I Love Riding in the City

NAME: Ana Pereira
LOCATION: Oeiras, Portugal
OCCUPATION: ‘bikepreneur’ wannabe

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Oeiras, a suburban area a couple of miles from the country’s capital city, Lisboa. I like cycling around here because it’s still a small city atmosphere. It’s near the big city but there’s lots of open space, fields, an occasional flock of sheeps roaming through the pastures... There are no cycle paths so I just ride on the road, along with traffic. There are no parking facilities for bikes around here, either. That’s a major deterrent to cycling to more places, the biggest one, actually... There’s no such thing as a bike culture here. But I plan on helping change that.

What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
Friedrichshafen, in Germany, where Eurobike takes place. It’s an absolutely idyllic place, the streets, the people, the beautiful paths by the lake... A must!

Why do you love riding in the city?
Because it makes me feel more like a part of it, instead of just a passer by. I can hear the people, look at them, notice the details of the places I ride through. I can hop off and hop on again whenever I feel like it or need to. Riding my bike gets me where I need to go and makes me feel good, the exercise improves my humor, and relaxes me. I don’t get traffic stress like when I drive my car.

NAME: Anthony Robson
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
OCCUPATION: Lawyer/Editor

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Edinburgh and for the most part riding here is pretty relaxed (though we have more than our fair share of SUVs). The one thing you can guarantee here is a hill or seven – you’ll not go more than a mile on a perfectly flat road. Oh, and the potholes, no problem if I’m on the MTB, hell if I’m on the fixed or road bike.

What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
Not really a city, but riding round Rarotonga (the largest of the Cook Islands) almost killed me in the heat. No matter what city I ride in I think there’s always somewhere fun you can find to play.

Why do you love riding in the city?
Could be any number of things. I hate taking buses, so the bike keeps me out of them. I hate sitting in traffic jams, so the bike keeps me out of the car. Above all else? I love getting places quicker than any other transport (except maybe motorbikes) and that look of bemusement concealing a slight fear when you tell people you ride to work in all conditions.

Check out www.citycycling.co.uk