Biking in Omaha

My check register shows it being just a little over 3 months ago that I bought my custom built baby named Eve and started on the adventure of being a bike commuter in the great city of Omaha. I just finished 2 weeks of loaning my car out, and hence commuting only with Eve. Well, I mean, I got rides from friends in their cars sometimes, and I got to drive my car on Sunday afternoon, and this awesome guy I know has a motorcycle and took me a few places, but I ran my errands and went to work on my bike. With that behind me, I felt it was a good time to write about a few things I have learned commuting in Omaha the past 3 months. 

 First, let’s set the stage. The last time Emily rode a bike was probably like 8 years ago, and it was on gravel roads with hills. Emily hated it. She had to ride to work until she got her driver’s license. At the time, she thought this was a horrible situation. This spring she thanked her Dad for it.  So, now we have Emily on a road bike (which she has never ridden before) on the streets of Omaha (where she has never lived before) competing with the traffic up the hills to work. Fortunately for me, I have this amazing man who gave me three pieces of advice. One: Stay off the sidewalks, they are suicidal. Two: Ride an arms’ length away from the curb so cars can pass you, but they have to notice you. Three: Be Aware! I was pretty sure there was more to it than that, but considering the amount of bike commuter experience he has compared to mine, I decided to try it. First thing Emily has learned bike commuting in Omaha. Always take advice from other bikers. Pretty much 100% of the time, if something bad (or good) has happened, and they can warn you about it, it will help keep you on the road. This applies to the simplicity of the three above rules. Especially the “Be Aware!” rule. Second thing Emily learned. Biking to work is a fabulous mood enhancer. When I ride 10 minutes to work as opposed to driving 5, I arrive cheerful and on a little adrenaline high. I am not going to deny it, I am a little addicted to the way it puts my day into perspective.

Third thing Emily learned. Everyone likes hot pink bikes, and people in my neighborhood are very happy to tell me how much they love it. I have heard everything from, “DUDE!!!! That is a sweet ride!” to “Get off the road you moron!” and everywhere in between. My pink bike also helped earn me the love of all the children in my apartment complex, who love to touch it, try the pink frog light, and ask me all about it. Fourth thing Emily learned, don’t bite off more than you can chew. This would refer to how much stuff she attempts to cram into her backpack when biking to the grocery store. Let’s just say it is really nice the store is only a few blocks from home… 

Fifth thing Emily learned (and last for this blog post, although there are countless more), just because you are a biker, does not mean you are the smallest thing on the road. Even though sitting between a semi and a school bus at a stoplight might make you feel somewhat vulnerable and puny, always remember there are pedestrians. Including pedestrians who don’t look where they are going, pretend to walk, stop, and at the last second walk out on the street in front of you. These pedestrians can be very thankful for the awesome brakes my man put on Eve’s front tire…