Bike Beirut Bike!

Saturday morning I went with my friend Maroun, he kindly asked me to

participate in the last stage of the Polyliban, where Lebanese and
visitors have been traveling from the South to the North. I did not
have a helmet so I was force to go in the "reporter car". I did not mind
of course, since I was armed with my Olympus 520 and naturally took
the role a sports photographer.

Escorted by the military around 35 cyclists went though the streets of

Beirut, ending their 5 day Lebanon tour. I was sitting in Stephanie's

brand new Toyota SUV and was hanging out the window to get the best shoots possible.

I was really happy to watch the cyclist in Beirut, you normally do not
see anyone riding their bikes in the city. But this will hopefully
change.

At times I feel that with every breath I take, that my life gets
shorter in the gas fumes.. I don't know if the Lebanese really can
change this vain status of mentality towards their cars , since its
normal for each family to have a car for each member,
basically it is a virtual vital Independence.

 Lebanon is one of the smallest countries in the world, maybe this is
the reason why they have to show off with their capitalist mentality,
which is just exploiting an inherent inferiority complex and creates
massive environmental and mental problems, road-rage and cancer are
the outcomes.

If the Lebanese could completely switch their thought of green in the
capitalistic mindset into a green thought of the environment, they
would be one of the most inspirational nations in the world.
Their coast line infrastructure  over time adapt into using energy efficient public transport.
The mindset of status should also be moved in terms of bigger better stronger, to more cost efficient, environmental correct and long lasting agenda. Electrical and hybrid cars are perfect for a small country like Lebanon as they are for the little state of Denmark Im coming from.



I hope that the Polyliban will expand, inspire and hopefully when they
drive through Beirut next time, they will gather all the people with a
bike in Lebanon in order to join them and show that there is an alternative instead of the continued polluting of the city and the rest of the world.

The future is closer than we think, especially considering the
consequence of the past that is showing us what will happen if we do
not react. However it is hard for a government to change especially when its non-existing, which its the status here at the moment.But the people are the ones who are in charge for the improvement in the end.

Bikes on the right side, in movement, while cars wait in their dayli ques.  

The PolyLiban site

Thoughts of  biking in Beirut