Welcome to Earth RideTM
The big day is 30th Sept 09 - Register Now by clicking here
March newsletter click here
Why Earth Ride?
There is now overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that human civilization is now the cause of dangerous climate change. There is an equally large amount of scientific data and analysis that points to significant and fundamental changes ahead in the way humans and other species live on the planet as a result of such things as rising sea levels and changing weather patterns. One "inconvenient truth" is that many of these changes are inevitable - being driven by the carbon emissions from the past that are inexorably impacting the earth's finely balanced climate systems. In the face of this downright gloomy scenario there is a significant risk that society as a whole may choose to throw up its collective hands and do nothing: Que sera sera - whatever will be will be.
We at Bicycle NSW believe differently. For perhaps the first time in human history we are all confronting a problem that we collectively have the power to solve - and the challenge is truly global. We believe that human ingenuity and imagination knows no bounds and that together we have the power to create the low carbon future needed for or children and our children's children to enjoy life on the earth.
Earth Ride is not a protest movement, and nor is it about the ongoing and critically important scientific research and analysis of technologies and approaches that can play a key role in delivering a low carbon future.
"Earth Ride is about encouraging everyone to engage in a solution now that we already know offers significant benefits towards the goal of a low carbon future."
Riding a bike for transport will significantly reduce your carbon footprint in comparison to taking the car and is even better than riding on public transport. Riding around 5km to work each day will save around 1 tonne of greenhouse gas emissions each year. The savings are as endless as the journeys we all undertake - riding to school, the shops, to visit friends and family - wherever you need to go! In addition to helping create the future environment you want, riding a bike is a convenient, healthy and fun way to get about!
So Earth Ride is not an event - it's an ongoing "call to action" to everyone around the world, via this website and other activities, to get "on your bike" now! We welcome input and suggestions from anyone around the world with reports of their rides and related activities to inspire and motivate us all!
Earth RideTM is about providing an opportunity for community engagement - key to broader societal involvement and motivation in what for many is just too complex a set of problems to comprehend how they can help - Earth RideTM is the key!
Its not about a single event - anyone can make any bike ride an Earth RideTM (riding to work, to school, going to the shop) or any major bike events can carry the "Earth RideTM " logo, either as a central theme or simply part of the reason for some of the people on the ride.
It's a social networking thing - "tell your friends to Earth RideTM " You can up load your activity by going to the event page and filling out the online form.
Over the next couple of months we expect the scope of this project to develop significantly as opportunities arise and as countries and cities around the world join us. Our collective experience will help each city to see emerging patterns and likewise help us all see the global picture. In the meantime, if you cannot find the information you are seeking please feel free to email Elizabeth Hole at ehole@bicyclensw.org.au
