How cycling makes me more selfish.

Caroline Peni
Sep 3, 2018 · 2 min read

For one year now, my main transportation has been the Citybike. But for a week in summer, I had been riding the subway everywhere, near or far. The shift had made me realized something.

Cycling is experiencing. Riding a subway is observing.

Cycling allows me to see at the eye level. Riding a subway gives me a chance to view from the top. Cycling makes me aware of my being and my surrounding. Riding a subway makes me more aware of others and their surrounding.

Being a cyclist allowed me to channel my inner anger and stamina. When cycling, my mind and body were busy keeping eyes on the road. Cars became my rival on the road. Sometimes, pedestrians became an obstruction.

Meanwhile, sitting on the subway seat gave me a chance to see people’s tired faces, hearing their music, smell their body sweat, and knowing what they read. Their stop gave me the cue of what kind of community they live. The time I spent inside observing these commuters, allowed me to create a narrative for each one of them.

I am becoming more in love with people when riding the subway.
Cycling has made me developed indifference towards others. But I know why…

It’s not the transportation that makes me a better or worst person. But it’s the time and willingness to sit down in silence; the luxury I couldn’t get when being on the road. So next time I notice the signal of selfishness on me, all I need to do is to sit down and observe.

Caroline Peni
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