As you all know, I love riding my bikes (not both at the same time of course). In my opinion the bicycle is perhaps the greatest and most versatile mechanical device ever created by man. Bikes are used for transportation; bikes are used for sport, bikes are used for exercise; bikes are used for leisure time fun; and bikes are even used for dating - A Bicycle Built For Two (Daisy).
Now the bike has taken a new role: bike used as a means for protest.
On April 27, 2009, a 65 year old man set out from his home in Chula Vista, California on a 3000+ mile bike journey to Washington D.C. Jim Gafney undertook his epic bike ride in order to protest President Obama’s bailout program.
After riding over 2000 miles, Jim’s journey was cut short by a tragic accident. Gafney was on U.S. Route 50, just 60 miles east of St Louis, Missouri, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver.
Jim called his bike journey across America the, “Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S.” He was collecting signatures on a petition asking, among other things, that President Obama end bailouts for banks, decrease the salaries of elected officials and end the use of earmarks. Gafney planned to ride to Washington D.C. to deliver the signatures to Congress.
Jim regularly posted accounts of his journey on YouTube. Today, I wish to pay tribute to Jim Gafney, a man with a vision, who used his bike to protest unfair government policies.
RIP Jim Gafney!
Jim Gafney – In His Own Words
Hail storm!
Musical Tribute - One
Musical Tribute – Two
