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This post is also available in French.
"I've seen some of the highest performance bicycles in the world, but I believe the most powerful bicycle is the one in the hands of a girl fighting for her education, or a mother striving to feed her family."
- F.K. Day, Founder of World Bicycle Relief
The rainbow jersey, Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, or Vuelta a Espana—that's what usually comes to mind when we think of cycling. However, elite cycling is only one small spoke of a much larger wheel.
By some estimates, there are already more than two billion bikes in use around the world. By 2050, that number could be as high as five billion. Over 50 percent of the human population knows how to ride a bike. In China, 37.2 percent of the population use bicycles. In Belgium and Switzerland, 48 percent of the population rides. In Japan, it is 57 percent, and in Finland it's 60 percent. The Netherlands holds the record as the nation with the most bicycles per capita. Cyclists also abound in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is considered the most bicycle-friendly city in the world. It's known as the "City of Cyclists," where 52 percent of the population uses a bike for the daily commute. Bicyclist commuters are generally healthier than those who drive motor vehicles to work. They also remain unaffected by OPEC decisions about crude oil production or the price per barrel.
Due to the size of China's population, and the need for bicycle transportation, statistics on the country's bikeshare program are staggering. In a database maintained by Russell Neddin and Paul DeMaio, more than 400,000 bikeshare bikes are used in dozens of cities on the Chinese mainland, and the vast majority of those bikes have been in operation since 2012. There are an estimated 822,000 bikeshare bikes in operation around the world. China, therefore, has more bikeshare bikes than all other countries combined. The country with the next-highest number of bikes is France, which has just 45,000.
For many years, the world has produced over 100 million bicycles per year. In comparison, car production oscillates at around 60 million units per year. Bikes are used every day and on every inhabited continent, in the most affluent nations as well as developing and the least developed countries. This makes sense; cycling is often the fastest, most flexible, and reliable way of getting around cities.
In Europe alone, 655,000 people are directly employed in cycling production, services, tourism, and other facets of the industry—more jobs than in mining and quarrying and almost twice as many that work in the steel industry. The European Cyclists' Federation has a very simple message for governments and local authorities: "You know that investing in cycling is justified from your transport, climate change, and health budgets. Now we can show clearly that every cycle lane you build and every new cyclist you create is contributing to job growth. Investing in cycling provides a better economic return than almost any other transport option. This should be your first choice every time."
According to the European Trade Union Confederation, the cycling industry is another example of the way that, with the appropriate investment, a transformation to a green, low-carbon economy can create jobs. Growth in the cycling economy should, thus, have a higher job creation potential than, for example, in the automotive industry, which employs three times fewer people per million euros of turnover.
The bicycling industry not only providse economic benefits, but shifting trips from cars to bicycles helps reduce congestion, air pollution and CO2 emissions as well as improve riders' health. The value of the contribution of cycle use in Europe has been estimated at between €143-155 billion annually, with 80 percent of those benefits arising from reductions in mortality alone. Danish research found that the risk of death for daily cycle commuters is almost 40 percent lower than for non-cycle commuters, even after taking into account leisure transport and other physical activity (Andersen et al, 2000).
Should we who work in development pay attention to the immense popularity of cycling and the prevalence of bicycles? Does bicycle ownership offer the potential to enhance lives for people in need? Below is an example that the World Bank Group community might want to look at as we ask those questions.
World Bicycle Relief (WBR) is a nonprofit organization whose motto is, "Mobilizing People through the Power of Bicycles." Since 2005, WBR has distributed more than 200,000 specially designed, locally assembled bicycles to students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. They also have trained more than 1,000 local candidates as field mechanics to ensure that bicycle owners have access to qualified maintenance.
According to the WBR, compared to walking, children and adults with bicycles are able to reduce their commute times by up to 75 percent. As a result, they have more time to study, are more productive, and experience less fatigue. With a bicycle, entrepreneurs can now travel four times further, carry more goods (load capacity is increased five-fold), and increase profits up to 50 percent. In schools where students were given bikes, attendance rates rose by an average of 27 percent and academic performance improved by up to 59 percent. Healthcare workers on bikes have also been able to visit more than twice the number of patients per day.
In South Africa, where there are 16 million schoolchildren, 12 million walk to school. Of these, 500,000 walk more than one hour each way, spending two or more hours getting to and from school each day. Undeniably, giving these children bicycles would have a positive impact.
And global leaders are taking note. Just last week at one of the world's most exclusive gatherings, a challenge was issued: Bring the barrier of distance to the forefront of global development, presenting the bicycle as a solution. World Bicycle Relief, together with UBS, The UBS Optimus Foundation and the World Economic Forum, hosted The Davos Challenge: Walk for Education. Industry and political leaders were challenged to walk the same distance as a typical child walks to school each day in rural South Africa. For every six kilometers walked, UBS and UBS Optimus Foundation agreed to donate a bicycle through World Bicycle Relief to a young student in South Africa. Global leaders walked 15,000 kilometers and, as a result, WBR will distribute more than 2,500 bicycles. The impact for these students, their families and the surrounding community will be powerful and long lasting.
When the people of Copenhagen were asked why they choose to ride their bikes rather than ride in a car or on public transportation they answered simply "because it's the fastest way of getting around in the city." The bicycle offers an economic, comfortable, easy, and sustainable way of human mobility— for the rich, and the poor. It's still a major mode of transport for many cities in emerging countries and could continue to be if encouraged as an alternative to the car. Walking and cycling represent up to 90 percent of trips in these cities, yet facilities for these modes constitute "less than one percent of the project expenditures" on transport at World Bank Group (Gakenheimer and Dimitriou, 2011, p 205).
Problems related to congestion in the cities of the emerging world continue to grow and will grow faster than any investment in new roads could match. India's motor vehicle fleet is forecast to grow from 73 million in 2005 to 364 million by 2025 (Gakenheimer and Dimitriou, 2011, p 207. Investing in facilities for cycling as a clean, healthy alternative to motorbikes and cars will help reduce congestion and pollution. It will also provide access to cheap transportation in countries where up to a quarter of a person's income is currently spent on mobility.
The Sustainable Development Goals include sustainable transport, but presently the main focus is on public transport. With careful investment—including making sure there is a provision for bikes in every major transport project—the high levels of cycling in the developing world can be fostered and maintained. This offers huge potential for cost savings and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The World Bank Group already recommends the development of better infrastructure for cyclists, but too many schemes still only deal with increased motor traffic or public transport that is beyond the financial means of the poorest.
Bicycles for all? Certainly it is an idea worth considering. According to Tim Blumenthal of People for Bikes: "When people cycle, great things happen." Wouldn't you agree?
Why don't we at the World Bank Group start to consider finding a way to help people out of extreme poverty and into shared prosperity… by rolling on two wheels?
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Photographs courtesy of World Bicycle Relief
I love the analogy about the
I love the analogy about the small spoke and the big wheel. Cycling is a wonderful and affordable idea that can give hope to many people who have need and who lack transportation to support their families. Thank you so much for bringing this important information to light. It makes me think that people in developed countries who have extra bikes in their garages should have options readily available to donate them to organizations that will distribute them where needed.
Haven't you heard of Bicycles
Haven't you heard of Bicycles for Change ? They are having a donation day at St Ives Showground next Saturday 28 th 11 AM to 3 PM . It has existed for many years .
Our "Bikes for Lesotho"
Our "Bikes for Lesotho" project began sending used bikes to orphans and other disadvantaged people in 2012. There were less than one hundred bikes in the entire kingdom at that time. There are now a few thousand, mostly ours. There is no better return on investment than a bike. The cost to send, repair (in country), distribute and maintain each bike is about $30. Our bottleneck is funding (donations and grants) since we have an abundant supply of bikes in Chicago. You can find us on Facebook.
This is absolutely the way to
This is absolutely the way to go. The only problem is that most of the middle income and developing nations don't invest in infrastructure for cycling. With this kind of infrastructure, cycling becomes dangerous and the probabilities of one dying from cycling related accidents increase. A good start would be to invest in cycling lanes, cycling parkings etc. As World bank co-funds most of the infrastructure projects in these countries, maybe it is a high time they promoted the idea of cycling lanes and this will go a long way towards green energy and a healthy populace.
