Bike Utah Valley

Eat Local, Live Local, Work Local, Shop Local. Many of us live, work, and shop, at a distance. The personal automobile has made that possible. The cost of fueling the personal automobile is making it a financial burden. The cost of repairing our country’s aging infrastructure makes it a burden on us all. As I talked about in my earlier post, A Heavy Load, living close to where you work and shop and play may be a more expensive initial investment, but it will more than pay for itself in transportation costs in the long run. In case you have missed it, there is a strong movement out there to eat local. Why else do you think there are so many Farmers Markets popping up all over the place? Salt Lake City has a great one. I went to the one in Provo last Saturday. I didn’t buy anything, but I’m glad it is there. I hope that someday it fills Pioneer Park. I rode my bike to it. I work a mile away from home, and in the seven months I’ve had my current job, I’ve never driven to work. I’ve ridden every day. Rain, snow, heat, cold, I ride. I live local. I save a great deal of money by doing so. I also benefit my community and my neighbors by doing so. By walking or riding a bike for my transportation, I can stop and say hello to a neighbor, or chat with fellow cyclists or the increasing number of motorcycle and scooter riders at stop lights. By riding or walking, I do my part to allow my neighbors to enjoy the tranquility they deserve and allow them the benefit of no pollution coming from my vehicle, air or noise. I realize that there are some who have to drive for work, and I don’t begrudge them that opportunity. There are however many who could be local, and choose not to be. I won’t speculate on reasons. Perhaps the events of the future will change their perspective and they will choose to be local. I would guess that those who do so before it becomes imperative, will be better off for it. Eat Local, Live Local, Work Local, Shop Local. Ride Local. Be Local.