Great letter from Watkinsville's lone bicycle commuter - please come pedal here tomorrow morning

To the BikeAthens listserv:

This afternoon, on my ride home from UGA, I’ll hit a major milestone: 10,000
miles as a bike commuter. I began commuting by bike from my home in
Watkinsville four years ago, not long after my 41st birthday.

One of the deep mysteries that I chew on while riding is how influential voices
in our community (a local newspaper and a few politicians come to mind) can
express so much concern about fuel prices, development patterns, and traffic,
and at the same time aim so much hostility towards the notion of providing
greater and safer public access to modes of transportation other than cars.
Gradually, I think more and more people are starting to realize the connection
between these problems that never seem to go away and the fact that our
governments continue an almost single-minded focus on development centered
around the automobile. I believe that the advocacy and educational work that
BikeAthens has done over the years is a big reason why attitudes about
alternative transportation in our area may be beginning to change. Sure, there
are plenty of jerks out there who seem to go out of their way to harass or
intimidate me on my bike, but knowing that BikeAthens is working for me has kept
my motivation for bike commuting to remain as high as ever.

However, BikeAthens needs your help at this point in finding individuals to
serve as board members of the organization. BikeAthens is providing a valuable
service to the community through effective advocacy for alternative
transportation, but keeping it effective requires an infusion of new ideas and
energy. I hope that any of you who support the mission of BikeAthens and are
able to commit some time to the organization will consider applying for
membership on the board. Visit the BikeAthens website (www.bikeathens.com) for
more information and an application. The new board will be decided soon, so
please don’t delay!

Thanks,
Clint Moore

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