May 9, 2009 -- New Jersey, Delaware

Dear Friends,

Our pilgrimage has brought us to the USA. We packed our bicycles and saddle bags and flew to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Our watches were set to Eastern Time, the cycle tachometer set to miles, and our bio-rhythms set to the stars above North America. After attending the beautiful wedding of William's brother, we got a ride to the Atlantic coast and Ocean City, NJ. There was a concert in a nursing home and a big cross-island cycle rally, then we began cycling south. So the American leg of our pilgrimage began very close to Egg Harbor City, the birthplace of Peace Pilgrim (See the link on our web-site if you want to learn more about this remarkable woman.) The first day was rainy but full of blessings: a mechanic who helped us clean the sand out of our chains and gears, a phenomenal double rainbow and friendly Christians who let us tent in their campground as their guests.

The next day, we sailed on the ferry to Lewes, Delaware—after Jamestown, the oldest European settlement what is today the US. Then we went up to Dover, the capital of Delaware, and took part in the first Bicycle Summit there the next day.

The summit made a big impression on us. It was a privately funded and organized meeting of people from government, road and traffic planners, industry, bicycle business, cycling clubs (national, statewide and local) and public health officials. The theme was the future of cycling as a means of transportation to preserve the environment, increase the quality of life and promote general health. We were not the only participants who cycled to the summit, but we did have the most luggage, and the only guitar--which we put to use on the stage at the beginning of the afternoon session. The governor of Delaware was there. He has cycled the entire state from north to south three times. During the summit, he signed an executive order requiring the DOT to plan for bicycle and pedestrian traffic in all new roads and renovations of existing roads (except in the case of a serious, documented impediment.)

The keynote speaker was a traffic engineer and cycling advocate from Oregon, Mike Ronkin. He said that in Portland, about a third of the commuters use bicycles: this is still low compared, e.g. to Copenhagen, but the highest rate in the US. He called on those responsible for traffic planning not to ask: "How can we arrange for the most cars and trucks to drive through as quickly as possible?" but rather to think holistically and to ask: "How can this street best be designed so that all traffic participants, residents and businesses are best served?"

Without saying so explicitly, he urged placing the human being—and not the automobile, as is usually the case today—at the center of street design and traffic engineering. The attendees seemed to be enthusiastic about it. We will have to see if this enthusiasm can be translated into action: the time is ripe—even over-ripe—for this. Fuel prices rise, traffic jams increase and the lack of physical activity is a significant cause of illness in people today. Moreover, it is most assuredly time to think and act realistically, in accordance with the nature, man and the spirit—even in the Department of Transportation. After the summit, we cycled up to the northern border of Delaware, so that we also cycled through the first of the United States. Aside from some high traffic areas and a bridge being used as a kind of trash dump, we found the streets, the other traffic participants and the people we met on the way to be quite bicycle friendly. That is a positive change.

During the last seven years, the American public was quite concerned with security and the prevention of terrorist crime. This can still be seen today, for example in billboards and advertisements on busses urging people to report suspicious people or activities to the federal authorities. However, the edge of fear on this subject seems to have abated. On the other hand, one hears and sees a lot about the financial crisis and increasing unemployment. People seem to agree that the crisis is the result of greed, dishonesty and breach of trust in the highest echelons of the financial community.

One seldom hears, however, that this crisis is primarily and fundamentally a moral crisis which comes to expression in the economy. Nonetheless, because this is so, the solution to this crisis must also be moral. A moralistic attitude which blames and criticizes others without affecting one's own conscience or action will bring nothing. However, a moral approach strengthens virtue and overcomes vice beginning in one's own soul. If I am honest toward myself, then I can speak the truth effectively. If I am grateful toward, and in harmony with, God and my fellowman, I can bring justice through my life. As the Russian starez St. Siouan said: "If you achieve true inner peace in yourself, a thousand souls around you will be saved."

Our thanks goes to all our dear friends for their prayers, their good thoughts and material support. Please send us an e-mail if you feel so inspired and let us know how you are doing.

Alexandra and William
Wilmington, Delaware 9. Mai 2009