By promoting low cost, highly
By promoting low cost, highly efficient bicycles rather than petrol powered vehicles with all of the problems that go along with them, more people can benefit more quickly and a stronger more stable society will result. Bicycles are sustainable technology, they are the smart way to go!
En El Salvador, una mujer
En El Salvador, una mujer adulta, víctima de la violencia intrafamiliar, usó su afición por la bicicleta en su propia restauración económica y emocional
Great article! I can't
Great article! I can't remember where I read: "the economic system will not promote bikes because bikes may change the economic system".
In Madrid (Spain) we are making steps forward for the cycling promotion through www.mueveteenbicipormadrid.com, but our society is too car-oriented. That shouldn't surprise us, It's been many years of very good commercials of cars...
Couldn't agree more!
Couldn't agree more!
"Investing in cycling provides a better economic return than almost any other transport option." The return of investing in cycling is very broad, not only economic, but also environment, health, and happiness of life! Thanks for promoting the importance of cycling to make this world better!
Cycling should become a
Cycling should become a priority in our current society. This could ease the emission of gases and decrease traffic congestion. Along with that, the health benefits are very important for well-being of our society.
I remember my first
I remember my first experience in The Gambia. west Africa in 1980 as a college student participating in an exchange program. Traveling through the country to the village where I would work, I was struck by a scene of a healthcare worker making his way on bicycle. What an amazing way to get from place to place enjoying the beautiful countryside I thought. Then, BAM, our transport hit one of the many deep and rugged potholes. Pulled over to the side to change the immediate flat tire, I then thought how tough it must be to maneuver on these roads in the back country by bicycle weaving around these potholes on the roads and dirt paths. I applaud ideas and programs that put bicycles in the hands of folks-- it is cheap, green, and a healthy means of getting around-- but it's most beneficial when the infrastructure is adequately developed to support the bikes. I agree that we should have bicycles for all. I just also think a smooth path on which to ride them is necessary too.
Society have change rapidly
Society have change rapidly over the years. with the increase in cars for transportation, we are polluting the earth. we take things for granted in the United States of America. our neighbors arcoss the globe are walking miles happy while we complain. the cycling should become a trend for America.
Much of the world is "carrupt
Much of the world is "carrupt" (including where I'm at in Caronto, Ontcario), and bikes don't work for all of us at all times. But we need to bike local and thus act global to trim sins of emissions plus just get around in a simpler, better, faster, cheaper way than the mobile furnace/carcoon. Thanks for this.
I'm impressed with the
I'm impressed with the statistics about children in schools! With nearly 30% increase in attendance, many more children will have improved chances for a healthy and productive life.
This is a great idea
This is a great idea depending on location. In the city bikes would be more efficient then cars and buses. In others it's faster and easier to use public transportation. As a society we desire to have a car more then any other method of transportation. As before great idea, but would be a real challenge to get people to change.
Using a bicycle more often
Using a bicycle more often than a motor vehicle is a very simple way people can reduce their carbon footprint and make their commute much more environmentally friendly. With the addition of the Captial Bikeshare stations in many areas around the DC Metro area, I feel that we are making progress towards using bicycles more than motor vehicles. This article cites many reasons why using a bicycle is much better for the environment and for the rider. More people should understand the benefits of using a bicycle and then we can increase the amount of people using bicycles!
We need to change from cars
We need to change from cars to bikes. They're more economicly friendly than a car. More than half of the world's population knows how to ride a bike. More bikes=less carbon dioxide emissions.
Bicycling is by far the most
Bicycling is by far the most sustainable form of personal transportation available. No pollution is produced. No paved roads are worn down. It makes no noise pollution. It is the only form of transportation that makes the operator more healthy when used.
Bicycling indeed can
Bicycling indeed can positively impact us all! I agree that bikes facilitates ones way to maneuver around in the city. It saves one money, helps our earth planet, less pollution will spread, and helps one's body to get it moving. In my parents' country, El Salvador, whenever I go to visit the majority of the people ride bicycles to the market, to school and to even church. It is just a faster and cheaper mode of transportation. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
I agree with the mission you
I agree with the mission you and the World Bank Relief are trying to accomplish by providing bicycles to everyone. People fail to realize that riding bicycles instead of automobiles reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. Also, most third world countries don't have access to cars, so providing bicycles for them will make their lives easier. In many congested cities using bicycles is the only means of transportation left in order to get around. Countries are used to walking therefore, everyone else should follow in their footsteps and begin using alternative means of transportation that doesn't hurt the Earth. The only challenge will be to actually change countries that depend solely on cars for transportation to switch to bicycles.
The quote by Antonio Garnero,
The quote by Antonio Garnero, "Let's ride against climate change," defines the reason behind the cycling movement. In today's society global warming has affected the climate change all around the world and it is time the people do something to stop it. Getting the population to use bicycles will greatly cut greenhouse gas emissions and in return crate a better environment for us. It is inevitable the global temperature will continue to rise therefore, society has to do anything in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the air. Cities are experiencing more overcrowding and congesting thus producing more carbon dioxide, imagine if everyone there was using bikes instead. I agree that switching to bicycles is the way to go!
There are already countries around the world such as Norway, Sweden, Germany and Denmark who have the majority of their population using bikes instead of cars. There are billions of bicycles available throughout the world and more and more people are switching to cleaner means of transportation. Bicycles are the fastest way of getting around in cities and it is a reliable means of transportation. Bicycles are also inexpensive which means third world countries can afford them and have access to them. Organizations such as World Bank Relief help those in need by providing bicycles for them. These people benefit from bicycles because it makes traveling quicker and easier rather than walking.
The biggest challenge will be getting people on board for this mission because most depend on their car for transportation. However, soon enough bicycles will replace cars as a cheaper and more reliable transportation. Bicycles will be more efficient at helping people get around, and it will benefit all aspects of society. In the end people need to look into greener ways of moving around rather than leaving carbon footprints because the Earth won't last forever. There are already people and organizations taking steps into promoting bicycle use and they should continue pushing everyone to switch. It will be difficult for first world countries to change because they are not used to bikes but with congestion rising I'm sure they'll change. It'll take time but at least people are doing something to help the climate.
Use your bicycle more often
Use your bicycle more often
Many people know about increasing bicycle users can reduce carbon dioxide in atmosphere, and many students, environment group staff, and charity members publish those issue to public. However, transmit meaning to public well. If we can give a new motivation and change awareness specifically, more people will participate to use bicycle than auto mobile.
"When people cycle, great
"When people cycle, great things happen." I can't help repeating this sentence! Cycling is a magic sports. It gives you good workout,good mood, and meanwhile, less pollution to the environment. I am so glad to see that cycling is getting extremely popular in China these years. Trust me,as someone who hopes to be done with the air pollution,nothing is better than having a cleaner earth.
While cycling might be
While cycling might be convent and help in some situations it is not a magic cure all. When a bike is used its peices get worn down and needs replaced like all machines, and so without proper matnance those 2500 bikes are going to be 2500 frames in the dump. All transport systems need a support system to help keep them running.
Great facts in this article
Great facts in this article and as we sit in the rain (instead of snow) in Idaho this February it reminds me that for all the reasons noted in this story - we need to think about how we build a safe healthy world for the growing population. Driving off into the sunset will ultimately end the party for us all.
Bicycling is a perfect way to
Bicycling is a perfect way to stay green & lower the air pollution. It is also a perfect way to reduce the obesity in the United States plus other countries around the world. But this could also have its down fall, if places that you need to go to needs automotive transportation. which in today's society is mostly focused upon.
Regular bicycling has health
Regular bicycling has health benefit, positive externalities, and pollution reduction. If we assign a new motivation and change awareness to bicycle users successfully, many other people will be interested and participate to use bicycle than vehicles. That will lead to positive environmental and economic effect in the world.
It's true that bicycling
It's true that bicycling helps with climate change, but more emphasis should be put on the health benefits of cycling. The article mentions several positive health effects of bicycling.It states that children and adults who rode bicycles were able to reduce their commute time, which resulted in more energy, more productivity, and more time to study. World Bicycle Relief studied Health care workers who rode their bikes and found that they visited many more patients everyday. Danish research showed that people who rode their bikes daily lowered their death rate by almost 40 percent compared to those who didn't ride theirs. This article also mentioned that riding bikes reduces pollution, which is obviously healthier than more pollution. However, there are many more health benefits than just these.
