Many may know or have seen local cyclist Karta Purkh Khalsa. Last month he had a great letter to the editor published in the KC Star. Here it is:
Kansas City Star
Feb. 24, 2008AS I SEE IT: Riding a bike is lifetime thrill
I must be honest and state initially that I am an unabashed bicycle enthusiast and you will hear only one side of the story from me.I currently own two bikes. Over the years since adolescence, some 50 plus years ago, I have probably owned around 20. So, I confess to a certain unassailable and nearly fanatical love affair with the bicycle.H.G. Wells once said he would “never despair for the human race as long as he saw adults on bicycles.” Each time I ride, I feel better about myself for numerous reasons. I’m improving my own health for one.
For another, by not driving my trusty, rusty, dusty car, so I’m not polluting anybody’s air. And so forth as you’ve heard from far smarter fellows than myself.
The way in which I move my overage, overweight body on a bike has not changed for more than a century since the bicycle was invented.
It is elegant, efficient and except for the spandex tights, almost beautiful.
The growing bicycling community proves it to be a serious mode of transportation, a serious vehicle for recreation, a serious vehicle for competition and a very serious object for debate about it’s place in transportation planning.
Look at the Web sites devoted to bicycling in the Kansas and Missouri area straddling the state line. There are at least 10 websites that I know of that cover it. I’m sure there are more as can be attested to by better informed cyclists than myself.
There are lots of things to talk about when you talk about bikes. There’s bicycle safety, bike lanes, trails, helmets, sharing the road with cars and cars sharing the road with us. I want to do my part as just about every cyclist I know wants to do his or hers.
So let’s talk. If you disagree, let’s talk about that. Dialogue is good; maybe we’ll both learn something.
Just don’t try and talk me out of riding my bike — 50 years, a few spills, stolen bikes, long grinding hills and the laughter of onlookers hasn’t persuaded me to get off my saddle (bicycle seat) so you probably won’t.
Karta Purkh S. Khalsa is a yoga teacher. He lives in Kansas City.
