ChiWhoBike #27
I like biking in Chicago because there are bike lanes that have been made available, but they didn’t consciously make it available to communities. So I’m torn, right? So if I’m biking into South Chicago, it’s funky ‘cause you won’t see people on it and you won’t see people on it because the community doesn’t see this as something that’s for them. It’s something that somebody thought of because maybe they went to Paris or something, you know what I’m saying? And that’s not cool. If you really want people to enjoy the thing that they should enjoy, that’s good for you, and good for your health, and just good for a community, then involve them. So I like it, but I don’t like it.
There also needs to be better accessibility. There’s 77 boroughs, right? And every community has kids. And all of those kids should be able to take advantage of being able to just be in nature. You know, like going over to the Japanese garden. There are a lot of kids that don’t even know it exists, and they are right there. So I dislike that the things that do have a path aren’t known. Because the lakefront is crazy beautiful. But who do you see out there, and when do you see them? And how often do you actually see young adults partaking? Or just kiddos, just the little bitties, just out there on their bikes. You don’t - you’ll see ‘em in their neighborhoods. And that’s something that could be addressed.
If you’re getting started biking, think about your pocketbook and what’s good for you, and just get a bike. So if you’re not ready to buy a bike, rent a bike, like Divvy. And then, with a friend (don’t do it by yourself, ‘cause it’s always more fun with a friend) go to the lakefront and to Promontory point, or somewhere along that path. Keep it simple, and just start. Give yourself an hour, don’t be hard on yourself. Get on, adjust the seat, make sure that you know how the brakes work. And just start every two weeks and just try it. You get on and you keep trying and try with a friend and you guys watch out for each other. But just start.