A recent article from the Huffington Post (09/03/2014) lists some of the positive benefits from cycling. Cyclists are in really good shape. They burn over 500 calories per hour. Biking is an excellent way to get your heart rate up. Cyclists use a lot of different types of muscles including quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and even your core. Biking doesn't put pain on your joints like running does. Cyclists have a lot of energy- more energy than those who don't cycle. Cyclists live longer due to the intensity of the exercise.
Many health organizations agree that cycling has all these benefits and more. This is very important to mention because it will motivate people for personal reasons, while it also works toward having a green planet. Let's start riding for ourselves and for our planet!
Obviously bicycling is way
Obviously bicycling is way more economy friendly than vehicles. Depending on where you live and where you want to go whether its far or close bicycling would be a better choice of transporting yourself to your destination. It's so impressing how more than half of the world's population uses more bicycles than vehicles.
I think its really hard for a
I think its really hard for a society that is so use to driving cars to switch to cycling. But, if everyone started the movement to ride a bike then it would make the environment so much better. Cycling not only helps to save money but to stay in shape. There are many benefit that come from cycling. It would be great to see people bicycling everywhere.
Bicycles would be a great
Bicycles would be a great alternative to our dear four-wheeled friends (aka our cars). For traditional cities, and cities whose design allows this green mode of transportation, cycling could be a miraculous cure for our environment. However, for most industrial cities, such as the United States, this might not be the most ideal answer. Using cars might be so ingrained in our mindset, that this change would take decades and decades to be fully implemented. And accepted.
Cycling is so important
Cycling is so important around the world. I think cycling should be something us Americans do more. Just by reading how much healthier a person is by riding a bike daily is unbelievable to me. Just owning a bicycle is life changing for others. Lets find a way to change the WORLD!
Before reading this article,
Before reading this article, I saw a bicycle as a toy. It was something I would use during a nice summer day to play around with as a kid. I must admit that I am that person who looks for a parking spot nearest to the store just because I don't feel like walking much. It's straight laziness. It never crossed my mind how important a bicycle can be not only for me but for other people around the world. After reading this article, I now have a new understanding for cycling.
Cycling has become a big way of transportation for millions around the world. For cities that suffer from so much traffic congestion this is the way to go. Just by making cycling part of your everyday life not only do you help save our planet but your health as well. Its crazy to think that those who cycle have a 40% chance of living longer than those who don't. For those who live in poverty owning a bike is life changing. Its crazy that child in South Africa walk hours to go to school. I can only imagine how exhausted they are before their school day has started. Giving those kids a bike gives them the opportunity to have less of a commute time. Also. its nice to know that cycling will open the doors to many job opportunities for people.
Lets give cycling a chance. We can become eco-friendly people. We can reduce congestion, air pollution and CO2 emissions just by changing our transportation. Lets get our cycle on!
I think it's time we ought to
I think it's time we ought to do something with a long-lasting effect against climate change. We need to mobilize the people and spread the facts. We need to do less talking and more doing. The world isn't foreign to conversations intended to elicit passion for movement that would die down soon. I think and hope this movement against climate change won't end up in that lot.
There is great potential to tap and make great use of all around the world. We need leaders with initiatives that aim to guide these potentials to a better cause than ourselves.
The 'Bicycle' alternative to cars can do great deal of advocacy for this cause. Bikes promote healthy commute routine and life style. And they do so without emitting toxic to the environment. Although the motive of making bicycles all-inclusive transportation alternatives is rather abrupt and would be less favored by most, I believe officials and researchers can develop ways where setbacks with this aspect would be obviated.
I can only be happy with the
I can only be happy with the general trend in your article. However, being a chauvinist Dutch, I would like to point out that your figures can work against you if not quoted properly. Copenhagen is certainly not the most bike friendly city in the world. Indeed 52% use their bike to go to work /school but that figure halves when one looks at the figure for all trips in Copenhagen which is 26%. My message: Yes! Cycling is a real tool for everybody, but don't burden this great potential with inflated figures. that others might abuse or be intimidated by. Velo Mondial is ready, from Amsterdam, to assist the World Bank.
Cycling should become a
Cycling should become a priority in our current society. This could ease the emission of gases and decrease traffic congestion. Along with that, the health benefits are very important for well-being of our society. Recently, there has been an increase in healthy lifestyles. This agenda for cycling can be very convincing to the people aiming for a healthier lifestyle.
Cycling should become a
Cycling should become a priority in our current society. Nowadays, there is an increasing value of fitness and being healthy. People are exercising more and eating organic foods. The new wave of people concerned with their health should also be interested in riding their bikes rather than driving.This could ease the emission of gases and decrease traffic congestion.
Cycling can become an interest for people that waste time commuting. Rather than sitting in traffic in the morning rush hours, they can just ride their bikes to work without worrying about being late to work. The levels of stress that exists in work can also be lowered because cycling can help ease stress. An increase in the amount of cyclists can also influence the community into pushing for more public bikes. This could also have a greater impact in the community.
The societal impacts are very important. Cycling can also contribute to society because this would mean less people need to stop for gas and road conditions would improve. The level of automobile accident related deaths would decrease because people would be more on their bicycles. In various countries, cycling has had a better impact on their society. This example in other societies should be followed to create a more eco-friendly world.
It is amazing to believe that
It is amazing to believe that one small object can make a whole nation change. It makes many nations join together to make a change. You would have known that riding a bike every day can be making change in the nation and not only in the nation but also in our self's. Riding a bike can save us a lot of money. The change has been made around the world. But we still need to expand the voice around other countries so that the change can continue. With bikes there is no harm being made to the environment, which means no pollution. This is a good way and helpful tool that transports you to many places.
The change can be made, the only thing we have to do is start. We need to expand the voice and let other people know the damage that is being made when we ride cars, buses, taxis. It can all work out and at the same time we can save a whole lot of money. We need to make a change now before it is too late. With all these cities where a lot of transportation takes place is where mainly the voice should be expanded. An example is New York city, this city is a big city filled with a lot of population of people that have busy schedules and sometimes don't even have time to be taking a bus, or cab. These are the ones we need to reach too.
Tell them about riding bikes how healthy it is and how helpful it is economic wise. It is a very helpful tool and get you to the place you want. It is amazing how in China is one of the most tools being used and over 40,000 people are now riding bikes around the world. The second country that is putting this for use is Paris. It is amazing how one small object can help in so many ways. It still transports you to your destination and you don't even have to stop for Gas.
The change can be made but it has to start with you to expand the word in our communities, schools, jobs, friends, and family. Do the change.
In a way, bikes bring to mind
In a way, bikes bring to mind romanticized images of the past. When I think of bicycles, I think of the roaring twenties' incessant change and fast pace-life. A period where bikes were men's, women's, and children's best friends.
However, the clock is constantly ticking, and our society has since greatly evolved. Redesigning huge cities and mindsets to become bike-friendly again is one crushing task.
Bicycling will change the way
Bicycling will change the way students go to school in South
Africa. I really support bicycling. This can save a great amount of time for students who walked to school and back in South Africa.It is an Eco-friendly way of transportation. It can Change the World.
These ways of changing life in Africa from hours of walking to mins in bicycling. The effects would be extraordinary. I grew up with always being in a car to point a to point b. I would agree that using a bicycle to go to school is healthy and avoids traffics. It is not polluting the world. It is easily to use. 50% of the world knows how to ride a bike. And out of those can teach others to ride a bicycle. We can start making a move from cars to bicycle with great push for Eco-friendly transportation.
I read this article a couple
I read this article a couple times and decided to talk to people about it. So I asked a friend of mine what he thought about cycling as a primary source of transportation. The answer I got was not one I expected but one I could understand. He said "sure, I would definitely ride a bike everywhere if I didn't have to worry about a 16 yr old hitting me and possibly killing me because he or she does not know how to drive". Recently on the news, there have been some cases where bicyclists died due to incidents with vehicles. And even though those cases aren't as relatively high compared to other cases, the information alone can change ones mind about doing something if their safety is at stake.
I feel like if there is an effective way to ensure the safety of bicyclists, more people will take the initiative because it is a very good one. Cycling is important in our climate change mission. Why? One reason noted from "Cycling For A Green Planet" is the bicycle's sheer global popularity and prevalence. People actually like biking and it's easy to obtain in many countries. What I don't understand is, why the U.S. isn't a big factor in this initiative. 37 percent of China's population ride bicycles, 48 percent of Belgium and Switzerland commute by bikes, 57 percent in Japan and 60 in Finland. Where is the U.S. data in this initiative?
