For the majority of us in upstate New York, the morning commute to work is a solo trip in the car. Our relatively rural area makes public transportation an option for only a limited few. Factors such as weather and convenience can compel even those of us for whom walking and biking are options to drive instead.
The Otsego County Conservation Association is looking to change all of that, if only for a day. Friday will mark the area's second annual Bike to Work Day, during which area residents are encouraged to eschew the horseless carriage and find alternate, more Earth-friendly modes of transportation.
According to a news release from OCCA, Bike to Work Day is designed "to encourage people to choose an alternative 'green' mode of transportation _ biking, walking or even skateboarding _ to get to work or school, to run errands, or just for fun on June 4 in particular and as a lifestyle choice in general."
The event was conceived by OCCA's Otsego Regional Cycling Advocates committee, which, according to its mission statement, promotes bicycling and walking "as an enjoyable, healthy, safe and environmentally friendly activity for people of all ages and abilities."
We encourage all who are able to take part in this event, whether to have fun and enjoy what looks to be a day of pleasant weather, or in support of a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Many area employers and organizations, including health care providers, local schools and businesses, have signed on as "check-in locations" where participants can be counted. ORCA is encouraging competition between area businesses to see which can get the most employee participation.
We understand that, for some of our neighbors and colleagues, the car is the only practical way to get to and from the job.
But we encourage even those folks to use Friday as an opportunity to explore alternatives that may make commuting more efficient. Car-pooling may not be feasible as an everyday routine, but even sharing rides for one day a week would cut down on carbon emissions _ and gas costs.
While walking or biking may not always be the most convenient way to get from Point A to Point B, it can have other charms.
Stepping outside the car gives us fresh air, exercise and a chance to see our town or neighborhood from a different perspective. It may push us out of our comfort zone, but that's often a worthwhile experience.
To learn more about this year's event, visit www.occainfo.org/ORCA.htm.
Opinion
Bike to Work Day is worth the effort
- Opinion
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In Memoriam
This message appears each Memorial Day weekend in The Daily Star.
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Letters to the Editor: May 26, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 25, 2012
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Facebook’s IPO last week was supposed to be a moment of triumph for the social network, but the event quickly devolved into an ugly tale of duplicity, hubris and greed, as the stock lost 18 percent of its value in the first two days of trading.
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Letters to the Editor: May 24, 2012
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Heegan must show vision for Chamber
In selecting Barbara Ann Heegan as its executive director last week, the Otsego County Chamber would seem to have chosen a safe rather than a bold path for its immediate future.
- Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 23, 2012
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Can't have a third party without a candidate
What if they gave a party ... and nobody came?
- Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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Cheers
To Bike to Work Day, Cooperstown Quiz Team, Arts Field Day, the SUNY Delhi Centennial.
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Letters to the Editor: May 22, 2012
- Monday, May 21, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 21, 2012
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The world does move
To look at a newspaper from 1912, 1937, 1962 or 1987, it can seem as though positively everything has changed.
- Saturday, May 19, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 19, 2012
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Graduates, take acquired skills, set sail on job voyage
This weekend, many colleges and universities -- including SUNY Delhi and SUNY Oneonta -- will bestow degrees of various levels and types upon their students.
- Friday, May 18, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 18, 2012
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'Whale' failure shows how little has changed
One positive development resulting from JPMorgan's recent $2 billion trading blunder is increased scrutiny of the regulations put in place since 2008 to prevent a repeat of that year's financial collapse.
- Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Taxes spoke louder than sentiment in voting
It has become a virtually immutable fact of modern-day industry and politics. Given the choice between financial interest and sentiment, money always wins.
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Letters to the Editor: May 17, 2012
- Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 16, 2012
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Gas companies need to play nice with residents
"You need to assure me that you are going to talk to the towns." This was Rep. Chris Gibson's plea to the gas companies that are seeking to lay natural gas pipelines through the local area.
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In Memoriam
