I Love Riding in the City

NAME: John Watson aka “Prolly”
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
OCCUPATION: Architect / Gutter Rookie / 3D Modeler

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and I ride a track bike like everyone else here.

What was your favorite city to ride in, and why?
I loved riding in Rotterdam and Amsterdam because of the urban planning. The Dutch have it all figured out. Ideal bike lanes, more rights for cyclists and ample bike parking.

Why do you love riding in the city?
NYC is the perfect city to ride a bike in. It’s dense and because it’s essentially a grid, it’s easy to navigate. All the traffic and crazy pedestrians keep you on your toes and there are no “ordinary days” on a commute. The only downside to riding in NYC is the lack of compassion for the cycling community. People die out there all too frequently and the city always manages to blame the cyclists, not the drivers.
With all the negative things I could say about NYC’s planning, there’s nothing that beats riding with 10 people from Brooklyn all the way up the West Side to Harlem. It’s such a beautiful ride. Also, summer-time Coney Island rides are a staple. Finding that special little spot to do tricks really makes my day!

Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city…
There is no other city in the US that has the density of NYC where you can ride from one end to the other in less than 45 minutes.

Check out johnprolly.blogspot.com

We love riding in the city. We know you do, too. Urban Cycling features a department entitled "I Love Riding in the City," and we want to include your experiences.

Please note, if you want to be featured in the print version, providing a high-quality photo or piece of your artwork will greatly increase your chances of being selected.

NAME TO BE PUBLISHED:LOCATION TO BE PUBLISHED:
OCCUPATION TO BE PUBLISHED:

• Where do you live and what's it like riding in your city?

• What's been your favorite (or the most exotic) city to ride in and why?

• Why do you love riding in the city?

• Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city... Poetry anyone?

Email your responses to jeff@urbanvelo.org.