Bike Guy Has a Global Warming Solution
Chris Alphin is a bicycle messenger in downtown Miami — easily one of the most dangerous jobs in Florida. Alphin often takes his breaks in the bayfront park adjoining the Hotel Inter-Continental. Between deliveries yesterday, he happened to wander into the vicinity of the Serve to Preserve global climate change summit convened by Gov. Charlie Crist.
But when he realized there was a conference on global warming going on, the Miami Beach resident decided to mount a one-man protest. He rode over to the CVS pharmacy, bought poster board and a marker and voilá — instant climate message with his “Human Powered, 0 Emissions” sign.
— Chris Alphin
“I didn’t even know this was going on,” said Alphin. “All these guys with their multi-million-dollar solutions, and there’s not a single bike path in downtown Miami. Riding your bike is not seen as an option.”
Alphin’s politics are currently “in flux,” he said: “I used to be a pretty harsh Republican, but lately I think the Republican Party has been taken over by big business. But it’s the same for the Democrats.” Hence, the flux.
This is his first-ever protest, he said, though he does participate in monthly Critical Mass rides where bicycle riders get together to “celebrate cycling,” Alphin said. He’s realistic about the potential impact of his protest, as he walks his bike back and forth across from the hotel’s portico, behind the hybrids, electric and hydrogen cars on display: “I just hope I can remind somebody about some other options.”
Alphin owns a car, but says while he puts 200 miles on his bike every week, he only drives 50 to 60 miles a month.
If he could say one thing to the politicians and attendees at the summit, Alphin says, “Cycling has got to be part of the solution, especially for trips that are three to four miles or less — if it was safe. But it’s not safe. I ride around the streets of Miami every day, so I’m used to the traffic. But it’s intimidating for someone who’s not used to it, and there are no bike paths, so they are forced to drive.”
With that, the Bike Guy continued his dogged one-man demonstration in the 100-degree heat.