Despite having had a bike in Beijing since May 2013 (I bought one via email from a previous IUP student who left in May), it has taken me until today to ride it. Reasons are as follows:
Reasons why Aobo has not yet ridden a bike in Beijing:
- I have a hard enough time trying to navigate through the Beijing traffic without giving up control of my motor abilities.
- My bike has had a flat tire and a much-too-high-for-my-small-body seat until today.
- I quite enjoy the 30-minute walk from my apartment to our building, thank you very much.
- I have not ridden a bike since middle school.
After enduring many rounds of ridicule from my roommates, I finally bought myself a bike lock, got some air pumped into my tires, and said my prayers, and I biked to school.
Whoowhee! was that an experience. I managed to almost crash into not 1, not 2, but 6 pedestrians! Whoever said 'you never forget how to ride a bike' wasn't lying, but should add 'but it'll feel as if you have if you haven't been on one in more than 4 years'. I am, however, pleased to say that it took me less than 15 minutes to get to class, which is enough reason for me to continue this reckless, hazardous activity. Oh, the things crazy things I do for knowledge...
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