Why drive a car or why bicycle? It is a decision that is basic to what we each believe.
IN A CAR...
There is something about driving a car that makes you want to get there in a hurry; it might be the guy behind you honking and flashing his lights.
When you drive you think nothing of going a few minutes or miles out of the way to pick up some little thing at the department store, and you can load up the trunk with stuff you bought, that side trip is no big deal.
You can wait until the last minute because if you are running behind just press the gas harder and go faster to make up time, it is easy.
The weather is no worry; if it is too hot you turn on the air conditioner or open a window, if it is too cold you just roll up the window and turn on the heat.
ON A BICYCLE...
When you ride a bicycle every day to work you know it is going to take longer and the side trip is a lot of work. Do you really want to go two miles out of your way when you are peddling a bicycle to pick up a little thing, or is it worth it, why not just do without?
When you bicycle you feel every ounce on the bike, the extra things you pick up get heaver and heaver as the miles slip past.
A bicyclist has to plan enough time to get to his destination and have time to wash his face when he gets there. It may take three or four times as long to ride a bike.
A bicyclist watches the weather to know if he needs to bring layers of clothes to strip off as he heats up or if he is going to bring the rain poncho. Perhaps the weather is too extreme to ride a bike.
WHY CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHER?
The car is easy, fast, comfortable, gives status, costly, consumes resources, and many other things. The bicycle is hard work, slower, less safe, and gets you there all sweaty but does not take from the limited resources of my planet or wallet. Why choose one over the other?
Because of what you believe. Is the world, its resources, and people to serve me? Or am I a person who sees these gifts as stewardship where I judiciously use what I have for the good of my fellow man? We each must decide. If I give up what I have and sacrifice a little maybe others who have none at all will receive.
Someone once said, "Live simply so others may simply live."
