Bicycles for Beginners
Photo by McAvoy
I’m learning to ride my bike. At twenty-three years old, this is a bold move. I can tell you there are a few good reasons that most people learn to ride a bicycle (and swim, and ice skate) when they’re shorter than five feet and lighter than 90 pounds. Not to mention, the unique humiliation of being pushed off the sidewalk by my boyfriend of two years is something I don’t think any adult ego was designed to endure.
Despite this, I’m determined to get on two wheels by the end of the summer. As much as I would like to say that I’ve been swept away by a desire to reduce my carbon emissions or diminish my personal dependence on fossil fuels, I have to admit that my primary motivations are a bit more selfish.
What get me going are visions of biking to the Trout Lake farmer’s market with friends, a summer scarf whipping in the wind perhaps. I would like to bike the Vancouver seawall down to Third Beach and feel the sun on my face. I want to bike to the foot of Main Street for art shows faster than you can say, “never waiting for a bus again.”
Sad Mag will be participating in Car Free Day on Main Street this year. I don’t ride a bike (yet) but our magazine knows a thing or two about “Living Your Life” that definitely jives with the spirit of Car Free. Sustainability is about knowing your neighbours, meeting the creators of the foods and arts you consume, and enjoying Vancouver life fully.
Come say hi to us on Main Street tomorrow, Sunday June 20, between the blocks of 29th and 30th avenues. We’ll have magazines to give away, and we’ll be drawing winners for a pair of tickets to DIM cinema at the Pacific Cinematheque.
You can do it! Before I started riding a bike as an adult, my newly-minted bike commuter friend said to me, “If I can do it, you can do it.” I didn’t believe her, and figured she possessed the unattainable mixture of athleticism, nerve, and physical coordination that I simply didn’t have.
But I was wrong. It took a lot of convincing and a very patient boyfriend, but at the age of 25 I bought a used road bike. Sure, I was too embarrassed to test-ride it in front of the shop. I even spent the first months riding shakily along the Seawall and parking my bike under the Burrard Bridge in order to walk, not ride over the bridge to work for fear of falling into traffic and an untimely death. But in time, it got better and I became more confident.
Now, two years later, I am happy to say that learning to ride again (after a very long hiatus between banana seat/spokey dokes and, well, being in my twenties) was one of the best things I’ve done. I now ride my bike downtown and all sorts of places I was too afraid to go.
I believe in you, Deanne. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks, Jackie! I am terrified of riding near car traffic, but hopefully I’ll get there soon!
I am 32 and don’t really know how to ride a bicycle, either. It has been one of my biggest secrets, one which I recently had to divulge to my boyfriend after months of coming up with excuses for not going on bike rides. I came clean and, due to my honesty, he is fixing up a bike for me to fit my size and frame — I’m a petite gal with legs shorter than a gnome’s. My boyfriend and I are going riding in a parking lot soon to help me get over my fear.
I will also admit my motives are relatively selfish as well. I just want to fit in and not be the one left behind! Hey, what can I say? I may as well be honest. It seems to be getting me somewhere. Now I just have to ditch the training wheels and I hope to be fine…
Thank you for your story.