Get outside and ride your bike for a change

There is a movement going on. It goes unnoticed by the White House, networks such as ABC or CBS and even a majority of the public, but it is there. The movement is biking. PeopleforBikes.org is one of the sites dedicated to bringing bikers together. It unites millions of people under one goal: "to make bicycling safer, more convenient and appealing for everyone." People for Bikes is an initiative of Bikes Belong, an organization dedicated to put more people on bicycles more often.
The media is not discussing the biking safety issue because it is not in the zone of legitimate controversy. In other words, the government officials and other elites don't see this as an issue, so therefore we don't hear about it.
There are two main objectives: increasing the number of people that ride and improving the transportation infrastructure for bicyclists. Forty-seven percent of Americans would like to see more bike lanes, trails and bridges in their communities. That's almost half the population that would like to see this change happen, but instead we are putting in carpool lanes and stoplights. The benefits of biking are numerous, such as saving gas money, being healthy, keeping our air clean and making roads less congested. It can be the solution to some of our societal and environmental problems and is good for our communities.
The website reads, "Bikes fill our lives with adventure and excitement, relaxing our minds and energizing our souls." This is an important reminder for us all. We are cooped up inside classrooms, our bodies becoming one with the chairs, while our eyes constantly focus on a computer screen, leaving us with glazed eyes. With finals coming up and extracurricular activities abundant, it is time we all stop to energize our soul and take a moment with nature.
As a society we have become so bombarded with consumerism, technology and everything that is faster and easier than before. Let's bring it back to the basics; back to the good old days of playing in the yard, shooting hoops with the neighbors and running around outside. Your local gym can get you in shape and probably help you lose weight, but it can't provide you with fresh air, bird chirps or dirt on your legs.
The ways to show your support for this incredible movement are out there. Start simple: get on your bike, or put on those tennis shoes and go outside!