Innovating the environment.

Innovating the environment.

The world moves around and around searching for solutions for the pollution on the environment: new policies, New anti pollution norms, electrical cars and still there is a solution so simple and basic that will fit most people needs: the bike.

In the world of innumerous products, solutions, apps and so many solutions we often forget about old and simple solutions for our problems.

About 9 months I moved again to Aveiro. Aveiro was the place where I studied, and I kinda hated it. Everyone talked wonders about it, and I just felt it was "not that good for so much publicity".
Driving a car in Aveiro (apart from stupid) was horrible, with potholes everywhere!
Last year I said that I wouldn't be stupid to drive a car in Aveiro, so I go by bike.
I enjoy so much more the city! When possible I even take new paths just to arrive the work in a better mood.

Some people also ask: what about the rainy days? Well I have 3 options

- Get wet (I am not big fan of cluttered clothing)
- Go by foot with and umbrella (who would tell?! Sometimes we are so "new age" that we forget about this effective solutions)

- Pick up the car and go by car - If in 365 days I pick up my car to work about 10 days I will still not be polluting 345 days! Also, believe me, in the day you pick the car to go to work, you will feel bored and almost sick, missing the freedom of the bike and the freedom to spot almost anywhere and take a picture.

Again, about the bicycle, I can't think of a better solution for every commute:

- you can move will a low amount of energy

- the maintenance is almost non existant and cheap compared to a car (high end bikes are more expensive, but still cheap compared to a car)

- you can ride either small of big distances (from 2kms to 160) you can do it. Think that some eletrical cars can't achieve that!
- you can transport things - extra gear may be needed (bicycle rack, bag, etc)

- you improve your fitness

- you will be sexy as hell, specially if you are girl!

PS: About the bike, anything will do: from the barn find at 25eur, to the top of the range, you can commute in anything. I usually say "use what you already have". And that is what I've done, since I am now living in a small place, and I don't want a third bike there, I opted to commute with my MTB bike. It is a "Race it on Sunday, commute it on Monday!" bike. Limited Edition Commençal Skin Titanium frame, Magura TS8R 100mm Fork, Prototype Zero 26 Wheelset and 2x10spd Shimano XT drivetrain.
More recently I bought a Thule Pack'n Pedal Tour Rack so I can transport my Gym bag and other stuff.
This rack was a bit expensive (about 80eur on wiggle) but it allows to be fixed on any bike (I own 4 and every one is different) even on bikes without fixtures for racks. 

I think during the year, it will pay off for the times I won't pick up the car to go to the gym or to go shopping.