Cycle-Licious reminds us that bicycles can provide vital help after earthquakes:
A major earthquake rocked Western Japan in Niigata prefecture, collapsing houses and destroying infrastructure. These news photos reminded me of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, where my dad led relief efforts on behalf of his employer. He took the trains from Tokyo as far as they would go, then paid cash for several bikes for he and his team to transport water, food, and satellite phones. With collapsed roads and destroyed rail, nothing else was getting through.
I live in an earthquake prone area. I’ve told my family to sit tight and I would meet up with them by biking home from work if a major quake hits during work hours. In Japan, some workplaces keep bicycles as a part of earthquake preparedness.
UPDATE: Useful in flood-prone Britain
Because I bike to work I don’t normally go out for lunch, so I stock up on food and drinks in my office. My co-workers all talk about they know whose office to raid for supplies if there’s an earthquake! Thanks as always for the link Andrea.
I live in Southern California-very prone to earthquakes, floods, wildfires and other such disaters-both manmade and natural alike. I keep 4 bikes at present for such emergencies to shuttle food, water, perscription medications, etc. about. I actually have used bikes in the past for such emergencies and see the need for the future since you never know what will happen next.
Has read with the pleasure, very interesting post, write still, good luck to you!