Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Why are you biking?

At my current part-time job as a case worker, my co-workers are having a hard time understanding why it is that I bike to work. I am constantly entertained by the commentary... so I thought I would share some of the dialogue...quotes are from co-workers, italics are my sarcastic thoughts, and all others are my actual responses.

" Did you ride that here?? "
Haha. Nope. I carried it.

" Who's bike is this?"
Me: Mine.
" Oh, how cute. "
Yep. That's what I was going for. I want to make a statement, and I want that statement to be "Cute!"

"
Do you have a ride?"
Me: Yes, I ride my bike.
" Well, do you want a REAL ride?"
Me: No, I am fine with my fake ride.
- She had to laugh at this because she realized how ridiculous it sounded.

" Its so cold, how are you biking?"
Me: With a coat, hat, and gloves
" Well, I still don't know how you do it."
First, I sit on the bike, then I use my feet to push the bike forward, and then I pedal. It gets tricky, because I also have to steer AND brake.

" Why don't you just buy a car?"
Me: Why don't you just ride a bike?
" Haha, but seriously, why don't you buy a car."

The answer to this last question is two-fold.
1. My attempt at being car-free would be pretty much over.
2. I can't afford to buy and maintain a car.

Despite the constant questioning of my bike riding, this position has made it much easier to be car-free because I only live about 1.5 miles from my office. The biggest challenges are finding clothes to wear that are work AND biking appropriate, dealing with the rain, and getting off work late at night (not the best neighborhood). I carpool when necessary, especially since I hurt my knee, but I try to bike when possible. Here's to the constant struggle to live car-free...

Monday, December 14, 2009