I get the gist that not enough people are aware of the initiative #Sport4Climate or they just don't care. People seem to care only when situations affect them immediately. But this is something where if we wait for the situation gets to grave standards it'll be too late to do anything to stop. Humans and politics have a tendency to try to implement or fix something AFTER is has had bad effects. For once, we should change and improve our cause so our effect will tolerable
I found this article very
I found this article very interesting. I didn't know that bicycles were preferred as a global tool for commute. And to a greater surprise, I did not think it could be used as a means to improve our economy and environment. It's very smart and efficient. If people use the media in a responsible way to inform others about the initiative it can have a positive change for us all.
Biking has been around for a
Biking has been around for a long time it is one of the oldest ways to get anywhere. It is much safer than most other transportation. You also get a workout when you ride a bike. Another thing is if you get in a bike on bike accident it will be way less severe then a car on car accident.
I didn't know that Bicycles
I didn't know that Bicycles were so popular around the world. Bicycles are easily one of the most beneficial tools to help the earth stay healthy. It is also interesting that bicycles can help our health in a variety of ways. I loved how the students in South Africa were given bicycles so they wouldn't have to walk an hour to and from school. Lastly about using bicycles in the city, I had never thought about how bicycles are the fastest way to get around them.
I found this to be a very
I found this to be a very good article. I wasn't expecting to see the high percentages of bicycle users in other countries. It's nice to see that bicycles are very much depended on around the world, even in underdeveloped nations. I would have liked to know what America's percentage of bicyclers is because I don't see many people using them here. And I am somewhat interesting in learning how to ride a bike after reading this.
You brought up a lot of great purposes that the bicycle has that I didn't think about. I never thought about them being the fastest way to get around in cities, and that is probably my favorite quote from this article. I also wasn't aware about how big the bicycle industry is, and how many jobs can be provided from it. I agree that bicycles are extremely beneficial to the earth and our daily lives in multiple ways. And I loved how giving students bicycles improved their attendance and their academic performance.
However I didn't understand the Davos Challenge. Why did they give out one bicycle after six kilometers? The total was 15,000 kilometers walked and only 2,500 bicycles were distributed, but there are 500,000 students who walk to and from school. They should have given out way more bicycles. It was a nice event and a lot of people did get bicycles, but only a small portion of the group.
Let's face it, we (humans)
Let's face it, we (humans) are destroying our mother Earth. The planet that gave us life, we are taking advantage of and killing. We need to preserve our planet and environment. Not just for us, but more importantly for our children and future generations to come. So what can we do to help our environment? The answer to this question is very simple, use a bicycle instead of a car!
This article highlights a plethora of reasons why making a simple switch from car to bike will have major implications on the local and global environment. Notably, using a bicycle would greatly reduce a person's carbon footprint and would keep the rider in good physical shape. In another article written by Dr. Sibilski on the Connect4Climate website, Dr. Sibilski noted how the people in Copenhagen say that "[their] bicycle offers an economic, comfortable, easy, and sustainable way of human mobility - for the rich, and the poor." And quite frankly, the people of Copenhagen are 100% correct.
As for local efforts here in Montgomery County, the Capital Bikeshare program has started to make its way into MoCo and so far it has seen much success. The only thing that is holding back more cyclists in MoCo, is the lack of bicycle friendly streets. Yes, there are some bike lanes in a few neighborhoods, but if there was a way to safely install bike lanes on almost every road (most importantly Rockville Pike), then I feel that more people would be inclined to use the bicycles to get around because they are convenient, quick and most importantly, safe. There is a lot that we can do to change the world, and something as simple as using a bicycle more often than a car can, and will change the world.
While this article held some
While this article held some good information to it, I fond myself personally able to stand behind it for one simple reason. I myself cannot ride a bike I tried in the past, and couldn't get it down, I never have been able to ride a bike, and at this age, I don't think I'd be able to learn it.
Simply put, while the idea is wonderful, and has helped all of these people, I find myself unaffected simply because it is urging me to take part in something I am physically incapable of joining. How does that tie into this? How does that work? I don't really think it fair that I should be punished or looked down upon for something I just can't do.
Bikes are a very good
Bikes are a very good substitute for vehicles for city life. I believe that there can be a day where majority of people can ride bikes. But that will be a slow process getting there. It was interesting how the bike industry is still booming in some areas.
This was an interesting read.
This was an interesting read. I haven't heard a lot on this subject, but I feel as it deserves more airplay. I'm interested to do more research on cycling, particularly as it relates to global economic development. The environmental aspect of this discussion also can't be ignored, and as we see increasingly, can cause have real economic impacts within an economy. I look forward to seeing a greater focus on non-automotive transportation in the coming years, and I think articles like this one provide an excellent starting point.
The idea of cycling to help
The idea of cycling to help our planet earth sounds like a brilliant idea to me! Cycling is not only can be consider as a sport now but it can also be put into play in our daily lives. One of the best childhood memories anyone can have is remember the first time they rode a bike. It takes complete time and patience. Thanks to our parents, relatives, and friends we were able to learn how to ride a bike just like we learned how to swim. It takes baby steps to learn how cycle, just like how it takes to make our planet green.
I remember the different types of cuts and bruises I would get from learning especially since I learned at a later age compared to other kids. Cycling is not only a one person thing but it's something a family does together. I would remember my dad, my brother, and I grabbing our bikes in the afternoon and just have a stroll in the park. These were unforgettable and cherishing moments. Cycling in this case can be promoted to the family as a whole, which will just improve not only our well-being but also the planet.
In the city it's always hectic and takes eternity to arrive at your destination. There's people continuously crossing the streets, load of traffic everywhere you turn, buses on both sides which delays your commute especially in the morning. Cycling as you say, is a beneficial way of arriving to work, getting one's body fit, and minimizing pollution. This mode of transportation is cheap and harmless. It's definitely something the whole family can get together to do and have fun while at it.
I agree with you and I definitely support cycling as a mode of transportation we should all use more often. Other countries, like El Salvador (where my family is from), use bikes instead of cars all the time and I do not think it would hurt to give it a try.
Bicycling is one of the most
Bicycling is one of the most efficient to travel around the city. It also has many benefits for environment and health. Some of the benefits include reduction in emission of carbon dioxide which is released cars and bikes, and helps improve bikers health. This reduces pollution in cities and making cities environmentally friendly. This results in more healthier population in cities.


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I studied abroad in Western Australia my junior year of college, mainly because I couldn't speak any language fluently except English, and for dumb ass American kids who took Spanish in school for 8 years and still don't speak it fluently, there aren't a ton of alternatives. My choices were limited to London or Oz, and as I was making my decision, I imagined Australia as this really warm, tropical place with friendly kangaroos jumping around and that sounded more fun than London, which I imagined as a rainy place with an uptight Queen Mother. Looking back, I scratch my head at my complete ignorance about both places, but you might as well know my train of thought so you can get an idea of where my head was at. (hint: up my ass)
So my program was on the Western side of Australia, which is the un-Sydney, un-Melbourne, un-Great Barrier Reef side. I didn't realize that when I picked it, but you can see a theme forming which will be present throughout this post. I didn't realize a lot of things at 19. However, I must say that I loved Western Australia, especially the wine country. I studied near Perth. For a city of its size, there are a lot of nice, fun, law-abiding citizens in Perth. In fact, there were only two major crimes that took place in Perth while I was there: the first was committed by an American sailor (go figure) who was in port at Perth and the second occurred was when I, and all of my girlfriends, were sexually assaulted by the dancers at the Gobbles male strip club.
I thought going to a male strip club would be like going to a normal nudie bar, except that I could expect a lot more fat, horny middle-aged women instead of men there. I thought the dancers would just do their little dances on stage and act dirty and take some clothes off slowly and we'd all giggle and laugh until we paid one of them extra to pretend to do stuff to our friend, just to torture her, but no actual touching would be allowed or encouraged. Like most things in the southern hemisphere, it was actually totally the opposite. At Australian male strip clubs*, or at least this one, the men don't dance. They just get you wasted on free cheap champagne and then they force you to do things in, around and directly to their junk that you really have no interest in doing. And they bring you on stage to do it, just in case someone in the back row can't see you being molested in your chair or they need a better angle for their camera. There is a lot of body grease involved, and to this day the smell of it makes me wretch. I wasn't prepared for so much oil and I still think they could have at least handed us ponchos on our way in so our clothes didn't get ruined, but alas, they gave us free glasses of pink champagne, and let the sexual assault begin. That's all the time I will dedicate to one of the most traumatizing events in my life, since this story is about almost murder, not pretty much rape.
