I know, I know. I'm terrible at posting. I'm just excited someone noticed my absence (shout out to Katie!)!
This post has nothing to do with my list. I am just inclined to post right now by the deep burning in my legs, from an hour and a half bike ride today. So on the topic of "bikeability," the point goes to Beijing, NOT Charlotte.
Top 12 reasons why:
1. No bike lanes. Oh wait, there is one bike lane that lasts about half a mile. Useful.
2. Per #1, must ride on sidewalk and endure a rhythmic bump the entire ride...with extra bumps every time you cross a driveway or street. My butt hurts just thinking about it.
3. Hilly.
4. Have to slow down crossing every driveway or street since the sidewalk is intersecting sooner, and since Charlotte drivers aren't very aware of those smaller than them on the road.
5. Tree limbs and overgrown bushes.
6. Rain. It's almost guaranteed to rain at least once every day during spring and summer. And it's near impossible to tell when.
7. Drivers don't want to share the road, walkers don't want to share the sidewalk. Fail.
8. Sidewalks randomly end. How much sense does that make???!
9. Sidewalks randomly do scenic detours instead of just sticking to a straight path next to the road.
10. In some awesome places around the world, big intersections actually have a "go time" just for bikes, where all cars are halted at red. Charlotte of course, does not.
11. No bike racks. ANYWHERE.
12. Also in certain awesome cities around the world, you can buy the perfect bike for about 20 USD, and then get it fixed for a few bucks on almost any street corner by the cute old man sitting on a bucket. My bike today got stuck in fifth gear for about half the trip, thereby requiring all of my energy to move just an inch.
And it is because of all of these reasons that it took me 45 minutes to ride 6 miles, and all I walked away with was jelly legs, a sore butt, wet clothes and a lot of annoyance.
GET IT TOGETHER CHARLOTTE (.../America?)
