Today, as you probably know, is National Bike To Work Day.
On the whole, I don't care much for designated days for one thing or another. Ideally, we should ride our bikes to work every day, or at least any day we can, just as we should honor our parents every day, not only on Mother's and Father's Day. I feel the same way about office assistants, teachers, veterans and other people and the days dedicated to them.
Still, I guess it's better to have such days than not to have them. Perhaps this day might help to make some people realize that cycling is a viable mode of transportation.
And, I must admit, I expected--and rather hoped--to see a lot of people riding to work. I have several commute routes; the one I took today led me down Kent Avenue on the Williamsburg waterfront. Being the main artery, so to speak, of Hipster Hood, I expected to see throngs of two-wheelers. Instead, this scene greeted me:
Don't get me wrong: I rather enjoyed having the bike lane to myself. On the other hand, I was disappointed to see no other cyclists on what has become one of the main arteries, so to speak, of New York cycling.
Perhaps the reason for my solitude can be seen in this photo:
More precisely, it's what you don't see: the skyscrapers just on the other side of the East River. Normally, they're as visible and distinct as the stars on a clear night in the country.
The weather forecasts are predicting a deluge this afternoon. Perhaps some people didn't want to risk riding in it, so they left their wheels at home--or didn't go to work at all.
At least, I hope that's the case.
On the whole, I don't care much for designated days for one thing or another. Ideally, we should ride our bikes to work every day, or at least any day we can, just as we should honor our parents every day, not only on Mother's and Father's Day. I feel the same way about office assistants, teachers, veterans and other people and the days dedicated to them.
Still, I guess it's better to have such days than not to have them. Perhaps this day might help to make some people realize that cycling is a viable mode of transportation.
And, I must admit, I expected--and rather hoped--to see a lot of people riding to work. I have several commute routes; the one I took today led me down Kent Avenue on the Williamsburg waterfront. Being the main artery, so to speak, of Hipster Hood, I expected to see throngs of two-wheelers. Instead, this scene greeted me:
Don't get me wrong: I rather enjoyed having the bike lane to myself. On the other hand, I was disappointed to see no other cyclists on what has become one of the main arteries, so to speak, of New York cycling.
Perhaps the reason for my solitude can be seen in this photo:
More precisely, it's what you don't see: the skyscrapers just on the other side of the East River. Normally, they're as visible and distinct as the stars on a clear night in the country.
The weather forecasts are predicting a deluge this afternoon. Perhaps some people didn't want to risk riding in it, so they left their wheels at home--or didn't go to work at all.
At least, I hope that's the case.
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