The People-Powered Commute - by Erin Glass

Patty now prefers cycling away from traffic, on San Diego's local mountain trails

This is an example of gaining a little press by talking to a writer about a topic you are knowledgeable about. I found out that Erin Glass was looking for experts on bicycle commuting here in San Diego. Since I'd ridden a bike to and from work for eight years back in the 80's and 90's, I emailed Erin and she decided to use my story in her article. It would have been great to additionally have one of my photos accompany the story, as well as some contact information, but if anyone really wants to find me, they can simply google my name. I don't really expect for any business to start pouring in because of this story; however, every little bit helps when you are striving for publicity. Now I've got a "tear sheet," and Erin knows she can contact me anytime she needs quotes from someone about bicycle commuting and/or video production in San Diego.

Here's an excerpt:

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The daily commute is a well-worn subject of complaint. Driving is expensive, aggravating and isolating. Cars pollute. Traffic jams rob free time and peace of mind....

Cyclist Patty Mooney, 53, a video producer, wasn’t deterred after being hit by a car and sent to the hospital. In fact, instead of suing the driver, she took him out to breakfast after she recovered.

“I figured it was good PR for cyclists,” said Mooney, whose cycling motivation includes health (both hers and the planet’s) and a sense of freedom. “There are drivers that resent cyclists, though cyclists have the same rights as drivers.”

For example, a Los Angeles physician allegedly injured two cyclists in January by slamming his brakes in front of them. He told police at the scene it was “to teach them a lesson,” one that included broken teeth, a broken collar bone, a severed nose.

Still, Mooney, who commuted 15 miles a day on her bike for eight years before working from home, doesn’t let drivers intimidate her. Once, while riding near Home and Fairmount Avenue, someone threw a chain at her from a passing car.

Maybe it was the wind in the hair, maybe it was the thrill of a cyclist’s independence, but Mooney did not peddle quickly and quietly away.

“I should have taken their license plate, but I rode up, zoomed over to driver’s side and emptied my water bottle on the driver’s head,” she said. The car was full of shady-looking, tough guys, the type with bandannas and tattoos. For a second no one moved.

Then what happened?

“Oh,” she said. “They started laughing.”

Erin Glass is SDNN’s health and lifestyle editor. Read her full story here: San Diego News Network - The People-Powered Commute.