Reflections on riding a bicycle and Local Government elections
“I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike, I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like” [ON A BIKE PATH!] ”
On a beautiful September morning in Sydney, I was riding my bike, as I always do, from Redfern to Darlinghurst, where I teach singing once a week. This time I was preoccupied thinking about the forthcoming local government elections, and how it seemed most of the candidates for Sydney Lord Mayor were campaigning to demolish bike paths. Huh?
I love my ride along the Bourke Street cycleway. While in deep thought I was hugely entertained when stopped at the lights at Cleveland Street, by two little girls on the back of their dad’s bike who were laughing, smiling, shrieking and totally absorbed in their surroundings. It was topped off by one of the girls proudly saying ‘I helped push off, daddy’ as her small sandaled foot gave a gentle press onto the bike path as they set off. There was a slightly older girl on the footpath riding her scooter who was also part of the family, and I heard their dad ask if she was doing OK.
Seeing these girls, their infectious joy, observing the many connections they were able to make – to each other, their environment and the outside world was a real joy. I was also struck by how relaxed and confident they appeared.
The girl on the scooter was old enough to enjoy that special freedom which comes from getting yourself somewhere when you’re a kid and not depending on your parents (sweet, sweet feeling of autonomy!). However, Dad was close by, so what a great way for these girls to learn how to safely get around on your bike or scooter! As a woman, I know that confidently moving around in a city can be challenging. I harboured a hope that these girls’ experience might contribute in some way to their sense of belonging and place in their beautiful Sydney city home, immersed as they were on their bikes and scooters in the lively and friendly hubbub.
I also reflected (bike wheels go around, thoughts go around…) on an alternative option of getting to school - being driven in a car. I used to enjoy driving my son the short distance to school as we have always been happy chatters and love listening to music together.
However, I’m aware it can also invite all sorts of challenges including time stress for busy parents, the unique and unappealing combination of depression and frustration when sitting in traffic while feeling in a hurry,and everyone’s favourite - trying to find a place to park the car.
So more bike paths then would actually be good – right?..less cars, kids could ride together safely…less stress for parents…some people could get to work without sitting in traffic, finding a car park, leaving more space for those who couldn’t.
Riding with a parent. An investment with big dividends.
As well as car trips to school, our son’s dad was regularly riding with him to school. We all knew this was a really nice thing to do - offering the opportunity for quality time together, but it also provided our son with something very significant for his future. Over the years our son learnt from his dad, how to ride safely and assess risk. Us bike riders know there is much to learn and be aware of here. When the time came, our son started riding by himself to school. This gave him precious time for himself, exercise and responsibility. Good stuff.
Our son is now old enough to drive a car but chooses not to. Since he has moved out, our family bike rides are central to quality time together. We ride to football games when he is in town, stopping at a pub or café we like the look of for dinner on the way. Or meet up somewhere and explore an interesting corner of town. It’s so easy to get around on our bikes, no parking necessary for an impromptu stop, and we experience the same pleasure we always did – that of connecting to and feeling part of the environment we are moving through together. Stopping to look at ducks, noticing a lovely garden, saying hi to a toddler, seeing a double rainbow appear as we peddle along in light rain with the sun shining. These small, shared experiences are sustaining, special and very accessible from a bike.
So why do people want to dismantle bike paths? No, seriously, why?
Photo: Bourke street cafes and person using mobility device on the cycleway
Riding makes a big difference for me in terms of managing my physical and mental well-being. I know it does for others too. I love and need the feeling of being part of my environment. Hearing birds, observing the changing leaves on trees through the seasons, the good energy from using my muscles and breathing more deeply all affect my mood in positive ways as does the knowledge that riding contributes to my overall fitness and helps me manage a healthy weight. These are big claims and bring significant outcomes worth considering given how many issues there are for people around regular exercise and healthy eating, often topics of discussion in the media. Whilst riding my bike doesn’t solve all my problems by any means, a ride, whether home from work on the Bourke Street Cycleway or a lovely weekend ride somewhere with my guy, can mean the difference for me between an ordinary day and a hugely enjoyable one.
Dismantle bike paths? Without bike paths I would be on the road, in traffic with motor vehicles. Who wants that? I don’t. I feel unsafe in traffic. People driving cars don’t. Then why dismantle bike paths that provide safe spaces to ride a bike?
When I listen to people who support active transport, I hear consideration and thoughtful discussion for our diverse community and needs. I hear “big picture, creative and imaginative thinking”. I hear that if we can make riding more accessible and safer for all people that will mean less cars on the road, at least sometimes, which means if you need to drive, then that will be easier for you. Great! Win-Win right?
So why dismantle bike paths?
I write these reflections for three reasons.
My deep appreciation for the bike paths of Sydney and what I know it has taken and continues to take for advocates to make these available for the community (for which I thank you and do every time I cycle on one).
For the way riding a bike enhances the quality of my life and what I see it brings into others’ lives – amplified by those beautiful girls and their Dad that September morning.
How distressing to me it is that so many of those seeking civic office so casually undermine and disparage efforts to make our cities more beautiful and liveable [bike paths being an integral part].
Jo on her ride to work
Bourke Street cafes
Bourke Street cycleway
Jo Burton lives in Sydney. Jo is a musician and likes to sing and play instruments every day. Exploring local streets on a bike has been life changing and she hopes we can create a safe place for people of all ages to ride and experience the sights and sounds of their environment.
