Biking has been great since it was your only mode of transportation aside from your parents.
It’s one of the few things that never loses its luster, and you never forget how to do it hence the term “It’s just like riding a bike.” Yes, that’s what that means!
It’s also, in my humble opinion, the best and most efficient way to get around New York City.
When I first moved to the city, I vowed to get a bike; I had visions of me in my awesome sea foam-green colored cruiser with a basket holding for my dog, it was beautiful.
Then reality slapped me in the face by way of insufficient space in my apartment to house this two-wheeler and the fact a new bike was swiped on my block every 02 seconds (totally made up statistic).
Enter CitiBike, which, in a lot of ways, is similar to your best friend owning a boat. It’s there when you need it, and you have zero responsibility for it. So for me, the ultimate solution.
Sure, there have been some ups and downs; docks that say they’re open, but not, forcing you to frantically cruise around just to park the damn thing; bike seats that fall down while riding- I could go on, but for the most part, CitiBike and I have been in a harmonious relationship for years.
Only one hold-up-- aside from pedestrians who don’t look where they hell they’re going-- and that’s real bikers.
I’m not saying one is better than the other, and I’m also not saying that I don’t feel a little bit like a loser when a legit biker pulls up next to my bright blue, bank-logo donned cruised-- because I do, sometimes.
What I am saying is since biking in this city, I’ve come to see the vast differences between us; there are lots of them-- eight to be exact-- and they’re very specific. Check them out.
1. Safety gear
Raise your hand if you’ve ever seen a CitiBike rider rocking a helmet? Yeah, us either. Seriously, not one.
It could be because we throw caution into the wind, or are monumentally stupid, but it’s mostly rooted in the fact we just aren’t on these bikes for all that long. It’s a “commuter” bike, after all.
The ones on real bikes, on the contrary, appear as if they’re about to take on the Tour de France; they’re equipped with helmets, gloves, a maybe even camelback to keep them hydrated through those congested NYC thoroughfares.
2. Apparel
While this technically fall under gear, it has nothing to do with your safety. Unless the safety issue is flashing people, or ripping a seam in your jeans, or slicing through your shoes on a chain link fence… all of which have happened to me.
Here’s the thing. They make workout clothes for a reason. They’re durable, stretchy, and almost always without holes.
Your actual clothes don’t always fit the bill, and CitiBikers, more often than not, are in actual clothes, even nice ones like a suit, dress, or whatever it is he or she is wearing to work and/or to brunch.
Bikers are usually clothed more appropriately. Sure, they may be commuting too, but either they bring alternate clothing, or they work in an actual bike shop because you just don’t see as many suit and ties cruising by on the non-bank branded two wheels.
3. Music
Brace yourself for one of the largest strikes against real bikers: their affinity for making us all listen to what they’re listening to. While not across the board, you won’t hear a CitiBike rider blasting a stereo from his/her handle bars.
We have a little something called respect for our passersby.
Not really.
In fact, CitiBike-- can you consider getting some sort of XM Radio or streaming set-up on those handle bars? That would be dope.
4. Law abiding
Technically, bikers of all kind are to adhere to the same rules as cars. That means not going the opposite direction down a one-way street, stopping at all lights, and minding pedestrians.
None of us follow all of them, and if you say you do, you’re lying. However, CitiBike riders tend to follow them a little more closely than actual bikers.
Overall, they're much more “aggressive drivers” and you’ll find them giving zero you-know-whats when it comes to traffic rules.
Side note: the best double standard is when I become furious at an actual biker who's in the bike lane going the opposite direction, and then when I do the exact same thing, I avoid eye contact as we pass each other. Hey, sometimes it’s the price to pay to avoid those terrifying busy streets!
,5. Bell use
CitiBike bikers will bell you all day long. All. Day. Long.
It’s pretty much the only bell I hear when riding.
So much so, you can’t help but wonder if it falls into the same insecurity camp of when you buy a flash car to make up for, um, other things.
6. Speeding
If you really have a need — a need for speed — then CitiBike may not always be your friend.
You will have to pedal your damn face off to make those lights. And real bikers will dart around you the same way the show off kid at the skate rink does (don’t pretend like you don’t remember those punks.)
There’s a reason for this. Unlike your awesome 10-speed Schwinn from your pre-teen days, CitiBike’s have — count ‘em — three gears.
Oh, and none of them will really help increase your speed at all; they're essentially like driving with the parking brake on.
7. That sound
We’re not crazy; you can hear a CitiBike. Every rider knows this sound I’m talking about, and they likely don’t even have to turnaround to know whether it’s a real bike or a CitiBike on their tail.
It’s like this gentle, hum-like click that only those bikes can make. It’s soothing, reassuring, and above all else, a little scary how easy it is to recognize.
8. Leonardo DiCaprio
Most importantly, Leo. That's right, Jack Dawson rides a CitiBike. Just sayin'.
Check out 22 Legit Signs You're a Real New Yorker Living in NYC.