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 ._. 

