Bikes over cars

Some people may wonder why I choose to ride a bike everywhere. For me, the bike is essential; it is my default vehicle, a means to an end. That end may be fitness, recreation, transportation, moving meditation, or, all of the above! The bike is a form of freedom. When you’re a kid, you learn to ride a bike, and suddenly you are free to go places. You cover more ground in less time than you can on foot. You see more than you would travelling by car. Plus, it’s more fun. There's the speed: The wind in your face, the road moving under your wheels, the trees flying past. This is where it starts. 

You learn a new skill, develop good balance, awareness, agility. You try new things like taking your feet off the pedals and putting them on the handlebars. You take a passenger on board. You swerve in a curving pattern testing the limits of your ability to turn sharply without wiping out. 

The bike gets you to school and work, to friends’ places, to the corner store. It’s transportation. It’s fun. It's practical, saving gas, reducing carbon emissions, wear-and-tear on the car. There are no traffic tie-ups. When the car traffic slows, you whiz by unfettered. This is a great feeling!

As you get older you discover greater physical challenges. You take on bigger hills, go longer distances, increase speed. You see more countryside, more new places and from a different perspective. This wider scope increases the satisfaction of riding a bike, being able to enjoy the outdoors on a different level. As the world opens up, your sense of freedom expands. You might look for a lighter, faster, more aerodynamic bike. High functioning. You might spend more money on a better bike simply because it increases the enjoyment.

Eventually, riding a bike becomes a habit. It becomes a way of life. You need to go somewhere, you take your bike. It feels natural. Where we live, the weather no doubt plays a role. The cold, ice, and snow. The elements limit your desire to ride as well as your ability to do so in relative comfort. Hands and feet are the hardest to keep warm. And then there is the safety factor. The road might be slippery. Or the snow too deep. A slushy mess. The elements also limit your bike’s ability to keep working properly. A frozen chain, salt on the metal moving parts, brakes compromised. So if you are determined, you find a bike that can withstand all that. Dressing for the cold can limit your riding distance so the body doesn’t overheat, the feet and hands don’t have time to freeze. I dress to be warm when I leave; there’s no time to warm up. The bike can still be transportation; I just don’t go as far. The body would overheat and the extremities would freeze if I did, but anything’s possible.

You may need more than one bike. You need to get somewhere but it’s too close to drive, too far to walk: so take the bike. Having a commuter bike makes sense. For winter, an old beater bike with single speed and coaster brakes to eliminate the need for cables which would quickly corrode in the slush and salt. To ride hilly terrain you may need a light bike with appropriate gearing. To ride mainly flat roads, you need a compliant frame race fit for distance and speed. To ride off road you need a mountain bike with suspension fork and knobby tires. To test your fitness doing time trials, you need a time trial-specific bike with an aerodynamic and integrated frame, fork and wheels; disc on the back and tri-spoke on the front, and aero-bars to allow your upper body to get low and slice through the wind.

A bike is practical; it’s simple. It's second nature. Step into the garage, grab a bike and go. Get out in the fresh air. Ride for fun, for fitness. Ride with friends. Ride alone and meditate or listen to music. Test your fitness. Enjoy the weather. Get from point A to point B. All great reasons to ride.

While mountain biking and time trials require some driving I prefer rides that begin from home. There are cyclists who like to do remote starts. They put their bike in the car and drive to a desirable location to begin their ride. This makes sense if you want to ride in new territory. But it goes against my affinity for riding from home and not having to drive. Not having to drive is a big motivator. And it’s one less car on the road. Next time you need to go somewhere, before jumping in the car, ask yourself if you can walk or ride. Get some exercise and breath in the fresh air. You'll be glad you did.