Our cars are both a blessing and a curse. Sure, they allow us to reach far and wide and reach all kinds of places in all kinds of weather. But, you have to admin that America is in love with their cars. We have forgotten the joys of walking or riding the short distances from our house to where we are going.
Consider this. For those who want to be better stewards of God’s creation by taking some steps toward reducing their dependency on cars (with the benefit of cutting pollution and becoming a bit more healthy), their commute to church is probably one of the best places to start.
Here are a few reasons why:
- Many people live close enough to where they worship that a walk or bicycle ride can be done at a leisurely pace with not too much physical exertion.
- Sunday is a great day to ride. Streets are less busy. This is great for the person who may not feel comfortable riding heavy weekday traffic.
- Parking at many churches (especially in city locations) is sometimes difficult. When you ride a bike or walk, you free up a space for a visitor.
- In many churches, casual dress is quite acceptable. You can dress for church and a short ride at the same time.
A Plan to Encourage Riding
One of the best ways to get people to ride to church is to have a once a month bike to church day. (in some areas of the country, you may only be able to have them in the Spring, Summer and Fall). Publicize the “ride days” early enough that people have time to plan ahead, think about what they are doing and how they are helping our planet and how they are being good stewards.
Next, make sure that you have a secure place for riders to park and lock their bicycles. If you don’t have a bike rack at your church, now is the time to get (or build) one or two of them. Place these racks near the front entrance so that everyone coming to church can see them and see the bikes that are parked in them.
On the bike to church days, you might want to have “green greeters” who hand out water bottles or water (in recyclable paper cups of course) or snacks to those who ride.
Organize a “bike trade” day. This allows people who have used bikes they no longer need to give them or trade them to people who do. It also allows those who may want to participate but don’t have a bicycle to get or borrow one.
Encourage others to join by designating a kickoff day (we suggest that it is the third or fourth riding Sunday of the season so that people have a chance to get energized by the idea). The week after the kick off day, publicize the oldest and youngest person to arrive on a bike and maybe the shortest and furthest bike trip that day. Also call the local newspaper and let them know of your event.
If you want to tie your biking program into a local missions project, contact a local agency that fixes and re-distributes bicycles to people who need them. Have people in your congregation donate bicycles that they no longer use to the agency. They may not be able to ride, but maybe they can encourage and enable others in this area of stewardship. You may also want to consider having a “bike tune up” class at your church for the community on the week before the kickoff day.
As a green team member, it is a blessing that you have chosen to set an example to others and help them become better stewards of God’s creation. There is no reason that you can’t have fun doing it too!bicycle_rack.jpg
