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Nowadays, it's not just penny-farthings (the bike with a big front wheel) you see on the road, there's BMXes, unicycles and tonnes of tricky bikes which are heaps of fun! Actually, since I get about a lot, I've had a few experiences, some good, and some dangerous.
Once, I called my friend Julia to ask her for a ride to school, because her mum sometimes takes me in, and I was running slightly late, so I quickly put my shoes on and scurried out to the car, to find that there were two six-formers on the pavement outside my house. One with a bike, and one with a bike and handlebars in the other hand. In front of Julia's car was a black car and an old woman, who lives next door to me, screaming at them. Her husband was looking and admiring the side of the car, looking horrified. I clambered into Julia's car, and looked confused. Julia and her mum explained to me that one of the boys was riding his bike without holding onto the handlebars, and made a dent in the car. Fortunately, the boy was not too hurt, apart from a bruise on his head, which was kind of strange because he should've been wearing a helmet, unlike the other boy. Therefore I warn you strongly to wear a helmet and hold onto the handlebars when you're cycling.
The second experience I had was with a boy I knew from my old primary school. His name was Aaron and he cycled the same way I did. He biked down from the churchyard and I biked down from the pub, meaning we met at a sharp turn with bars so that cars could not come through. He did the sensible thing and started to slow down, but I carried on because I thought Aaron was letting me go. I biked on but his bike slid down and curved, so he fell over and hit the side of his body. I didn't know what happened until I got to the end, but lucky for him, his friends were there and helped him get along to school. From this incident, I'd like to point out that the safest way to cycle is with your friends, not on your own.
The last one I have had so far is one of death, so if you feel sensitive about this subject, feel free to browse the other areas of the Whyville Times, or skip this paragraph. On my route to school, there is two possible journies to take, one involving the road, and one involving a walking path. As always, I chose to take the path and carried on with my journey to school, but when I arrived, my fellow classmates Doulton and David looked very down and upset. I asked Doulton what was the matter, and he told me on his way to school he saw a woman dying on the road. When I asked my friends what had happened, they said at twenty past eight, on the main road to school, a lorry started going faster than it needed to go, unaware that just below in front of them, was a 32-year-old woman on her bike. Unfortunately, the lorry was going too fast, and the woman, who didn't know what was behind her, got tripped up by the lorry and died on the road. It is so much safer to avoid big roads, even if they are just to your local corner shop.
But enough of that, quick mood swing now! Cycling, if you ride safely, can be so much fun, just look at these up-sides!
- You can have a nice chat with your mates on the way to where-ever you're going.
- It's green, and better for the enviroment if you take your bike rather than go in the car.
- It's good exercise, and many adults use it to lose weight.
- It's much faster than walking!
- You can decorate your bike however you want to, even buy a BMX (although they are not as safe as proper bicycles)!
- You get some nice fresh air outside!
But, before you start peddling off, remember these things!
- Wear a helmet and be safe!
- Hold onto the handlebars at all times!
- Try and cycle with your friends.
- Plan an easy route and avoid all roads and motorways.
- Wear a rucksack on your back, don't dangle handbags off your handlebars, it's very dangerous.
- Buy a bell if you can, although they aren't necessary.
So is cycling a delicassy or a bore? Let me know through BBS!
-Love Sheniesha
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