Save|VB the|DT World|NNP ,|, Ride|NNP a|DT Bike|NNP a|DT visit|NN to|TO Troy|NNP Bike|NNP Rescue|NN 30|CD .|. Sep|NNP ,|, 2009|CD 
This|DT post|NN is|VBZ the|DT first|JJ of|IN a|DT three-part|JJ series|NN on|IN bike|NN culture|NN .|. 
Come|VBN back|RB Friday|NNP to|TO read|VB about|IN anarchy|NN ,|, bike|NN jousting|VBG ,|, and|CC two-wheeled|JJ social|JJ protest|NN .|. 

Remember|VB when|WRB you|PRP got|VBD your|PRP$ first|JJ bike|NN ?|. 
Was|VBD it|PRP a|DT Christmas|NNP present|NN ,|, or|CC maybe|RB a|DT birthday|NN gift|NN ?|. 
Remember|VB how|WRB much|JJ fun|NN you|PRP used|VBD to|TO have|VB on|IN that|DT bike|NN ,|, how|WRB fast|RB you|PRP went|VBD ,|, how|WRB great|JJ it|PRP felt|VBD ?|. 

Well|RB ,|, these|DT days|NNS ,|, most|JJS kids|NNS want|VBP an|DT Xbox|NNP for|IN their|PRP$ birthday|NN ;|: their|PRP$ parents|NNS ride|VBP around|IN in|IN cars|NNS with|IN seatbelts|NNS ,|, talking|VBG on|IN their|PRP$ phones|NNS .|. 
Cycling|NNP is|VBZ a|DT thing|NN of|IN the|DT past|JJ :|: a|DT sport|NN ,|, a|DT hobby|NN ,|, but|CC rarely|RB a|DT mode|NN of|IN transportation|NN .|. 
But|CC I|PRP 'm|VBP here|RB to|TO tell|VB you|PRP :|: riding|VBG your|PRP$ bike|NN is|VBZ still|RB fun|NN ,|, and|CC still|RB fast|RB ,|, and|CC it|PRP 's|VBZ the|DT cheapest|JJS and|CC most|RBS socially|RB responsible|JJ workout|NN you|PRP 'll|MD ever|RB get|VB .|. 

And|CC there|EX are|VBP no|DT two|CD ways|NNS about|IN it|PRP :|: if|IN you|PRP give|VBP a|DT kid|NN a|DT bike|NN ,|, that|DT kid|NN will|MD ride|VB .|. 

In|IN Troy|NNP ,|, New|NNP York|NNP ,|, I|PRP met|VBD one|CD Andrew|NNP Lynn|NNP .|. 
He|PRP 's|VBZ somewhat|RB of|IN a|DT man|NN brain|NN trust|NN ,|, and|CC one|CD of|IN his|PRP$ best|JJS creations|NNS is|VBZ the|DT Troy|NNP Bike|NNP Rescue|NN .|. 
It|PRP started|VBD in|IN 2001|CD ,|, when|WRB Andrew|NNP would|MD ride|VB around|IN town|NN pulling|VBG bikes|NNS out|IN of|IN dumpsters|NNS .|. 
He|PRP started|VBD hosting|VBG work|NN parties|NNS with|IN friends|NNS in|IN his|PRP$ backyard|NN ,|, teaching|NN them|PRP to|TO fix|VB their|PRP$ bikes|NNS and|CC helping|VBG them|PRP get|VBP started|VBD riding|VBG .|. 
Slowly|NNP but|CC surely|RB ,|, the|DT circle|NN grew|VBD and|CC Andrew|NNP 's|POS backyard|NN parties|NNS became|VBD weekly|JJ workshops|NNS .|. 

When|WRB Andrew|NNP decided|VBD to|TO leave|VB town|NN for|IN a|DT few|JJ years|NNS '|POS schooling|NN in|IN NYC|NNP ,|, friends|NNS and|CC cohorts|NNS took|VBD over|IN operations|NNS .|. 
By|IN the|DT time|NN Andrew|NNP returned|VBD ,|, Troy|NNP Bike|NNP Rescue|NN (|( let|VB 's|POS call|NN it|PRP TBR|NNP )|) had|VBD a|DT life|NN of|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ .|. 
These|DT days|NNS it|PRP 's|VBZ an|DT established|JJ club|NN ,|, run|VBN by|IN volunteers|NNS and|CC donations|NNS ,|, turning|VBG trashed|JJ bikes|NNS into|IN treasures|NNS .|. 
Its|PRP$ influence|NN now|RB includes|VBZ a|DT legitimate|JJ downtown|NN storefront|NN ;|: a|DT sister|NN shop|NN in|IN Albany|NNP (|( Albany|NNP Bicycle|NNP Coalition|NNP )|) ;|: movie|NN screenings|NNS and|CC pro-cycling|JJ political|JJ events|NNS ;|: and|CC a|DT dedicated|JJ core|NN crew|NN that|WDT keeps|VBZ everything|NN rolling|NN .|. 

