Living in any city has its perks, not having to depend on a car is at the top of my list. Having said that, there are a few things that one needs to be aware of when using alternative modes of transportation. Like the rules of the road, there are also rules of riding the TTC, bicycles, mopeds, scooters, roller blades and skateboards. In this course we will break down the rules of these alternatives one by one.Our first topic will be cycling since I know it best.
The way to safely ride a bicycle in Toronto, besides wearing a helmet (I know Mom, I should really get one), arm and knee pads is to remember this sacred rule: YOU ARE INVISIBLE. If you can remember this simple rule, then you will be just fine. There are exceptions to this rule YOU WILL NOT BE INVISIBLE BUT WILL BECOME A TARGET ON THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS:
1. Caribana: great festival and all but watch out fellow bikers. A lot of people come up from the States on this weekend and apparently they don't ride bikes there.
2. TIFF: also a great festival for the city of Toronto, but beware people will do anything to get a glimpse at Brad Pitts ever-so-soft arm hair, even if it goes under the ruling of attempted murder.
3. Queen Street West rush hour: typically motorist leave a little room between themselves and the curb - not between the hours of 5-6:00pm in this location.
4. Bay Street and surrounding business district: "what is this crazy guy doing" I once heard a man exclaim from his Infiniti. He is riding his bike home from work you jerk.
5. Spadina Ave. at any given time - this irks me every time I almost die in this neighborhood - isn't riding a bike quite common in China?
Although the information I have provided you with may discourage you from riding a bike all together, let me give a quick list of why it is worth the risk:
1. Wind in hair.
2. Nothing beats a morning bike ride when the air is crisp and the rest of the city is still asleep.
3. Never waiting for a streetcar.
4. The satisfying burn in your lungs and pink on your cheeks after a brisk ride.
5. Wind in hair.
6. Starring in your own music video while riding down Queen Street (ipod and great tune needed for this, I recommend Quarantine Girl by Fox Jaws for those dramatic videos and Feel the Love by Cut Copy for the uplifting).
7. Riding by cars stuck in traffic.
8. Riding by streetcars stuck in traffic.
9. Riding by people waiting for streetcars stuck in traffic.
10. Did I mention wind in hair?
Next class - the rules of riding the snail, I mean rocket, ya the rocket.
