cleaner and less expensive that using a car.
• Riding a bicycle is great exercise for people of all ages.
• Nearly half of all car trips are for two miles or less-distances easily covered by a bike trip.
• Catalytic converters do not function well for a couple of minutes when the car is first started so more pollution is emitted on short trips.

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