Crashes.

It’s as though bicycles are stout, low-flying airplanes. Crashes follow like shadows, bikes falling from the sky . . .

The first expression that flits across listeners’ faces when I inform them of my strange bike commuting habit is often horror. Aren’t you afraid of cars? Sometimes that initial response is replaced with rueful admiration or wistfulness, sometimes not. Either way, the conversation invariably turns to crashes.

“Bad” behavior.

• They say: And THEN he ran a red light!
• Bikes can’t be cars and pedestrians both. You CAN’T have it all.
• She was going right down the middle of the street (thanks, bikeyface).
• He wasn’t wearing a helmet . . . and he was texting.
• I can’t BELIEVE she’d ride with her toddler in the street like that. Get on the SIDEWALK for God’s sake! (Subtext: people are nuts . . . and SHE’S a bad mother!)

Theft.

They say: I had a terrific bike. And then it was STOLEN. (Full disclosure: I’m guilty as charged. All of my bikes until my most recent went the way of carelessness, followed by swift theft.)

What we don’t talk about when we talk about biking.

• Watching spring bloom, leaf by petal.
• Winter’s muted beauty.
• Dinner on the table by seven in homes across the city, scents wafting out.
• Drivers who smile and wave. Who give you the thumbs-up sign when you’re riding in the rain and they’re safe in their metal boxes, kind of wishing they were you.
• Childhood trikes and bikes and scooters. Big wheels. Those first moments, that taste. A breeze of your own making. And a freedom like flying.
• Being content in your own company.
• Easy, effortless living-in-the-moment.

Bike shopping. On one hand, it’s been five years since I shopped for a new bicycle. On the other, I do it every day. Every time I pass a rack-full, I spy sweet rides. Recently, knowing there’s a purchase in my future, I’ve started staring hard at nearly every bike I pass, wondering, Is that the ONE?

My current bike –the tank– was a nervous purchase from the Cambridge Police Auction. Nervous because I hadn’t owned a good bike since the Columbia of my childhood, nervous because I wasn’t really sure I wanted to ride in the city (shooting down Bolyston, center-lane, with a yowling cat perched on your shoulder, anyone?) I told myself that I wouldn’t chance a new bike unless I proved to myself that I was really going to ride. It took a while, but the challenge has been met.

A confirmed maker-of-lists for all purposes and situations, I have taken the opportunity to compose a wish-list that I’ve, so far, given to my favorite bike mechanic/sales-lady for review. I’d like to think she was impressed by my nerd-acity (new word, just made that up.)

Phoebe Needs A New Bike

What I’m looking for:

• Use: daily commute/weekend rides
• Light enough to carry up flight of stairs daily
• Faster than current mountain bike hybrid
• Rear rack included
• Preferably includes fenders
• Interested in drop handlebars (or feature that promotes good wrist posture)
• Discrete (fade from the eyes of thieves)

What I ride now:

• Raleigh mountain bike hybrid
• Heavy!
• Ugly (a plus!)
• Bad breaks
• Rack & fenders