*(I thought that it was just an Australia thing, but then I read about Aunt Becky's American experience recently and apparently the vileness of male strip clubs is universal. You learn something new everyday).
So I find myself on the wrong side of Australia if I want to see anything that people usually go to Australia to see. So my friends and I plan a two-week excursion to the other side of Oz for our break. First stop is Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The travel agents we recruited to help us gave us this little brochure with all of these vacation packages you could sign up for. Knowing if we didn't sign up for a package we might just drink the whole time and never leave the hostel, we set out to find an excursion that would appeal to a group of four women and three punks men who wanted an "adventure". Somehow it was determined, by one of the males no doubt, that the excursion named "Rainforest Outback Adventure" was a good fit because we could see a large variety of Australian flora and fauna that way. I wish I had not already finished two Strongbow Whites when the plans were made, because I can guarantee that there wasn't a single thing that was described in those 3 days that was even remotely something I would sign up for sober. You see, I like "adventures" that entail being clean and having clean bedding and bathing in clean water with soap and taking long naps and reading several books whilst sipping red wine and eating a nice steak while a chiseled, shirtless man with an Italian and/or South American accent massages me. THAT, my friends, is an adventure.
Adventures I generally shy away from include dust, large and/or flying insects, poisonous snakes, sweltering heat, body sweat, any sort of hiking/mildly strenuous exercise, drizzly rain, red mud, eating or touching rainforest vegetation, camp food, and large wild animals, unless they are in a secure zoo enclosure or on TV. Apparently, the "Rainforest Outback Adventure" turned out to be the latter kind of adventure, with an added surprise bonus of drunk wild boar hunters. Now when I judge a new "adventure" opportunity, I check for drunk wild boar hunters, and I avoid those. So, I learned something. Indeed, Oprah. It was a "teaching moment".
Okay, so we go to the place we are to start our adventure and a guy about 30 years old who looks, acts and talks exactly like the caricature of a mix between Crocodile Dundee and the Crocodile Hunter welcomes us. We call him Dundee for the remainder of the trip. There are about 9 of us in our group – us and a nice old British couple. Dundee is a man of few words, and he is hard core. He straps on his machete and hops into the front seat of this Hummer-like/bus thing that we will use to travel the rainforest and outback the next few days. As we drove away from the busy tourist town of Cairns, a single, slow tear ran down my face in anticipation of what was sure the be the worst three days ever, and they didn't disappoint. Little did I know they were almost my last three.
To be continued….** Click here for Part II
**I'm sorry I can't tell any story without going off on several tangents. Brevity isn't my strong suit. I feel the need to tell the WHOLE story, because if I left out the parts about theft, Speedos, very large ants, Aboriginals, rifles, machetes, and of course, your friends and mine, the drunk wild boar hunters, then it just wouldn't be a Love story. Please be patient with me.

subset: commoncrawl


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Lapel Pins Boost Traffic To Your Booth
It's no secret that the key to trade show success if driving traffic to your booth. However, finding the secret to building that traffic is another story. Many trade show experts will tell you that several tactics have been proven to work well. Some of these include:
The cost of lapel pins is extremely low, but the visual impact is quite high. The perceived value of lapel pins also contributes to their popularity. Viewed more as jewelry than a promotional item, lapel pins are well received by the public.
Lapel pins also create a good deal of excitement. It's relatively easy to unleash a viral marketing campaign right within the trade show hall. Once word gets out that you are giving away attractive lapel pins free-of-charge (or perhaps in exchange for a business card from prospects), the tide of traffic will undoubtedly shift toward your booth.
Tips for Creating Lapel PinsWhen creating lapel pins for your next trade show, you'll want to take a few suggestions to heart in order to get the biggest response.
1. Give due consideration to the design - Of course you'll want your logo or company name on the lapel pin. But you may also want to incorporate something else into the design. American flags are extremely popular right now. Combining your logo with an American flag would give added "wearability" to your lapel pins.
2. Color is a naturally attractive - The human eye naturally turns toward color. Including several colors in your lapel pin design can make the lapel pins more attractive and desirable.
3. Choose a larger size - Lapel pins are available in a variety of sizes. For trade shows, you may want to opt for a larger size in order to accommodate your logo, name and/or other information.
Tips for Building Traffic With Lapel Pins1. Have booth representatives wear the lapel pins - When your booth representatives wear the lapel pins themselves, those who stop by your booth are more likely to want one.
2. Encourage others to "tell-a-friend" - Don't hesitate to tell your booth visitors to spread the word about your lapel pin giveaway. Making it known that you'd like to give a lapel pin to anyone and everyone at the show is a great way to instill word-of-mouth advertising.
3. Exchange lapel pins for information - You may want to require that booth visitors complete a survey or questionnaire. You might choose to ask them for a business card in exchange for a lapel pin. Use your imagination, but don't make the process too extensive.
For an average cost of $2.00 per lapel pin, you can boost the traffic to your booth - even on a budget. We'd love to discuss the design and production of lapel pins for your next event. Feel free to contact us today!
Cloisonne Lapel Pins | Photo Etched Lapel Pins | Die Struck Lapel Pins | Baseball Trading Pins | Lapel Pins Gallery | Custom Lanyards | Awareness & Silicone Wristbands | Contact Us | Free Lapel Pin Quote | Lapel Pins Resources | Lapel Pins Site Map
Customer Testimonials - People Who Love Our Lapel Pins
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Decision date: 30 November 2017
"PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – Health Practitioner – whether practitioner not a suitable person to hold registration. WORDS AND PHRASES – meaning of "substantial risk to the health of the pubic". COSTS – principles applying to awarding costs under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW)."
Find decision here.
Health Care Complaints Commission v Menz (No. 2) [2017] NSWCATOD 172
Decision date: 30 November 2017


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Who says that lounge pants can't be stylish? We certainly don't think that and we have the pair of pants to prove it! This pair of coral lounge pants is not only super fashionable and brightly colored, but they are extremely comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, that you will find it difficult to take them off at the end of the day.
What makes this pair of lounge pants so wonderful is while they have the comfort and flexibility of a pair of old, worn in sweatpants, they don't look like it. These pants look like a relaxed pair of slacks with wide flared pant which makes them suitable for any occasion where you want to go for the casual and relaxed look with a touch of style.
Options are aplenty when you are looking for things to pair up with these lounge pants. For an uber-trendy look that is great for casual date nights and parties, consider a crop top or camisole and a pair of sandals or flats. When you want to look more casual and relaxed, a tank top or t-shirt is the way to go. If it should get cold out, a fitted jacket or cardigan will give you the extra layer of warmth you want and need.
Extremely Comfortable, yet Super Stylish Coral Lounge Pants
These lounge pants are extremely comfortable, yet super stylish. They have a solid fold over waist band that gives you a fitted, detailed look around the waist and lower torso. A wide leg cut gives these pants a very relaxed, casual vibe.
Made out of a coral colored fabric that is 5% spandex, these pants have a certain amount of stretch and give to them that provide you with the ability to easily move without fear of restriction.Model is wearing size Small. Height 5"6". Waist: 26" Size Chart: Regular Tailored Fit
Style & ServiceAre you wondering what else you could style with this cute coral lounge pants? Our style savvy team at Dress Boutique is always ready to help you accessorize or answer any questions you may have about our online ordering process. If you have any questions, please feel free to call between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or send an email to email@example.com!


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Photography Classes in Rutherford NJ
Are you ready to take photography classes in Rutherford NJ? No matter if you are a beginner, hobbyist, or professional, the best way to improve your photography technique is through hands-on classes with professional instructors.
There are numerous recognized and accredited photography schools in New Jersey. Photography classes teach subjects such as portrait capture, exposure and composition, lighting, posing and unposing, and other photography fundamentals. Growing into an accomplished photographer can lead to a prosperous professional career or lifelong hobby.
