New Year’s is the time for everyoneto self-reflect and makea commitment for self-improvement.
My 2007 New Year’s resolutionis to continue commuting toDe Anza College by riding mybicycle. Doing so has maintainedand improved my physical andmental fitness, the environment,and my pocketbook.
Our world is ridden with scientificproof of growing climatechange, and ever-increasing oilprices. As an informed collegestudent, I’m helping ensure thatthe world will still be beautifulwhen I graduate.
Riding a bicycle to campus onmost days will ensure one wouldget the 30 minutes of exercise aday that most health professionalsrecommend for adults for optimumhealth.
Cycling, along with livinga healthy lifestyle, will makeeveryone feel better, more energetic,and over time will decreasethe chances of serious healthproblems that come with a sedentarylifestyle.
People will even look betteras they lose fat and gain muscletone. This could increase self-esteemand overall feeling of wellbeing.
Most of all, cycling to and fromschool saves one from the hassleof what is commonly known asthe “parking lot ballet,” whendozens of cars try to exit or enterthe parking lots at once.
This may be reason enoughto encourage others to ride theirbikes, if only to avoid this headache.It is so much easier to beable to breeze your way to classwithout having to find a parkingspot, or having to rush out to yourcar after class only to be stuck intraffic wondering how long you?regoing to be there.
Finally, there are the financialbenefits. Not driving those 23,000miles this year will save $2,900 ingas, $90 for parking, and $240 inmaintenance costs.
Perhaps if enough studentsjoined the cycling commute, greatthings will come out of it. MaybeDe Anza could convert the autotech lab building into an institutefor renewable fuels, or tear downone of the parking structures tobuild more classroom space.
My New Year’s resolution is a”win-win” scenario for both theenvironment and me. Hopefully,more students will choose thisenvironmentally and physicallyfriendly way of travel.
