Pedaling For The Planet And Yourself
Bicycling is one of the most sustainable and beneficial forms of transportation. American car owners drive an average of 40 miles per day. If they rode a bike instead, they could save 14 gallons of gas (an a good bit of money) each week. They would burn around 500 calories per hour while helping keep the air clean and the climate cool. Here’s howto be an earth-friendly cyclist;
1. Buy used or reconditioned bikes: Check Recyled Cycles or eBay
2. Make your bike fit you life: Those who travel with bikes after or use public tansportation might consider a bike that folds to a smaller size. Montague Co offers a full-size folding bicycle; Bike Friday sells a small-wheel bike that folds to hit in a standard suitcase.
3. Increase your wattage: If your one-way car commute is 10 miles or less, an electric bicycle will get you there in about the same amount of time. Electric bikes are everyday bicycles with an added battery-powered electric motor that you plug in to recharge; they are perfect for a sweat-free trip to the workplace. Wilderness Energy sells electric bike conversion kits.
4. Switch to pertroleum-free bicycle products: Biodegradebable degreasers and vegetable-based lubricants will keep your wheels turning. Soy Clean offers a soy-based multipurpose lubricant; Pedras offers a biodegradeaboe degreaser made form citrus extracts.
5. Save bicycles from the landfill: Resource Revival recycles old bicycle parts into clocks, tables, picture frams and jewlery., For a list of more recycle programs, visit the International Bicycle Funds website, At iBike.
(Some information gathered from: Sustainable Travel Internationals Green Gear Guide)
*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Be sure to clean your fridge coils once a month for better productivity.
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