There are many Photography Classes in Rutherford NJ:
- Rutherford Studio Photography Classes
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Rutherford NJ Photography Classes
Fashion Institute of Technology
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Phone: (212) 217-7999
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In the adjacent video Zimmer and Peacock gives a quick show and tell on some flex circuits, whose form factors lend themselves to wearable biosensor applications.
As contract developers and contract manufacturers of these types of sensors feel free to contact Zimmer and Peacock.
Feel free to click the buttons below for further articles regarding wearable sensors and biosensors.
www.zimmerpeacock.com 2019


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Ian Fleming
Ian Lancaster Fleming was born in Green Street in London on 28th May 1908. He died, aged 56, on 12th August 1964 at Sandwich in Kent.
He was educated at Eton College and then abroad in Germany and Austria. After an early career at Reuters news agency, he became a stockbroker. During World War 2 he worked throughout as assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in the Admiralty in London, privy to many secrets.
Following the war he became foreign manager, in charge of foreign correspondents, for Kemsley newspapers, owners of the Sunday Times and other papers.
In 1952 he wrote his first thriller, Casino Royale, and introduced James Bond, agent 007 to the world. He published a further thirteen James Bond titles before his death at a relatively young age.
He married Anne Rothermere in 1952 and in August that year his only son, Caspar, was born. While convalescing from his first heart attack in 1962, he wrote a short story about a flying car for Caspar - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Ian Fleming Books >


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By Mark McWilliams
Australian businesses are increasingly turning to information technology solutions to improve their performance. Whether it be helping to reduce cost, improve revenue or connect more effectively with customers and suppliers, IT offers business many benefits. Connectivity between people, systems and processed is creating new, low friction, efficient ways of doing business which enhances the productivity of Australia. An alarming growth in the sophistication and persistence of cyber criminals threatens to reduce the benefits from this technology investment.
Cyber-crime has become a very lucrative business. It's very hard to put an exact number on the direct cost to Australia of successful attacks as often direct losses are held away from public scrutiny. In 2015 global cyber-crime is estimated to cost the economy $500 billion and by 2019, if current trajectories continue, it will become a $2.1 trillion problem. In the fifth year of producing their "Cost of Data Breach" study, the Ponemon Institute estimated that the cost per compromised record in Australia is $145. Malicious attacks which make up 46% of compromised records have the highest cost at $161 per record. And the average total cost paid by an Australian company to resolve a successful attack is $2.8 million.
In many instances Australian businesses who have responded well to getting their businesses up online have not adequately prepared themselves to fend off a targeted attack from an organised threat actor. DistributeIT collapsed within weeks of a sustained and coordinated attack leaving thousands of businesses that relied on them dead in the water. In many instances, Australian businesses are not even equipped to detect malicious activity on their systems, let alone respond in a coordinated fashion. And even if an attack is detected, using the limited resources available to the company from both a technology and people perspective, attacks take a long time to sort out – on average 243 days.
At Datacom we take a holistic approach to helping corporate Australia protect its digital assets. From an IT infrastructure perspective we have skilled people in every geography with trusted technology vendor partners who can deploy point solutions to help ward of malicious attacks.
In 2010 we established a high-end security consultancy, staffed initially with people from the defence intelligence community. This team, motivated by altruistic intent to protect Australia from malicious attacks, delivers industry leading cyber security advice on culture, policy, practices, people and technology. They recognise that deploying technology alone is not the answer to this very real global threat. This team undertakes some really interesting work on behalf of its clients. One of the most interesting, and provoking, engagements is called a "Red Team Event". In a red team event the CIO or CISO will engage and set an objective for the team to reach within the digital borders of the business. The businesses' IT folk are not given any warning of the event so they are not operating in a state of heightened awareness. In almost every case our team has managed to retrieve the targeted digital asset. In some cases they have managed to achieve full system administrator rights to whole IT environments, which could if acted upon cripple significant Australian businesses.
Unfortunately it is neither practical nor operationally possible for Australian businesses to adequately protect themselves online. From a practical perspective good IT security professionals are incredibly hard to find and expensive. And operationally even if you could find a good person, one is not enough. Threat actors work 24×7, are incredibly well resourced, and are ready to strike when nobody is likely to be watching, often using techniques which are so new a single security person has no hope of keeping up. In response to this dilemma Datacom's Technical Security Services business has established a service offering where a team of seasoned professionals are available 24×7 to detect and respond to security events within Australian businesses.
Cyber security is a growing business for all the wrong reasons. Currently the threat actors are winning as business plays catch up. Developing the resources and skills internally is out of reach for all but our very largest corporations. Leveraging the skills of trusted partners that can aggregate learning and watch multiple electronic borders simultaneously is the only effective way of accelerating the response to the growing cyber threat.
Mark McWilliams has an in-depth knowledge of the technology market and is the Director for Datacom Investments.


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hello, I have a lot of articles that I would love to share to the world, basically connecting spirituality to psychology, sociology, self love, Self improvement, and how to master your destiny … I hope you'll contact me back , thank you 🙂
Welcome my beautiful new friend!
I'm so excited to share this awesome journey of soul searching and navel contemplation with you.
This life, this time right now, is so incredible and auspiciously delicious that I wake every morning so excited to see where my journey leads, who I will meet along the way, sharing dreams, goals and visions of the future lives of ourselves and those around us.
Nicole Suzanne Brown lived in sunny Queensland all her life until moving to a very small cold country town of New South Wales, and still is confused by the choice to this day. Small in stature but big in personality, she has lived in New York, the United Kingdom, spent time in an Indian Ashram and gets itchy feet every time she glances at her Passport. When not being CEO of Spiritual Wisdom Publishing, Spiritual Wisdom Magazine & Spiritual Wisdom TV, you can find her contemplating her navel, somewhere, in some part of the world.
If the above is enough for you to tottle around my blog that's cool and groovy.. enjoy If you want to sink your teeth into my life more.. *careful. very ticklish* read on my dear friend, read on…
(bullet point version)
I follow the teachings of Buddha, Native American philosophy, love laying out at night watching the stars and swear that clouds make patterns and faces just for me.
I am a CEO, Intuitive Coach, Writer of non-fiction & ficition, painter, poet, lover of laughter and have a not so secret crush on Nikola Tesla.
I am a publisher writer, and have sold my handmade fabbo Crystal Candle products, Books & Bumper Stickers worldwide for the past 10 years.
I collect Marvin the Martian figurines and have friends and clients worldwide send me the bestest Marvin presents EVER!!! (after all for a shorty, the guy has serious 'attitude!')
In my Twenties and early Thirties I traveled to an Indian Ashram, lived in Long Island, New York and the United Kingdom.
I was living in New York before, during and after September 11.
I part owned a Spiritual store called "Spirit Wisdom" for ten years in Capalaba, Qld.
I help other awesome peeps online let go of their past 'stuff' and embrace their lives fully with excitement and awesomeness through one on one Inspirational Coaching, helping them create their own ebooks, courses & in the future weekend retreats and workshops for independent Authors.
ARE YOU ON TWITTER and FBOOK?
Yes indeedy I am.. Come by and say hiya, G'day, Yo! & whasssup Twitter & Fbook
What's your starsign?
I'm a fun loving Scorpio *we DO exist HONEST!* and favor the Phoenix & Eagle symbols, rather then the Scorpion 'sting' symbol.
Describe yourself in just 3 words.
Farts. When. Nervous.
What's your favorite movie?
Naawwww! There are soooo many! All time favorite would have to be "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" followed closely by "The Abyss", "Powder" and ……"Jaws" (although the last one freaked me out so much when younger I refused to swim in my above ground pool all summer) – check out my post on "My Fav Spiritual Movies"
What have you loved so far about your life?
This one always makes me smile and get those gorgeous fluttery butterfly wings in my stomach, knowing that when I start to share what I love about this gorgeous planet and my life I can't help sweeping others up in the excitement of what I have witnessed, shared, loved, lost and am so grateful for that I would live this life over and over again every single minute of every single day. I am grateful for this beautiful Planet, the way it sustains us, teaches us, challenges us, and loves us dearly not matter what we throw at her. Whenever I am on a plane, flying high above the clouds, my face is pressed against the window and with tears in my eyes I whisper 'I love you, I love you, I love you'
And of course I cant forget my gorgeous companions that give me so much love, joy, snuggles and laughter.. R.I.P my beautiful Boy Tolkien – 08/01/2013 :'(
I was born in the year 1972 in New South Wales, to a beautiful Mother and Father and sister to older Brother Jason.