TBR|NNP 's|POS customers|NNS run|VBP the|DT gamut|NN ,|, from|IN businessmen|NNS to|TO street|NN kids|NNS to|TO college|NN students|NNS to|TO families|NNS .|. 
The|DT one|CD thing|NN they|PRP have|VBP in|IN common|NN ?|. 
They|PRP get|VBP it|PRP .|. 

This|DT group|NN understands|VBZ the|DT value|NN of|IN a|DT bicycle|NN :|: more|RBR than|IN just|RB transportation|NN ,|, a|DT bike|NN is|VBZ a|DT statement|NN against|IN fossil|JJ fuels|NNS .|. 
More|JJR than|IN a|DT toy|NN ,|, it|PRP 's|VBZ an|DT equalizer|NN that|WDT allows|VBZ poor|JJ kids|NNS to|TO ride|VB with|IN rich|JJ .|. 
More|JJR than|IN a|DT hobby|NN ,|, it|PRP 's|VBZ a|DT way|NN of|IN traveling|VBG through|IN the|DT world|NN that|WDT lets|VBZ you|PRP interact|NN ,|, use|NN your|PRP$ muscles|NNS ,|, breathe|VB fresh|JJ air|NN --|: all|DT for|IN the|DT cost|NN of|IN a|DT free|JJ dumpster|NN bike|NN .|. 

When|WRB I|PRP visited|VBD the|DT TBR|NNP shop|NN ,|, it|PRP was|VBD packed|VBN with|IN frames|NNS ,|, wheels|NNS ,|, gears|VBZ ,|, chains|NNS ,|, handlebars|NNS ,|, kids|NNS ,|, and|CC anarchist|NN art|NN (|( the|DT space|NN is|VBZ being|VBG donated|VBN by|IN some|DT supporters|NNS who|WP are|VBP also|RB anti-capitalist|JJ activists|NNS )|) .|. 

TBR|NNP hosts|VBZ workshops|NNS twice|RB a|DT week|NN .|. 
For|IN a|DT few|JJ hours|NNS ,|, the|DT doors|NNS are|VBP open|JJ to|TO anyone|NN who|WP walks|VBZ in|IN .|. 
Tools|NNP are|VBP available|JJ ,|, and|CC volunteers|NNS will|MD help|VB with|IN advice|NN and|CC knowledge|NN .|. 
Parts|NNS can|MD be|VB had|VBN for|IN a|DT pittance|NN ,|, and|CC you|PRP can|MD pick|VB out|RP your|PRP$ own|JJ bike|NN from|IN the|DT stacks|NNS and|CC racks|NNS of|IN machines|NNS filling|VBG the|DT space|NN .|. 

The|DT main|JJ focus|NN of|IN TBR|NNP ,|, however|RB ,|, is|VBZ not|RB selling|VBG bikes|NNS .|. 
The|DT idea|NN is|VBZ to|TO give|VB people|NNS a|DT workspace|NN and|CC teach|VB them|PRP how|WRB to|TO maintain|VB their|PRP$ own|JJ bicycle|NN .|. 
Self-sufficiency|NN is|VBZ a|DT major|JJ tenet|NN of|IN the|DT bike|NN movement|NN ,|, and|CC Troy|NNP Bike|NNP Rescue|NN is|VBZ training|VBG self-reliant|JJ individuals|NNS of|IN all|DT stripes|NNS .|. 

All|DT around|IN me|PRP ,|, college|NN students|NNS and|CC bike|NN punks|NNS tinkered|VBN with|IN their|PRP$ machines|NNS .|. 
An|DT older|JJR man|NN asked|VBD for|IN tips|NNS on|IN tuning|VBG his|PRP$ racer|NN .|. 
A|DT young|JJ kid|NN came|VBD in|IN to|TO say|VB his|PRP$ last|JJ bike|NN was|VBD stolen|VBN and|CC he|PRP needed|VBD a|DT new|JJ one|CD (|( and|CC ,|, despite|IN Andrew|NNP 's|POS stern|JJ reprimand|NN that|IN he|PRP could|MD n't|RB just|RB walk|VB in|IN every|DT week|NN and|CC leave|VB with|IN a|DT free|JJ bike|NN ,|, he|PRP did|VBD just|RB that|IN )|) .|. 

