“If the Governor can get on a bicycle and ride this summer it is a symbol to the rest of us… we all have to change.”
— Gov. Kulongoski
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski rode a bike to work this morning. Afterward, he delivered a brief speech in his office where he said he was trying to “send a message to every citizen in this state.”
The Oregonian published a video (watch it below) of the ride and his speech.
What struck me about the Governor was not so much that he rode his bike (I’d be more impressed if he made it part of his daily regimen), but the way he spoke. He delivered his brief address with conviction and he seemed to have a sincere energy for convincing people to re-think the way they get around.
Below is the transcribed text of his address, followed by the Oregonian video:
“The symbolism of it isn’t so much, look at the governor, it’s trying to send a message to every citizen in this state that climate change is an individual action on each and every one of our parts.
It is important for the public to finally come to grips with the belief that in fact, technology is not going to get us out of this and that this isn’t another one of those issues where the politicians can say well somebody else will pay for it. We’re all going to pay for it because we have all contributed to the conditions we currently have.
The only way that this country and this state can actually make a change is every single citizen has to understand there is a lifestyle change coming to each and every one of us. That’s the message. And that’s what I hope to send out of this. If the Governor can get on a bicycle and ride this summer it is a symbol to the rest of us… we all have to change.”
Watch the video below:
I can hardly wait for the 2009 legislative session!