Editor's Note: Two-Wheeling Through the Apocalypse

by Brian K. Mahoney, April 26, 2011

May is Bicycle Month
I started writing about Bike Month six years ago. And while not much has changed since I began my annual promotional campaign touting the benefits (personal, global, social) of cycling more and driving less, I recently received an e-mail suggesting another reason to take to the road on two wheels—disaster preparedness.

A publicist in the employ of a bicycle manufacturer sent me the following pitch for a story on their line of bicycles:

When dealing with the unexpected, emergency management officials say people should prepare a kit, plan ahead, and stay informed. You’re familiar with the usual tips: Keep water on hand (a gallon per person per day for at least three days), stock up on nonperishable food, have a NOAA  Weather Radio and extra batteries, etc. But what about a bike?

I represent [X]—a top-selling line of bicycles featuring high-quality designs, performance, and safety components at affordable prices. In a disaster, bicycles offer flexible mobility.

[Mr. X], bike expert, is available to discuss the far-reaching lessons we can all learn in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake. Among other things, when making a bike part of any emergency plan, it’s important to know: how to maintain a bike; how to properly haul cargo on a bike; bicycling rules of the road.

While I appreciate any attempt to get Americans out of the driver’s seat and into the saddle, the most salient far-reaching lesson I learned in the wake of the Japanese tragedy was that I probably live far too close to Indian Point. No amount of frantic pedaling will get those of us in the Hudson Valley far enough away if there’s a meltdown.