On the morning of May 20, 2016, I joined thousands of New Yorkers for National Bike to Work Day. It’s one of the few days where pedestrians and drivers are happy to see bikers on the road. I have been biking for three years, it has changed the way I see the world, think about my health and commute to and from work. Everyone has their own reasons for hopping on a bike and exploring the world, I would like to share with you how I joined the millions of New Yorkers who bike for fun.
Here is What You Missed in Last Weeks Activist Checkin:
Three years ago I was like most twenty-something New Yorkers. Optimistic, sort of employed and extremely broke. I was renting a room in Harlem and would commute to Brooklyn every single day for work. After covering rent, buying two weeks worth of peanut butter, jelly, and wheat bread, there was usually nothing left in my budget to pay for transportation. Single ride fares for the Subway are only $2.75 but if you’re riding the train at least twice a day, that adds up. An unlimited monthly metro card at the time was $112. Reasonably priced once you factored in how many rides you use with the card, but I didn’t have that much money to spend for in one transaction. After months of penny-pinching and couch surfing, I decided the smartest thing I could do was get a bike. One of my best friends had a mountain bike he was getting rid of and offered it to me for free, a week later, I got a free helmet from an event hosted by “Bike New York” and that is where my bike story began.
Biking to work changed my life. I spent 27 years riding subways and missing out on all that NYC had to offer. All of a sudden I was taking a 24-mile journey from Upper Manhattan (Harlem) to Brooklyn and back every single day. I was able to experience everything the city had to offer, the diverse neighborhoods, it’s amazing architecture, the colorful debates that take place in front of buildings every day, and I did all of this for free. What started out as a necessity to get to work has become a pastime, I started commuting everywhere with my bike. On my days off I grab my helmet, a bottle of water and explore with no destination in mind. Three years later, and I’m still at it. Constantly looking for new corners to explore, and commuting to work with nothing but my bike, a helmet, and a little pedaling.
Everyone has a different bike story. This was mine, but yours could be anything, the most important thing is that you hop on a bike and get started. Whether that’s a stationary bike, training wheels, in your backyard, or hopping right on the road. I’m proud of my bike story, and how it has impacted my life, but now it’s time for you to pick up a helmet, a bottle of water and hit the road.