Both my Brother and I were emergency Cesarian, so from an early age KNEW that life was indeed special and worth fighting for.
My Parents are overally clever people and knew that we needed to move up to Brisbane, Queensland when I was just a wee bub and there we stayed for over 34 years in the bay side suburb of Wynnum.
We had the best childhood any kids could have, with my Dad being one of nine children, every weekend and school holidays we were surrounded by Aunties & Uncles, Cousins and my Grandparents (Dad's Mum and Dad).
We spent holidays all together at my Grandparents Holiday home at Amity Point, Stradbroke Island and laughed and played, shared stories, dreams, secrets and our lives all together in a small 3 bedroom home (and to this day I have no idea how we all fit in!)
I have always ALWAYS connected with animals of all shapes and sizes, breeds and rarities and there was many a time when a kitten suddenly 'followed' me home from school only to have a few babies of her own a month later.
At the age of 20 after partying waaaay to much for a few years an event happened that life path was taken on entirely different direction to that of my other friends. I was involved with a beautiful group of friends, always getting together at the local yocal (pub) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, dancing, drinking, laughing and having no idea what was around the corner. Then suddenly the hard lessons of life took hold of us all and we lost two of our dear friends in a tragic car accident.
THAT lesson, that experience right there was what changed my life in more ways then I would ever know. Suddenly being footloose and fancy free, living for the weekend lost it's glimmer and shine and I delved deep into the BIG questions that make your head spin and your heart race. Why are we here? What happens when we die? Why do 'good' people die and others (who are judged as 'bad/evil' people) still get to live.
Two months after my 21st birthday I was sitting at the feet of Sai Baba in an Indian Ashram, having quit my job 3 weeks prior. I became Vegan and came home with a new love for life and spirituality.
A year later my Mum and I opened our Spiritual store in Capalaba, Qld called 'Spirit Wisdom' and worked side by side embracing people from all walks and faith in life, sharing and growing, learning and teaching spirituality and non-judgment practices.
It was there that I first started Meditation and Affirmation Groups, began trance channeling, did intuitive readings and ran spiritual development classes and courses. A few years later my Father was able to retire early from his job and work in the store along side us.
All was brilliantly shiny and full of love for life and the paths we were all walking and sharing.
But my dear new friend, life always throws you a curve ball when you get too comfortable, too complacent and on 20th December, 1998 we received a phone call that no family would ever want.
That night after a long day at the shop, I sat down with my Mum and Dad, scoffed down a gourmet Vegan pizza and we watched the movie Deep Impact. After the movie finished we all sat around the table and promised each other if anything happened to any of us, we would find each other, we didn't know how, but we would find a way to let each other know that we were ok. My Brother Jay rang just at that moment and we spoke briefly about Christmas presents and what we were doing. He also made the same promise and said over and over again 'remember Nicole I love you, and if something ever happened I will find you and let you know I am ok'. He then asked what movie we were watching next. The movie was 'City of Angels'.
An hour after the movie had ended we received a phone call, my Brother Jay had died suddenly of a suspected heart attack. Only hours before had asked his gorgeous girlfriend to marry him. He was just 29.
Four days later, true to his word, while laying on his bed, listening to his favorite song and crying my eyes out, I heard Jay loud and clear. "I'm ok Nicole, tell Mum and Dad I'm ok". Through those next few days, from his funeral on 24th December, to bringing in the New Year, Jay and I spoke daily of how he was going, what it was like for him to die (or as he calls it 'Passing through Time') and what others see. I wrote it all down, shared it with family, friends, clients of the shop, always amazed that a person came in one day asking a question that Jay had only answered the night before.
Within 4 months we had enough for a book and lo and behold a publisher approached us and Passing through Time (first edition) was published very quickly soon after. Jay and I of course still speak to each other, having written more for the second edition of Passing through Time (available Dec, 2012) and I still marvel at how AMAZEBALLS this Universe truly is.
A few years past and I fell in love and was quickly engaged to a fellow Vegan from New York, and tottled off on my own to a new adventure and new country. For three years off and on I lived with him and his parents on Long Island and skipped along, thinking of bliss and love and nothing much else. We walked 10 hours along the Appalachian Trail, and slept in a tent next to a beautiful Teepee for a week enjoying one of United States best ever Medieval Fairs.
Yet I knew deep down that I was so pissed off with God for taking my Brother that I couldn't see straight. I tricked myself into believing everything was A-OK, until the night we had slept on the Appalachian trail, woke in the morning and walked to the top of a Mountain, and it was so beautiful and serene and quiet. But I couldn't hear the silence from the screaming in my head at God for taking my Brother away, just when we had started liking each other again, just when we had reached a mutual understanding and spent the last few months of his life reconnecting and getting to know the adult versions of ourselves that we stubbornly had ignored for years before. And then I got it. Because that's what the plan was all along.
Jay had spoken of this many times before, and it was only on that beautiful morning, high up above the clouds and humanity that I found what I had lost years before. I lost my faith in the process of life. I had lost my love for God and all things Universal. Tears flowed and as I reached out my arms to embrace all that was beautiful and all knowing, birdsong erupted around me like a chorus of cheers and celebration and I knew I was once again in exactly the right place in my life to move forward with love in my heart, and leave behind the anger and 'victim' energy that I thought I had hidden for so long.
I'm telling you all this my dear new friend because even if we 'think' we have 'it' all together, there are lessons we need to learn, our own mountains we need to climb, own doubts, fears and sadness's that we need to overcome to embrace how beautiful life truly is. Even the really shitty sucky parts.
Returning back to Australia a year after September 11, my Parents and I decided to sell "Spirit Wisdom" after eight years of trading and tottle off to a country town in NSW. Life changed in more ways then one, I quickly separated from my fiance and settled into living in a small community of country folk. Years past, my feet got itchy again and my passport was whispering to me about new adventures, so I once again tottled off traveling to the UK for eight months, returned and within 2 months was married to a British man. Sadly we were separated a year and a half later.
Ahh my dear sweet friend, life is a roller coaster isn't it? In some instances we are showered with love and adoration, gratitude and become bliss-ed out ninnies, but that is when the BIG lessons appear, the ones that have our hearts racing, our fear grab hold of us till a little bit of pee comes out and the real tests begin of who we are and who we want to be.
Now, after a few years of soul searching, healing, growing and contemplating my navel I have embraced my true self, the one that brings so much joy, that one that laughs, that is silly, that sings loudly while having 4 hour baths surrounded by candles and crystals.
The one that wears funny slippers, dry humps Marvin the Martian at Movieworld (my hero!!) and ADORES Roller Coasters!
I have learned not to take life to seriously, for it truly is a playground, filled with swings and round-a-bouts, friends, family, bullies and love crushes. And it truly is the BEST THING EVER to happen to us.
If you made it this far I am both honored and intrigued by you, and would love to know your story so far.
There are so many things I want to share with you here in my little part of the virtual world, from my weekly Spiritual Musings, to my beautiful handmade Crystal Candles and handpicked Crystals that I send to clients worldwide. I fall in love all over again with the true majesty that this beautiful Planet presents us and I am soo grateful that you and I are here right at this time together.
Friend me on fbook, Twitter, & Pinterest.
So; grab a beanbag, settle in and welcome my dear friend.. welcome.
*squishy hugs* Nicole
Nicole Suzanne Brown lived in sunny Queensland all her life until moving to a very small cold country town of New South Wales, and still is confused by the choice to this day. Small in stature but big in personality, she has lived in New York, the United Kingdom, spent time in an Indian Ashram and gets itchy feet every time she glances at her Passport.
She is the of Spiritual Wisdom Magazine an online publishing resource for spiritual authors bloggers. She is the Author of the fiction novel Pride and the non-fiction Passing through Time – conversations with the other side, The Creativity Workbook, The Wee Little Book of the Awesome, and the soon to be released Fictions: Phoenix, Sacrificial Trilogy, Outback Mistress, On the Job and Recrudence. When not writing you can find her contemplating her navel, somewhere, in some part of the world.
