Finally, after 320 miles and nights in cabins or camping on the ground- I got the wonderful hospitality of my good friend from UVM, Katie, and her family. It was so nice to sleep in a bed again, and she even had champagne waiting to celebrate!
Relatively early the next morning, I took the metro into DC for my first lobby meeting with Senator Menendez. There were three of us total, we decided to ask for a push for a National Complete Streets Campaign. Cindy from the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition came in with us, and she had some great statistics and information about current policies. We asked for Menendez to introduce a national push for streets that are designed for bikes, pedestrians, public transportation and cars- not just automobiles a sis standard today. The idea is to do this as streets need to be repaired or redesigned anyway so it is actually not more expensive. Furthermore, high amounts of car traffic degrade roads faster, so the costs of upkeep would lower.
Relatively early the next morning, I took the metro into DC for my first lobby meeting with Senator Menendez. There were three of us total, we decided to ask for a push for a National Complete Streets Campaign. Cindy from the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition came in with us, and she had some great statistics and information about current policies. We asked for Menendez to introduce a national push for streets that are designed for bikes, pedestrians, public transportation and cars- not just automobiles a sis standard today. The idea is to do this as streets need to be repaired or redesigned anyway so it is actually not more expensive. Furthermore, high amounts of car traffic degrade roads faster, so the costs of upkeep would lower.
After a quick lunch, I dropped by Representative Donald Payne's office to drop off a letter request since I never heard back about a meeting. Turned out I had a 1:30 meeting that Climate Ride never told me about! Luckily, the aides were still available to meet with me and I made my bigger ask on my own. I asked for a resilient city bill. In this bill, all shelter places would be required to have off grid sources of power that do not depend on fossil fuels. During Sandy, not only did the power go out- the gas ran out and so even generators were of no use. Additionally, gas stations should all have an off grid source of power. Of course, i am advocating for solar panels, and that this bill would provide funding/tax breaks/incentives for these places to do so. Finally, the bill would have a requirement for a certain amount of regional, seasonal food production so that when another Sandy situation occurs, no part of the state is cut off from food sources. All of these steps would help support the electric and food grid in a 'green' way but be immeasurably supportive during disaster events. The LA's were very interested in hearing my idea and asked for me to follow up. It overlaps a little with two bills currently introduced: The Smart Grid Research act and the Safer Schools Act, but adds some new elements that might be amendments or might make a new bill altogether.
Getting the instant response and interest in action is exhilarating! I might have to work at this political involvement a bit more! I think mentioning that i rode over 300 miles to deliver that message really helps give it some weight.
I'm still in a bit of shock that I did this- my mom says I'm stubborn- I'd say that's just how much I believe these things are the right things to do. I appreciate the current strategy Obama has unrolled for a cleaner energy future, and that compromise is important. But we now know that the changes are going to occur within my lifetime, and I want to be able to tell my children I kept working at positive solutions toward change. One person cannot solve the problems of the planet, but that doesn't give us the right to add to the existing ones.
So grateful for all of the support and kind words along this journey, and I can't wait for the next adventure to start!
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