A|DT dad|NN came|VBD in|IN with|IN his|PRP$ three|CD kids|NNS ,|, all|DT of|IN whom|WP left|VBN with|IN snazzy|JJ rides|NNS --|: but|CC first|JJ ,|, they|PRP all|DT sat|VBD down|RB and|CC worked|VBD on|IN their|PRP$ new|JJ wheels|NNS together|RB .|. 

And|CC as|IN we|PRP left|VBN at|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT workshop|NN ,|, a|DT woman|NN walked|VBD up|IN to|TO Andrew|NNP .|. 
"|'' I|PRP love|VBP what|WP you|PRP do|VBP ,|, "|'' she|PRP said|VBD .|. 
"|'' I|PRP have|VBP a|DT whole|JJ bunch|NN of|IN bikes|NNS to|TO give|VB you|PRP .|. "|'' 

See|VB ,|, ultimately|RB TBR|NNP is|VBZ about|IN more|RBR than|IN just|JJ bicycles|NNS .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ about|IN building|NN community|NN ,|, and|CC triggering|VBG a|DT quiet|JJ but|CC inexorable|JJ social|JJ movement|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ not|RB the|DT world|NN 's|POS first|JJ bike|NN collective|JJ ;|: in|IN fact|NN it|PRP 's|VBZ only|RB one|CD of|IN many|JJ that|WDT have|VBP stealthily|RB sprung|VBN up|RP around|IN America|NNP .|. 
These|DT collectives|NNS are|VBP not|RB waiting|VBG for|IN change|NN to|TO happen|VB :|: they|PRP 're|VBP creating|VBG it|PRP through|IN small|JJ ,|, positive|JJ ,|, peaceful|JJ actions|NNS .|. 
You|PRP too|RB can|MD change|VB the|DT world|NN :|: all|DT you|PRP have|VBP to|TO do|VB is|VBZ ride|NN a|DT bike|NN .|. 

Try|VB This|DT at|IN Home|NNP :|: Ride|NNP Around|IN Fall|NN is|VBZ here|RB ,|, which|WDT (|( in|IN most|JJS places|NNS )|) means|VBZ great|JJ riding|NN weather|NN .|. 
What|WP are|VBP you|PRP waiting|VBG for|RP ?|. 

Bikes|NNP are|VBP cheap|JJ :|: you|PRP can|MD get|VB one|CD at|IN your|PRP$ local|JJ thrift|NN store|NN for|IN $|$ 5|CD -|: 50|CD .|. 
It|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB have|VB to|TO be|VB perfect|JJ ,|, just|RB good|JJ enough|RB to|TO get|VB you|PRP places|NNS .|. 
So|RB pick|VB one|CD up|RB ,|, and|CC ride|VB it|PRP to|TO the|DT end|NN of|IN your|PRP$ block|NN !|. 
Then|RB keep|VB going|VBG !|. 

Even|RB if|IN your|PRP$ life|NN requires|VBZ four|CD wheels|NNS ,|, you|PRP can|MD use|VB a|DT bike|NN for|IN local|JJ errands|NNS .|. 
Ride|NNP it|PRP to|TO the|DT corner|NN store|NN when|WRB you|PRP need|VBP milk|NN ,|, instead|RB of|IN driving|VBG across|IN town|NN to|TO the|DT grocery|NN store|NN .|. 
(|( Do|VBP n't|RB like|VB the|DT milk|NN they|PRP sell|VBP ?|. 
Tell|VB the|DT store|NN owner|NN what|WP you|PRP like|VBP ,|, and|CC see|VB if|IN he|PRP 'll|MD carry|VB it|PRP .|. 
Now|RB you|PRP 're|VBP changing|VBG the|DT world|NN .|. )|) 

On|IN weekends|NNS ,|, instead|RB of|IN driving|VBG to|TO the|DT park|NN ,|, hop|NN on|IN your|PRP$ bike|NN and|CC go|VB exploring|VBG .|. 
It|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB have|VB to|TO be|VB a|DT workout|NN :|: you|PRP can|MD just|RB toodle|NN around|IN town|NN and|CC look|VB at|IN stuff|NN .|. 
Or|CC ,|, if|IN you|PRP 're|VBP a|DT gym|NN buff|NN ,|, trade|NN a|DT workout|NN for|IN a|DT bike|NN ride|NN .|. 
Unless|IN you|PRP live|VBP on|IN a|DT major|JJ highway|NN ,|, odds|NNS are|VBP you|PRP can|MD ride|VB straight|JJ from|IN your|PRP$ front|JJ porch|NN to|TO someplace|NN interesting|JJ .|. 

