A few weeks ago someone made mention online that there had only been anti-biking commentaries in the commentary section of the Star Tribune. I've often thought more bicyclists, walkers and users of public transit need to share more stories about their experiences. One, to counter the often anti voices. & two, to reach people of a more visceral or emotional level about walking, biking and public transiting. I think people are moved more by stories then they are by arguments. So tell stories and hope that they find a way into public discourse.
I was wanted to write such a story but I didn't have anything. Then the other day when it was pretty cold (that is saying something for Minneapolis). I chose to ride the bus rather than pedal my bike south to see a family to discuss a memorial service. On this trip I caught a story. I shared the story with my family, then I shared it with the congregation, then I sat down and typed it out and shared it with the readers of the Star Tribune; it appeared last Thursday.
here it is.
I actually like to read the comments, I find them interesting. This article brought a sad response. One person commented, "many of us do not want to feel connected to strangers". I feel that is part of our problem today as a culture. We do not want to feel connected to strangers. If you are a Christian or a person of faith or person of conscience not wanting to feel connected to strangers is not an option. There will be no social progress if we constantly remain unconnected to strangers. The Christian story is at the least the transformation of strangers to friends (not conversion to belief, but openness of heart). What if walking, bicycling, and taking public transit were viewed as faith practices, as ways to engage and meet people and help the grand work of transforming strangers into friends?
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