I’ve biked over 12,000 miles on the streets of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Milton, and it has often been an adventure…
People have cut me off in traffic – but you expect that in Boston. I’ve had people throw drinks at me. Did they think I was dehydrated? I don’t think so. People occasionally shout things, too. Usually something about ‘get off the road’, but sometimes it’s hard to tell ’cause voices don’t carry well over the road noise, distance and speed differences. When I had long hair, guys would hoot and holler at me. That was weird… I’ve also crashed into a car door. I should have gotten stitches for that one… Have you ever wiped out in traffic in the middle of a rotary in the rain? Scary. Wiped out on garbage slime? Eeeew. Run a red light across four lanes of traffic without a clear view? Stupid. There’s more, but you get the idea…
Cambridge, as always, is pretty progressive. They have many bike lanes, which makes biking there better. But in Boston, you have to fend for yourself. It can be tough. My (proverbial) hat is off to those who commute or courier in the city. I’m too lazy for that now… (more…)
