Published in the ISJ and BMN week starting May 2, 2010
The other day I was driving around, and I just about ran over a big kid on his bike who cut out in front of me. He was going to join his pals on the other side of the two-way street to join in the swerving and not paying attention and flashing of underpants. And not wearing helmets. Now, I’m a cool chick who’s up on the fashion trends of my peers; I wore men’s boxer shorts, mesh and neon to school during my youth, so I really can’t say exposed underpants is any worse. But I do feel a little old and grumpy when my trip to the grocery store becomes a game of human pinball I’d just as soon not win.
In honor of May being National Bike Month, I have a few thoughts to share with all you cute little road warriors out there. You are the (female and male) heros-in-training; you are young and fearless, you are practicing feats of great strength and skill with your bikes as your artist’s brush.
That is wonderful; I honor that passion, joy, and drive—unless you are putting me in a position where I might accidentally drive over you. Or drive into the car in front of me.
Anyone who gets behind the wheel of anything is responsible for being a safe presence on the road. It doesn’t matter if you’re on 18 wheels, four wheels, two wheels, or one. We all have the responsibility on the road to make sure we aren’t intentionally being a hazard to ourselves or other people.
I remember learning to ride a bike, wobbling down the sidewalk for the first time. Riding a bike to and from school, work, or a friends house one of the most healthy things you can do for your body and for the planet. It doesn’t matter if you’re riding a fancy mountain bike, a 10-speed bike you found in your grandparents’ garage, or one of those little oompa-loompa bikes. So ride, ride, ride—ride your bikes across college campuses, new cities, and the great outdoors.
But be safe and smart in the process. Know the riding-a-bike rules, and wear a helmet. I hate helmet-head as much as the next person, but I always wear one. Even if you’re a very cautious biker, you don’t want to end up klunking your head or worse because you got creamed by someone being irresponsible.
Many people aren’t irresponsible on the road because they’re jerks-on-purpose; but we’re irresponsible when we go into traffic not knowing exactly what the rules are, and not paying attention. Thank goodness you don’t have to pass a parallel parking test before you can ride your bike in the street, but it is important to know the rules and cautions when you’re sharing the road on a bike. For example--while you are in traffic, don’t look back (to see if your friends have caught up, to see if that cute girl or guy noticed you, to see how cool your underpants look) while your bicycle is moving forward.
If you’d like to brush up on the rules, figure out how to wear that helmet, or even get on your bike for the first time in a while, National Bike Month is as good a time as any to do so. The League of American Bicyclists http://www.bikeleague.org/ has great information on National Bike Month, local resources, and how to have a lifetime of good experiences riding your bike. Onward!
Nancy Goodman is a licensed counselor with an emphasis on life and career coaching. For questions or to schedule a free consultation, please contact Nancy at 208-478-1414 or goodnanc@yahoo.com. http://vocatusidaho.blogspot.com.
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