Note this is another in a series of posts from the Mobile Social Worldwide.
While Prague and the Czech people comprise a culture of resistance, it’s not to the car. Cyclist there ride mountain bikes for the cobbles, hilly terrain, and to make quick escapes onto trails when the hostile drivers turn violent. As a symbol of westernization, the car dominates. They proudly make Skodas.
Coming back from a bike path ride, I had a stare down with a driver. I was at a crosswalk not even on the road and he stared me down. I stared right back. My thinking at the time was “hey you surly Czech, I’ve ridden in LA, Beijing, and just yesterday was sprinting roundabouts next to cabbies and lorries in London … you don’t scare me.”
Later, Grant told me his tales of road rage. He blogs about biking in Prague and is a writer/editor/producer at Radio Free Europe.
Angry, crazy drivers shouldn’t deter someone from riding Prague. The trails take you through flood plains, along the river, and to sights it feels like few Western cyclists have seen. Like this cycling art I found in an abandoned sculpture park
or the German I met who was riding a Dahon. Watch out for the cobbles though; especially when wet.
We're riding townies, adventure, and mountain bikes. Find recommendations on our store page. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.