Things like this make me wonder what's wrong with humanity: http://onelescar.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-hell-is-wrong-with-people.htm...

But I have hope that through the simple act of biking, I can help regain some of this humanity that we seem to have lost.

I've been riding a bike pretty much as soon as I learned to walk, but this year more than ever I've been a little obsessed. Learning everything I can about how my bikes works, riding it as much as possible, advocating for alternative transportation, and helping other people ride safely have become passions of mine.

Biking is more than just a way to stay in shape and save money. Every morning I hop on my bike, I'm making a statement about how I choose to make an impact on the world around me. Environmentally, socially, and politically.

I'm resisting the stereotypes that the only people who bike to work are people who can't afford cars and people who've had their licenses taken away. Biking is something that almost everyone can do, but our society has restricted it to the margins and set unrealistic expectations that we should all be clean, primped, and impractically-dressed when we arrive somewhere. In short, I'm resisting the consumerist values that restrict us from our human potential.

As a woman, I'm challenging the system that wants me to stay safe at home. I recognize that biking is inherently dangerous, but I've never been afraid to ride my bike around campus at night and if something breaks, I usually know how to fix it. The self-sufficiency and sense of freedom I have gained are unbelievable.

I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but let me just say it. There’s some really messed up stuff going on with coal. I don’t just mean in a physical sense, like how coal contains heavy metals and carbon which are released into our atmosphere, water supply, and communities when burned for fuel, or the devastating environmental effects of coal mining and mountain top removal. I mean the down and dirty manipulation of people and politics by the coal industry.

My first introduction to the influence of “Big Coal” was at a public hearing over a proposed coal plant in Bay City, Michigan (my home state). About 75 student environmentalists from all across our state attended to give public comment against the coal plant. Besides us, a few local activists, and corporate spokespeople, the room was filled with burly men wearing shirts that said “Clean Coal.” Throughout the night they ridiculed us and tried to intimidate us, but none of the clean coal supporters ever gave public comment. This night enlightened me to the persuasive power of Big Coal when a community feels that their jobs are at stake. Especially with Michigan’s current 15.4% unemployment rate.

In less than one week I'll be hopping on my bike and riding to Washington DC from Michigan! For the past 6 months (since I returned from Bangladesh) I have been coordinating a group of riders from Michigan as part of the Trek to Re-Energize America (http://trektoreenergize.org). We have 9 great riders coming from Michigan, all students and recent graduates. This weekend several of us will be attending Rothbury Music Festival to promote the Trek, and I'm lucky enough to have a spot on a "Think Tank" panel: http://www.rothburyfestival.com/festival/think_tank.php On July 6th we'll be starting in Muskegon Michigan and then meeting with a larger group of riders (some of whom starting in Washington!) in Columbus, Ohio, and on July 26th we'll arrive in DC to meet up with 50+ riders from all over the US!

So why are we biking to DC? Our ultimate purpose is to lobby congress to support strong climate legislation. We hope that by biking 900 miles across the country, we can show that youth care about the future of humanity and our planet, and climate change threatens both of these. Along the way we'll be stopping in both small and large communities throughout Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, and learning about everything from organic agriculture to windmills to mountaintop removal.

To follow our adventure, please check out our blog at http://900miles.blogspot.com, where you can see our route, stories and pictures (even Twitter updates) from the road, and if you're feeling generous, you can donate to our "food and sunscreen fund" through PayPal. This is going to be an incredible journey, and I am so happy to have all of your support. Please comment on our blog to keep in touch over the next month!

Peace,
Marci

This post is by Marci Baranski, a Michigan SEACer!

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