Bicycle Transportation. Young Professionals. Stick With Rail?
Even with it being December(winter), with snow on the ground and cold temps it has not deterred people from bicycling to where they need to go. In each city, tons of people cycle because it is how they choose to commute. They have the option of walking, cycling, riding the bus, riding the light rail or taking their car. They don’t have to fight the cold temp, fight the winter weather or break a sweat if they don’t want to. The other thing is people don’t look at them poorly for choosing to cycle. They aren’t mentally branded as poor, homeless or forced to cycle because an alcohol related offense. It is really nice to see how acceptable other modes of transportation are across the country.
One thing that has been kind of disheartening is how many young professionals I observe, hear from and talk with that just go through the daily grind and aren’t involved in their community outside of work. I take that back, they seem to go through the daily grind unless there company is supporting/sponsoring a particular event. Maybe I am making an assumption.
There have been young professionals networks in each place that I have visited so far. They have an interesting aura about them. Each YP group is membership based where you pay yearly dues for exclusive access to their events. If you are not a member you do not attend their events. Another interesting thing is that every time I bring up the local yp group with a young person in the area, they look confused. Few seem to be really involved. I wonder why? Maybe I am making assumptions or maybe they are just focused on their goals.
Monday it was very difficult to stay the path exclusively via rail. Amtrak didn't have space for me on the daily train in the direction I needed to go. Another day with friends will be nice but it took some will power to not buy a direct flight to DC or a warmer climate on the cheap(17 degrees today and a high of 7 degrees tomorrow). After a mental battle back and forth, I decided to not ruin the ongoing hashtag and book a ticket for Tuesday.
Fortunately for me, my friends are awesome and were happy to have me stay another night. I am really going to miss them when I take off tomorrow.
