My New Ride

We are now a two vehicle family. I would say a 2-car family, but in reality it is a 2-bike family...electric bike.

Let me take you back for a moment to 5th, 6th, and 7th grade, when I was in my prime bike riding element. This was the only mode of transportation which allowed my first taste of responsibility and freedom. Our street was called Bent Tree Ct. and my whole neighborhood was filled with people I knew from church so I could ride around with my friend Nikki and we could explore and have wonderful adventures. I remember riding as fast as I could down our steep driveway, banking a quick right and flying all the way to Nikki's house, then a quick wave by our pastor's house and on around the block. What great days! Then...... I became too cool for my bike, then.......I got a camarro. Bye Bye Bike. Until now.

This week my sweet, loving, wonderful husband bought a second electric bike. Many of you will remember we have had one bike stolen already. I had tentatively taken his bike on "test rides" to see if I could still handle a bike....it has been a while. I had gone to the market, paid the phone bill, and even last week took Hannah to a friends house...she was riding behind me. Whew! (my mom never let me ride on the back of anyone's bike...I must be way cool)

So, this week my bike era has begun again. No more taxis or bus 33 for me. Our morning begins as Rob, the kids, and I coast down our HUGE hill to the street from our apartment and meet our friends at the bottom. Hannah and her friend get on the back of Rob's bike and Hudson and his friend get on the back of my bike.....it is carpool time! Now, my heart begins to race a little becasue riding the bike to school with 2 precious kids on the back honestly makes me a little nervous. But, it isn't far and I really am a good driver, and I am also comforted by the facts that there are other bikepoolers on their way to school with more people/kids on the back than me. Plus noone is going too fast. There are no lanes really, it is every bus, car, van, motorcycle, and bike for himself. After dropping the kids off at school Rob and I head to language school. What fun we have had riding our bikes together. Yesterday he was showing off for me, showing me his bike tricks, I am sure they have all come back to him from childhood. Today we rode home through the park, so fun! However, now I have a bike hair issue, on top of my way-too-humid-frizzy-hair issue.

The best part about these bikes is that they are electric. It is perfect for adults....you don't have to pedal, except up the hills. One twist of the handle and away you go. AND.......navigating the traffic is like the game Frogger....except on steroids, and it is real. There are no stated driving rules here, only suggestions. But everyone follows an unstated traffic flow and cars don't drive anywhere near as fast as they do at home. In fact, most of the time we draw so much attention, especially when the kids are on the back, cars slow down and ride next to us staring so they can watch the kids.

So, now that I have given you all, especially the grandparents, something new to pray for, I hope to reassure you with the fact that there are more bikes on the road than any other form of vehicle, and bikes have their own special lanes to ride in, except when the cars and buses decide to drive in them too, so we are very safe!