Dodgin' Spokes: Living in a Bicycle City

I was walking out of my driveway, gearing up for my evening walk, when I was blindsided by a passing bicyclist. I flung off the bike, quite like a rock in a spoke. He must have saw the look of "no medical benefits" horror on my face when he shouted, "Sorry!!! I'm so sorry!!" My heart was doing jumping jacks as I looked up and PHEWWW another bicyclist jumps in my path, its handlebars skimming the side of my sweatshirt. What the hell is going on?! Am I caught in some kind of Tour de Alameda bike race? I'm sure these guys were just enjoying a great ride, but do they have so much sweat in their eyes that they cannot read the sign the city so generously posted. C'mon, Mr. Bicycle Men, at least toot your little horn or give me some kind of warning! A cyclist nearly hit the bed of my truck when I was inching out of my driveway last week. The year before, a cyclist bounced off the back of my neighbors car as he was backing out of the same driveway. It's nuts. The sign is not only supposed to help people like me with narrow driveways, but the hundreds of adults and children who walk up and down my street each day.

Many suburban cities have prohibited individuals from riding bikes on city sidewalks. Due to the large number of pedestrians walking and shoppers stepping out of shops, the sidewalk is not a safe place to ride a bicycle. I love riding bikes, don't get me wrong! I remember my first bike, a shiny red bicycle with a bright yellow banana seat. I remember my sister and I would take turns riding on the back of the seat cruising up and down the block, to our friend's houses, to the store, everywhere; you name it! It wasn't until the street lights came on or until you heard Dad's loud penetrating whistle a mile away that it was time to hop off the bike and run home for dinner.

When I was a teenager, I longed for one of those cool beach cruiser bikes. And, on one sunny California Christmas day, my face lit up the whole block as I rode around on my sweet cruiser. Thanks again, Santa! If I only had that bike still to cruise Alameda's many beautiful trails and bike paths, I would feel young and free again.

Once I find a job, maybe that will be my first splurge! A classic blue and white beach cruiser with huge handlebars and a cool little basket on the front to pick up my goods from the local farmers market.....oooooooh that sounds awesome! Oh, and don't worry my fellow Alamedans, I will make sure I toot my horn as I am coming up the block! TOOT TOOT!!