Life as a Biker

I bought myself a bike in April. My dad had given me a birthday present, a partial payment for the bicycle that I had been talking about getting for myself since the beginning of the year. Although the weather has been atypical compared to other years- global warming seems to be taking its toll- I knew riding wouldn’t happen until the spring. My dad had suggested “shopping around,” trying out different bikes until I decided on one I really liked. He had also recommended I look for used bikes off of Craigslist or through other means. But I was anxious to make a purchase for a brand new bicycle as a gift to myself. I went to a place almost right across the street from where I live. I tried out a few bikes and decided on a beautiful blue and red Monterey sports bicycle.

After acquiring a lock from a friend I started riding around the neighborhood, and then to work. It’s a 15-minute bike ride and adds adventure to my day. Most of Cambridge is bike-friendly and it feels good to be part of this experience with so many others. I am very wary about drivers- morning traffic is horrendous and cars sometimes seem to be coming from all directions. However, I wear a helmet, obey traffic signals, look around me, and try to bike away from cars parked on the street as much as possible, which may present a hazard if a door opens at any point. I sometimes find myself giving dirty looks to those who bike through red lights or ride without a helmet.

Biking gets my endorphins going; it takes less time than taking the T; and it gives me the feeling of being part of a greater community. I love biking and I’m really proud of the one that I bought. Aside from work, I’ve biked to Brighton once, which is about 45 minutes away, and on the other side of the river. I talk about biking experiences with other fellow bikers and even joined a Facebook Cambridge Biker group. 

Our building has no official storage area for bikes- the options are usage of a room in the basement, where bikes and folded strollers are inconveniently stacked against each other, or in a private individual storage cage on the main floor, where I have to weave my way in and out of the narrow walkway.

I look forward to making more frequent bike trips with friends and community members within Cambridge, to Brighton, and perhaps to Jamaica Plain at some point. Being a biker feels like I'm part of a new world. I'm so happy it finally happened.