David Byrne writes about riding bicycles in NYC for nearly 30 years, including the early years withTalking Heads (iTunes) where they made fun of him for being like Pee Wee Herman. While noting how exhilarating riding across town is
“A ride across town gets the adrenalin going as one heads to work or to the studio in the morning. By the time one arrives for a meeting one is fully awake blood pumping, on alert ” having often just had 3 near-death experiences.”
he also observes a wonderful new bike path up the Hudson and how some NYC streets now have marked bike lanes.
For more NYC rides, check this guide to NYC metro area bike paths that not only describes the ride, but tells its history.
Concluding his post, Byrne talks about the freedom of riding through a chapel in Vegas, strange looks in Instanbul, and the levees in New Orleans. He reminded me of why I take my bike with me most everywhere I travel and the cycling perspective.
In Beijing, we rode in the “flow” of the city and we’ll ride in more cities this year on the Modal, a new travel bike project.
(photo credit Cunning Stunt)