I’m Kicking the Car Habit!
Yesterday, I did something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time: pick up my son from school using a bike and trailer instead of a car. It was exhausting (the last block home was the hardest), but I’m hoping to keep it up (even if my son complains, “We could be home already” — even though he’s the one who lobbied to ride in the trailer in the first place!)
With a gas-guzzling Blazer on its last legs, the only thing that’s been holding me back till now was the lack of an alternative. Stroke of luck number one came a few weeks ago, when I passed a house with an 18-speed women’s bike in the front yard with a sign that said “Free: Please take.” So I did.
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Stroke of luck number two came last Friday, when a last-minute check of Craigslist before heading out the door showed an ad for a used children’s bike trailer. Not only was it affordable, but the seller was actually just a few miles away! My son and I at last had wheels that didn’t rely on fossil fuels.
The six-mile round trip yesterday was, as I said, a bit exhausting … especially since it’s been about 10 years since I had a working bike. But I was cheered on by a fellow home-to-school bike-rider who struck up a conversation with me while trailing her own grade-schooler back home in the same direction.
Here’s hoping we can start a trend!
(And, yes, by the way, that’s my sweet little boy in the photo.)
What a great idea! And your son is adorable.
You might want to take that bike into a shop for a tuneup - getting everything into good shape can make the ride a lot easier. It looks like those tires have pretty big tread, too. When I swapped my super-tready tires for skinnier ones, I could instantly feel the difference! Hills that I had to walk up previously were suddenly manageable!
Thanks Becky! Think I’ll take you up on those great suggestions, especially re: the tires. Sounds like that could make a big difference.
Always great to read about cycling abroad. Good to know Dutch aren’t alone on this one (as we often think).
Keeping your tires well inflated may help too. I always forget my winter check up untill somebody wants a ride on the back.
Keep it up, it’s good for your health too.
Good for you Shirley!
When I was a young private in the Military and stationed in Germany (this was 20 years ago) we took our kids everywhere by bike. I still have great memories of all those bike rides.
When I came back to the states, one of my first thoughts was “My goodness, has this country gotten heavy or is it just me?”
Keep it up. It may not be a lifestyle yet, but when it becomes one, it will be one of the best things you ever did.
Adam