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free bicycle

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

It's "free bicycle" day in Toronto. I've now saved more money in TTC fares than I've spent on the bike.

Not that I spent an awful lot on the thing, but the costs do add up. And now I'm back in the black after only about ten weeks.

Riding a bike in this city isn't easy. The road surfaces are in poor (poor to awful) condition, the bike lane network is under-developed, and now it seems that cycling is becoming a political issue.

And then there are the drivers. Today I got home to hear from Mari that a driver had clipped both Mari and Kenny (hitting both on the hand) with his rear view mirror after they'd jointly started up from an intersection. It's outrageous and terrying. She tells me it was a full-size sedan, and I can just picture the self-indulgent type: people seem to think that road == car. I've had drivers honk at me while waiting for a light to change, like I was suppose to go somewhere. Look it up, lazybones, I'm supposed to ride like a vehicle, use turn lanes, and obey the traffic lights!

And then there are those cyclists. The ones who run red lights. The ones who ride while using their phone (ffs!). The ones wearing headphones.

And then there are the snobs. Sorry guys, your single-speed doesn't mean any more to me than does the glitzy "luxury SUV" you're yelling at. And to the fellow who told me he'd had the same model bike as me but had upgraded to something more expensive: was I supposed to admire you? Acknowledge your greatness? My bike is free! It's now at -$7.50, actually. I'm actively saving for this bike's next repair (headset) and eventual replacement. (With something that I'll ride to zero cost.)

In the mean time, I've bought a few of those "Bike Riding PINKO" pins from Smashing magazine and joined in the fun. Maybe after Don Cherry passes from this mortal coil, we can have a cycle bridge in the city named after him.