5 Comments
March 23, 2014 at 6:45 am -
March 14, 2014 at 9:52 am -
Hi, NIcole.Hi,
My name is John Draper. I'm a marketing writer. I want to quit my job, eventually, and become a fulltime blogger. Specifically, I want to do a blog for people who are "Spiritual But Not Religious."
What advice would you have for me?
Do you think there's a market/audience out there for such a blog?
What should my first steps be?
Any last warnings?!
Secondly . . . adverstising. One of the ways blogs are "monetized" is through advertising. What is your experience in terms of advertising on spiritual blogs? Can it be done? Does it bother readers? What kind of ads make sense?
P.S. — Have you heard of any other Spiritual But Not Religious blogs out there. The only ones I've been able to find are apparently defunct!
March 12, 2014 at 2:22 am -
Hi Nicole!
What is the process for submission for guest blogging? Are you accepting submissions?
Love your site! Love the energy of it!
Carrie Jolie Dale
January 21, 2014 at 12:20 pm -
Hello – I would like to get in touch with you in regards to an exciting project I am involved with. I believe we can help each other – please send me an email and I will fill you in with the details.


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Calderdale-based author Cliff James is set to launch his new novel, Of Bodies Changed.
The book, described as a 'gay Wuthering Heights in the modern world' is a gothic romance which tells the story of sexually liberated pagans, environmental warriors and sadistic priests.
After 14 years and 14 rejections, Cliff is delighted that his dream to see the book reach publication has been fulfilled.
He said: "After so long, it feels totally surreal to actually have this novel published and on sale in bookshops. It feels like a dream."
The book will be launched at Sowerby Bridge's Dandelion and Burdock restaurant on August 10, from 5-7pm.


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Looking for somewhere to create?
Then you have come to the right place! We have an assortment of equipment and software you can use to work on your teaching materials, projects or assignments.
Sandbox Studio Online Booking Calendar
Please send any feedback to email@example.com.
Newnham Studios
The Newnham Large Studio has moved to room B2084.
Location: B2084 (large studio), B2082 (medium studio) and B2081 (small audio recording & editing room)
Markham Studio
Location: M650, Phone: ext 77415
Seneca@York Studio
Location: S1113, S1116
What equipment/software do we have?
The following equipment is available for use within the Sandbox studios:
|Maker technologies
Circulating Equipment at Seneca:
In addition to equipment available for use in our studios. the following departments have equipment available for sign out to students, faculty, and staff:
- ITS Service Desk – laptops, camcorders, tripods, tripod adapters for smartphones and tablets, digital audio recorders, etc.
- Seneca Libraries – USB headsets
Spaces throughout the GTA:
Toronto Public Library – Digital Innovation Hub
"Digital Innovation Hubs are located at six library branches: Agincourt, Albion, Downsview, Fort York, North York Central, Scarborough Civic Centre and Toronto Reference Library.
Explore our suggestions for getting started" from http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/computer-services/innovation-spaces/
Markham Public Library – TheCAVE
"The CAVE is your local production studio and provider of multimedia equipment, fostering creativity and digital literacy in the community of Markham. The CAVE is free to use, and gadgets are free to borrow for every member of Markham Public Library." Located at Cornell Community Centre & Library, 3201 Bur Oak Dr.


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Upper Blepharoplasty for Palo Alto Woman - Case 11
|Mid 50s
This 55 year old woman from Palo Alto is an executive and mother of two. She is very active and has a full life but was starting to notice that sagging skin above her eyes was making her appear tired and worn out, and on top of that she was having trouble seeing clearly. She wanted to brighten her appearance and look more awake because that is how she felt inside. During her facelift and necklift surgery, Drs. Lieberman & Parikh also performed an upper blepharoplasty which transformed the way she sees the world and the way people see her.
- Request your consultation online or call 650-327-3232 to schedule an appointment to see us in the Bay Area in our Palo Alto or San Jose offices.


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An estimated 350,000 to 500,000 people in the United States have multiple sclerosis (MS), a complex disease to manage. Symptoms affect each person differently and may also come and go. "This unpredictability creates added stress on both the person with multiple sclerosis and his or her family and caregivers, making it important to get support from others who understand," says Kasey Minnis, director of operations and communications at the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF), an organization with a network of independent MS support groups throughout the United States.
The complexity and unpredictability of multiple sclerosis also makes it difficult for the general public to understand the disease. And without understanding, Minnis says, it's difficult to secure funds for multiple sclerosis research to find a cure as well as provide support services. "By speaking out and getting involved with advocacy efforts, those whose lives are affected by multiple sclerosis can help to create more public support," she says.
Connecting With the National MS Community
One way to get involved is by participating in National MS Education and Awareness Month activities. During March, MSF offers free educational programs and awareness kits to raise public awareness. MSF also offers a monthly advocacy e-newsletter called Movers & Shakers, which is packed with resources to help people improve their advocacy skills and get involved with important multiple sclerosis issues.
"We encourage people with MS to get to know each of the MS organizations and what they offer," Minnis says. Visit the MS Coalition Web site for a complete list of organizations that provide multiple sclerosis support.
"Through the coalition, all of the organizations work together to accomplish common goals and to eliminate duplicate efforts," Minnis explains. "While some organizations may concentrate on research, another may concentrate on coping skills, or, as in the case of the MSF, direct assistance to people with multiple sclerosis. It's beneficial for individuals whose lives are affected by MS to be aware of and keep abreast of the work of all of these organizations."
Getting On Board
Nan Luke, 55, of Laguna Beach, Calif., who was diagnosed with MS at age 30, was "in the closet" about her diagnosis for several years. "As a practicing litigating attorney in the local law community, I finally decided it was time to reach out," Luke says. "I didn't want to sit around moaning about the unfairness of multiple sclerosis — I was ready to come to grips with it and decide how I could help."
Luke was pleasantly surprised when she attended a local MS Society support group meeting. She thought it might be a free-form format with people complaining. Instead, "it addressed all kinds of issues, from coming to grips with having MS, to choosing doctors and treatment, dealing with marriage and intimacy issues, and coping with work situations," she says. "It was very well organized, and there was something in it for everyone."
Luke was eager to get involved with the organization and decided to use her work experience by presenting legal workshops on disability issues in the workplace, housing, and other areas.
She was invited to join the board of trustees of a National MS Society regional chapter and volunteered to serve on the chapter's Government Relations Committee (GRC). "This was a great opportunity to learn, facilitate, and help GRC members learn the National MS Society's mission, to be a part of the MS California Action Network (which focuses on MS advocacy), and to discover that advocacy and activism is not screaming or fighting, but building relationships with policy makers and educating them about multiple sclerosis and those who struggle with it," Luke says.
Luke also serves as a patient advocate at University of California at Irvine's stem cell lab. "The lab directors graciously invite people with MS to visit the research lab, host GRC meetings, and generously share the hope of multiple sclerosis research and a cure," she says.
As a patient advocate, Luke says her role is to encourage others with multiple sclerosis and to educate policy makers on how MS impacts people's lives and share their concerns. She also encourages MS researchers to continue their work.
"It's unbelievably energizing and hopeful to be working toward a multiple sclerosis cure without a medical or science degree," Luke says.
How You Can Get Started
To get involved in the MS community, Minnis suggests these steps:
- Learn about the various multiple sclerosis organizations to see what resources and channels for involvement are open to you. Visit the MS Coalition Web site for a list of these organizations.
- Get in touch with other people who have MS. The MSF's Facebook group is a good place to start. Learn how they're involved and how you might support their efforts.
- Decide where your skills can best be used. Are you a good listener? Perhaps you can start a support group in your area. Are you a great organizer? Maybe you'd like to arrange a fundraiser. Are you a wonderful writer? You might start a letter-writing campaign to your representatives in support of legislation that affects people with multiple sclerosis. Contact any multiple sclerosis organization to see how you can get started. Sidney Wittenberg, associate vice president of volunteer leadership development at the National MS Society, suggests using the online Volunteer Match to learn about your local chapter needs and what matches your interests and skills.
- To take your advocacy a step further, apply to be an MSF Ambassador. Individuals who are chosen participate in specialized leadership training to serve as resources for the MS community in their local area. E-mail email@example.com or call 888-MSFocus for an application.
"Perhaps the most important thing people with multiple sclerosis can do is to simply speak out about their condition," Minnis stresses. "Let others know what multiple sclerosis is like so they'll come to care about the cause, too."