On|IN vacation|NN ,|, rent|NN a|DT bike|NN instead|RB of|IN a|DT scooter|NN (|( or|CC ,|, God|NNP forbid|NN ,|, a|DT Segway|NNP )|) .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ cheaper|JJR ,|, and|CC much|RB better|JJR for|IN the|DT local|JJ flora|NNS &|CC fauna|NNS .|. 

Still|RB not|RB convinced|VBN ?|. 
Then|RB think|VBP of|IN it|PRP this|DT way|NN :|: by|IN riding|VBG your|PRP$ bike|NN instead|RB of|IN driving|VBG your|PRP$ car|NN ,|, you|PRP 're|VBP reducing|VBG your|PRP$ consumption|NN of|IN fossil|JJ fuels|NNS .|. 
You|PRP can|MD even|RB calculate|VB the|DT money|NN you|PRP save|VBP on|IN gas|NN ,|, and|CC keep|VB it|PRP in|IN a|DT jar|NN for|IN a|DT rainy|NN day|NN .|. 

Want|NNP to|TO get|VB involved|VBN ?|. 
Bike|NNP clubs|NNS tend|VBP to|TO be|VB pretty|RB anarchic|JJ ,|, but|CC if|IN you|PRP look|VBP around|IN your|PRP$ community|NN you|PRP 'll|MD find|VB both|DT bike|NN riders|NNS and|CC shop|NN owners|NNS who|WP ride|VBP for|IN change|NN .|. 
Ca|MD n't|RB find|VB a|DT bike|NN community|NN ?|. 
Start|NNP your|PRP$ own|JJ !|. 

5|CD Responses|NNS to|TO "|'' Save|VB the|DT World|NNP ,|, Ride|NNP a|DT Bike|NNP "|'' Karen|NNP Turnbull|NNP 01|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 12:54|NN pm|NN 
what|WP a|DT great|JJ article|NN ,|, i|NNP will|MD be|VB passing|VBG it|PRP on|IN .|. 
In|IN the|DT meantime|NN you|PRP might|MD like|VB this|DT blog|NN post|NN i|NNP cam|NN across|IN :|: http://blog.sophianetwork.org.uk/2009/09/women-tackling-climate-change.html|NN 

Raggedy|NNP Annarchy|NNP 01|CD .|. Oct|NNP ,|, 2009|CD at|IN 12:59|NN pm|NN 
Tried|NNP /|NN shared|VBD /|NN re-tweeted|JJ ,|, with|IN pleasure|NN !|. 
My|PRP$ old|JJ thrift-store|JJ basket-handle|JJ witch-|NN bike|NN was|VBD glad|JJ to|TO see|VB the|DT light|NN of|IN day|NN again|RB .|. 
Even|RB kept|VBD Pansy|NNP in|IN the|DT basket|NN as|IN my|PRP$ Toto|NNP .|. 

Bike|NNP rescue|NN is|VBZ not|RB just|RB for|IN kids|NNS .|. 
One|CD of|IN my|PRP$ dear|RB friends|NNS who|WP ca|MD n't|RB drive|VB to|TO due|JJ to|TO combat|VB injuries|NNS had|VBD her|PRP$ ride|NN stolen|VBN while|IN we|PRP were|VBD sharing|VBG a|DT beer|NN in|IN broad|JJ daylight|NN last|JJ weekend|NN .|. 
Shame|NNP ,|, shame|NN .|. 
Her|PRP$ partner|NN is|VBZ a|DT peace|NN corps|NN alum|NN who|WP also|RB works|VBZ in|IN a|DT bike|NN shop|NN .|. 
I|PRP passed|VBD along|IN this|DT article|NN to|TO her|PRP$ ,|, and|CC she|PRP suggest|VBP that|IN when|WRB we|PRP start|VBP our|PRP$ own|JJ bike|NN rescue|NN ,|, we|PRP 'll|MD do|VB like|IN the|DT U.S.|NNP in|IN East|NNP Timor|NNP did|VBD and|CC graffiti|NN Delta|NNP Bike|NNP Rescue|NN on|IN all|PDT the|DT chassis|NN .|. 

Fall|NN is|VBZ exactly|RB 79|CD %|NN more|RBR tingly|RB when|WRB experienced|VBN by|IN bike|NN .|. 

