Spring brings out the bikers

As I make my week day morning bike ride to Union Station I’m amazed at how many bicycles are on the road. Where did they all come from? I don’t remember seeing any of them this fall or winter. Heck, I don’t even remember seeing all of them last spring. I guess cabin fever from being snowed in for so long coupled with the longer hours and warm temps have “driven” people to wipe the dust off their bicycles and hit the roads.  They’ve hit the roads in record numbers in their shiny new bikes (I hate shiny new bikes… I like the character of my beat-up bike that has all the battle scars of the road… but that’s just me).

I’m not complaining (per say) because those who know what they are doing when they ride create better conditions for those of us who bike daily. For the other bicycle newbies who think riding a bike is as easy as, well, riding a bike, here are some suggestions:

• Wearing high heels while riding a bike should only be done by experienced bikers. If your heel gets stuck as I approach you… I will hit you.
• Look both ways before you take off. You shouldn’t just look for pedestrians and cars. There are other bikers on the roads as well.  If you don’t see me as I’m rolling… I will hit you.
• I’m an animal rights activist but if you ride with your dog on a leash beside you and he suddenly stops and you suddenly stop… I will hit you.
• If you have mirrors on your bike and both sides of your helmet I fully expect you to see me approaching and if you don’t I will… oh, you get the picture by now.

OK, everyone grab your bicycle, helmets and unnecessary accessories (don’t get the overkill on the mirrors) and get to ridding. But be careful because those of us who think we own the road will… (go ahead… fill in the blank).