Stop the excuses and get on your Bike

This has gotta be short and sweet cause I don't have a lot of extra time... everybody's got reasons why they can't ride a bike and I used to be one of them. How many can you check off?

o My picture is next to the word "unathletic" in the dictionary.

o I live at the top of a really big hill.

o I have a small child who saps every ounce of energy I have.

o I have my own business so I need to be punctual.

o My mechanical skills are a bit lacking.

o I'm not a radical or an environmentalist; just a regular "Jo."

But guess what? I ride my bike four times a week to work and a couple of times on the weekends for fun, exercise, and running errands. With practice, I managed to get up the really big hill and get a little more athletic. Exercising actually gives you more stamina for those energy-sapping tasks. Riding to work is far more reliable than mass transit and cheaper too. I learned how to change a tire and feel empowered by the fact that I can fix some minor things on my bike. I wouldn't call myself an extremist, but I can scream at the double parked idiots in the bike lane as well as anybody.

And one last thing, riding a bike is incredibly fun. It's not just for kids, but it makes you feel like one. It's exhilarating and stress-reducing, completely the opposite of being in a car. Try it, you'll be a convert too!

By Joanne Galant, July 1, 1999
e-mail Jo2wheels@let-us.com

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