equal rights

there is much injustice in this world. it can become overwhelming at times. being a cyclist, i feel like it gives us all a little better understanding and empathy for others that bear the toll of unfair treatment, in whatever form it takes and however it is used against another.

those of us that use bicycles as transportation have no doubt felt unjustified and even dangerous treatment from motor vehicle drivers because of their feeling that we do not belong on the road and the road is not to share. i'm sure there are many other reasons as well. but the carelessness of what seems like small actions on their part can cost one of us our lives. and it has.

this doesn't mean we shrink away from riding bikes or encouraging others to do so. living life is never all safe. but there are many things we can do by ourselves and collectively to make cycling safer for everyone. and those efforts are being made in Austin and Portland and Seattle and many other cities, big and small.

i hope too that by working towards equal assess to transportation facilities, roads - along with education towards safe cycling and co-existence between motor vehicles and bikes...we have a better and wider sense of injustices and unfair treatment towards others due to race, sexual orientation, financial status, unemployment, homelessness, non-conformity, misperception, mental illness, and downright lies and cruelty.

the world can be a hard place. there is much suffering. but each one of us has an opportunity to do something small or big towards combating cruelty and suffering. as simple as not judging and writing off the homeless in your neighborhoods. to volunteering and spending your time towards making something better. making someone feel good.

and finally what sparked all this was bad raps video they posted today. they had their pitbull ambassadors in the SF Gay Pride Parade. my heart has always swelled for the pitbull and their predicament in our society. it requires an education effort and a conscious and implied responsibility for those of us who are pitbull owners.

we have stereotypes applied to our fellow humans and our 4-legged companions - most that need to be re-examined and approached from a more humane and intellectual position. bad rap is one of those groups out there working to make it a better place.

thats all. i dont always have a way with words to say things well. but maybe the meaning comes across. be nice to each other. until we find the magical mystery instructions on how to save the world....maybe a smile and lending a hand can make as big an impact.