MLK

I ride my bike past the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on my daily commute. When the vision of our leaders is as bright as Dr. King's, it is worthwhile to find its applicability outside of the lives they lived. Riding my bike beneath his sculpture has allowed me to consider the struggle of cyclists in light of the Civil Rights struggle.

It would be wrong to suggest that a bicycle rights movement carries anything near the weight that the Civil Rights movement carries, yet there are similarities that are worth looking at.

One of the great debates -- for both struggles -- has been integration vs. segregation. The case of racial integration has been thoroughly covered. Regarding the integration of motorists and cyclists, there are arguments both ways. Some feel that cyclists and motorists should be provided with separate facilities while others feel it is safest for both sides when the two share the same roadway. The lessons to be learned are the same in both cases.

Both struggles have been hindered by stereotypes. Racial stereotyping is not unlike the stereotyping that occurs between motorists and cyclists. Instead of seeing individuals with differing beliefs and behaviors, we sometimes take a mental short-cut and make a snap judgement based on limited information. The brain is useful that way when we need a snap judgement, but our fellow human beings deserve more consideration.

Both require and ask for tolerance. The tolerance makes it possible for different groups and individuals to see each other as wanting the same outcomes, wanting the same respect, and ultilmately, recognizing that underneath the exterior, we are the same.

I wish to take nothing from MLK's Dream, but I dream of a day when cyclists and motorists can ride alongside each other on our roadways with mutual respect and the courtesy that allows us to safely reach our destinations. For many of my interactions with motorists, that day has come, but we still have a ways to go.

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 18.7
Number of Cyclists seen: 13 (5 in AM and 8 in PM)
In-bound Route: Goofin' 9.6
Out-bound Route: Emory via Clifton
Weather: Above freezing with threat of rain

Dalai Lama visiting Emory this Weekend

The XIVth Dalai Lama is in town this weekend to accept a professorship at nearby Emory University. The Dalai Lama is the secular and religious leader of the Tibetan people and continues to strengthen his long-standing relationship with the Emory-Tibet Partnership.

So, why would a cycling blog post about the Dalai Lama? I'm glad you asked ;-).

Key to the Dalia Lama's teachings are the concepts of compassion and tolerance as paths to achieving lasting happiness. We are reducing conflict and strife in the world by improving our ability to give others a little more space. Like all big changes, world peace requires small steps.

Compassion and tolerance doesn't mean we can't bump into each other or that we don't compete for the same resources, but it does mean we face our conflicts with the human capacity to reason rather than responding with anger. If we treat our adversaries as if they do not deserve to pursue their own happiness, then we cannot find peace. Only by using our higher human capacities -- reason, compassion and tolerance -- can we treat our adversaries with the respect we would like to be shown. In this manner, we avoid strife and find peace.

On my daily commute, many negotiations over the use of the roadway occur. Each is an opportunity to display either an understanding of the right to pursue getting to our destination on time, or an opportunity to react poorly and with anger. By controlling our anger, we allow ourselves to walk in our fellow man's moccasins, and realize they are seeking the same happiness we seek.

Sometimes we find people whose skills are not as developed as we would expect. Should we take this opportunity to increase their skills? This is tough, because I know myself that I am not always receptive to improving my skills. We learn at our own pace and a compassionate environment increases that pace.

Cycling affords more and better opportunities to practice. Two drivers in automobiles are isolated by their cages. The cyclist is out there in the open and the interaction is open as well. Cycling is a better opportunity to use our higher human capacities.

Fortunately, when I ride my bike, I'm in such a good mood that compassion and tolerance come easy. Even getting drenched during a rainstorm when a motorist splashes a puddle up my nose brings a big smile. (It is pretty funny, after all.)

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 17.7
Number of Cyclists seen: 11 including chainstretcher who I have seen on every commute since last Wednesday.
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Emory via Clifton
Weather: Raining in the morning. Only two cyclists (both looking very serious) on the inbound trip.