Wednesday, April 22, 2009

EARTH (to all people that hog sidewalks) DAY.

In honor of Earth Day I decided to leave my SUV at home today and ride my bike to do some errands. The total trip ended up being about 10 miles (class was canceled so I had some time to spare). It felt great to get a workout in while getting stuff done all while treating the earth a little better. Although, I do have to point out what a shame it is that biking around this town/city is not all pleasant.

Now, I'm not one of those hardcore bikers that go with the flow of traffic. That scares the crap out of me.
I bike on the sidewalk...and I was very mistaken when I thought the hardest part of my trip would be the physical aspect. Even though I'm very outta shape that was a piece of cake compared to the idiots I had to maneuver around. I'm not kidding. Three or four times I'd be riding toward two people walking side by side and neither of the moved out of the way. They clearly saw me...I was headed right for them. Then there were the people that found it necessary to walk right in the middle of the sidewalk, as if they owned it and no one else would be traveling by foot or bike on "their" sidewalk. I'd even let out an "Ahem! Excuse Me" and they wouldn't budge. So I'd hop off my bike and go around them. And last but not lease there were the drivers. Drivers HATE bikers. Drivers also forgot what those white lines sprayed on the road before a traffic light are for. Just in case one of you are one of those drivers that forgot, they are for pedestrians to walk or ride on. It's our only way of crossing the street safely.

So while my intention started out as a way to do my part to treat the earth better today, I learned a lot and nothing has to do with the earth. I'm definately going to make a better effort to consider the people around me, especially while I'm on the road driving my car.

Don't worry. I have not become discouraged from riding my bike around Atlanta, next time I'm riding and two people are walking toward me on the side walk, I'm not stopping. Ha ha, maybe then they'll learn their lesson.

cmd

p.s. Yes mom, I did wear my helmet. ;)

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