Bike ride to raise awareness of climate change

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Ride your bike this Saturday to tell Congress to step it up when it comes to cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

Riders meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 14 in Langley Park on Anthes Avenue and Second Street and embark on tours of various lengths before they return to Langley in time to watch the Welcome the Whales parade at 1:30 a.m.

Sounds like fun and games, but the bike ride has a serious background. The event is part of the Step it Up 2007 campaign, the largest day of citizen action focusing on climate change in the nation’s history.

“Because I am a bike rider, I thought, ‘I’ll organize a bike ride,’” said Fran Abel, the pedal pusher promoter.

Participants in the event will be photographed displaying their message: “Step It Up Congress! Cut Carbon 80 percent by 2050.”

The photograph will be sent to Washington, D.C. along with photos from hundreds of other events across the country so members of Congress can see for themselves that their constituents are demanding bold action, Abel said.

The event is free. Abel will provide maps and asks participants to set a good example and wear a helmet.

There are bike tours for all levels, but the general idea is to ride from Langley to Maxwelton Beach and back. Some may chose to ride to Maxwelton Beach via Bayview, others may chose to go out Saratoga Road for a longer round trip. Inexperienced riders can simply bike to Bayview Corner and come back.

“It can be as short or as long as people like it to be,” Abel said.

Bikers are also encouraged to join the Welcome the Whales Parade.

Step it Up is a nationwide campaign comprised of more than 1,000 events in 50 states. The campaign is rallying around the need for substantial and rapid action on the issue of climate change. Events are being held in every corner of the country, from Maine to Hawaii, from Seattle to Key West. Rallies have been organized by groups and individuals from all walks of life who agree on one thing: the time has come for elected officials to take bold and immediate steps to combat global warming.

For more information, visit the Step it Up campaign Website at www.stepitup2007.org.