Guest Blog: The Ten Commandments

Dear Fellow Challenge Riders,

Anyone see this in the paper?

One of the largest of the world’s religions has handed down some rules of the road. Even though I consider myself a committed humanist, I’m listening to the Pope on this issue. And I hope, very much, that people from all religions read these commandments.

As a cyclist, I appreciate numbers 2, 5, 9, and 10. I especially like number 2. I sure wish that all of us enjoyed the roads and pathways as a venue for “communion between people.” Those who pine for wider roadways and less traffic calming see the roadway as a means of the fastest possible commute. I think the Vatican does a brilliant job reminding us that roads are a great place to greet your neighbors. And if you agree, you may also agree that it’s hard to hug or shake hands when you have an SUV wrapped around you – non-motorized communion is much better.
With gratitude to the top-down management crew in Rome, I present to you some new rules of the road:

The Vatican's 'Ten Commandments' for Driving

1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

Source: Associated Press

Don Lubach
Captain, UCSB Team Ding Bell