Rediscovery of a bike

I’ll admit it. When I first moved to Hoboken, I drove my car around town. I would drive directly to my destination, choosing times I thought there’d be less traffic. I would battle with other drivers to merge, turn and park. We would curse at each other through the windshield. I hunted for parking and when I found the coveted street spot, often I wouldn’t move it all week until the dreaded street sweeper made me search for a new space or maybe just circle around the block till they were clear.
I had car stress.
Then Hudson Bike Share came to town. I hadn’t ridden a bicycle regularly since I was a kid and that was in my neighborhood on the lawn and sidewalks of my childhood home, not in a city, on the street. I was a little nervous to ride a bike in town and it took a while for me to get comfortable. Here’s my newbie advice for riding in the street.
- Wear a helmet — you’ll feel better and you’ll be better protected. It can even be bedazzled if you like.
- Avoid streets with heavier car traffic, don’t go along Willow or Washington when you’re starting out, choose streets that have bike lanes and when you find yourself on a street that doesn’t, just ride in the middle of the street. (Sharrows are where cars and bikes SHARE the road.)
- Don’t let the cars intimidate you. Go at your own pace. The cars can wait behind you, or they can turn and go a different way. (I blow kisses to those cars who honk or yell at me.)
- Find a group of people and do a group ride. You’ll get more comfortable with riding and make new friends. Shameless plug: Bike Hoboken does group rides in the evening (check our Facebook page!)
Once you get past the nervousness I think you’ll discover what I rediscovered when I got on that bike — that feeling of freedom you have on a bike. The breeze on your face while your feet are pedaling away. The huffing to get up the hill and the joy of coasting down. The way you can enjoy the incredible view as you bike along the waterfront. The freedom to stop off easily to enjoy a coffee, an ice cream or even a beer (you can always walk your bike back home). Riding my bicycle, I can interact with people in a way I just can’t when I’m in my car. I wave, I smile and can easily stop to chat if I want. Traveling around town became a totally different experience on a bike. I no longer need to leave when traffic isn’t so bad, and I don’t have to worry about where I’ll park. I don’t have that car stress any longer. Now I ride my bike for all my errands, picking up dry cleaning, going to the library, meeting friends for brunch, grocery shopping (yes, you can fit a lot in that basket), going to the movies, heading to the PATH train.
Really, a bicycle can take you wherever you need to go in this town, no car necessary.
Written by Chris Adair, President of Bike Hoboken.
