Bikes Will Save our Souls

Simply put, bikes are a good idea. It's hard to dispute this statement. They're cheaper to purchase and maintain than automobiles. They provide an excellent form of exercise for their rider. They require significantly less parking accommodations. They allow citizens to engage more intimately with their surroundings. But specifically for the purpose of this blog post-- they contribute to less air pollution.

Salt Lake City has undeniably abysmal air quality. Last year, the American Lung Association flunked  Salt Lake with an "F" rating for its air pollution. It was ranked 6th worst in the nation. Earlier this year, it earned the title of "Worst Air Quality in US" from the EPA. Some Utahans have begun wearing villain-esque looking filtration masks in an effort to reduce the negative health impacts of the brown, smoggy air.

It's through this lens, Salt Laker who's damn sick of the nasty air, that I read the bicycling chapters in our "hymnal." How transformative biking could be for this plagued city! Rather than spewing out toxic emissions, bikes keep our air clean. Although there is still likely some point of pollution associated with the production of the bicycles, it is much less than that of vehicle production, and quickly compensated for by the lack of emissions while in use.

Bikes for all! They're our solution! Yay! But how will we create a sudden surge of bike use? If people are so in love (or enslaved by) their cars, what will make them willing to make the switch? Influenced by our readings for this week, I believe there must be systemic changes to encourage this transition. (Transformative strategies!) For one, I believe that better biking infrastructure must be created-- safe and prolific bike lanes, protected and secure bike parking structures, prioritization with traffic lights for cyclists, and hopefully even periodic bike tune up posts throughout the city. Additionally, I believe there must be an economic incentive associated with biking. As suggested in Green Urbanism, the government ought to subsidize the cost of cycling by offering a discounted purchase of a bike, as well as a package deal with public transit fare, rain gear, and unlimited maintenance. Finally, I believe there must be a cultural shift as far as what's normative. Right now, cars are the norm. They're a symbol of status, and an element of comfort. To get people to actually make the switch to bikes, bikes must be considered trendy, attractive, and "normal." To achieve this, I suggest creating programs within already existing groups (clubs, sororities and fraternities, honors societies, etc.) that teach people how to bike! By doing so within an already accepted and safe space, and by doing so alongside other novices, people would likely be less intimidated and more willing to make a change. (Not to mention the peer pressure of doing it.)

In conclusion: bikes are the future!




http://fox13now.com/2017/01/31/salt-lake-city-currently-has-worst-air-quality-in-us/
http://www.sltrib.com/home/3799747-155/slc-ranked-as-6th-worst-in-the