The Best Ride in Town

A Spanish girlfriend told me over lunch that the best thing that has happened to her in Melbourne was her bicycle. “I love it” she beamed, “it’s a better ride than the men!”

Wow! That either says a lot about the bicycles here, or sadly not much about the men.

I’m going for it saying a lot about the bicycles, because frankly Melbourne’s bicycling men are some of the world’s best: they ride all weather, wear check and most importantly know how to dink.

However, no matter the quality of Melbourne’s bicycle men, the bicycle is without a doubt one of the world’s best pieces of riding equipment.

Firstly, it’s fast. If you are someone who doesn’t have time to wait in traffic, circle the block for parking or find a petrol station to fill up at, the bicycle is for you.

In urban centers it’s been proven, more than once, to be the fastest mode of transport.  And given Melbourne’s ever expanding population it’s only going to get faster.

Secondly, it’s fun. If you’re someone who doesn’t dig the boredom of traffic jams, the sluggishness of sitting still, or the feeling of blood pooling in your butt rather than coarsening through your veins, then the bicycle is the cure.

Australia’s rate of sedentary-lifestyle disease is on the rise, and include diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and some would argue irritable bowl, insomnia and depression can also all be helped by gentle physical activity on your way to and from work.   

And thirdly, it’s fulfilling. If you’re on a mission to live life to the max, love a challenge and like to take the road less traveled, then peddling the side streets, the bike paths and the back alleys will make your morning commute a whole lot more exciting.

After all, there is nothing quite like having the sky above you, the earth below and using your own horse power to get you wherever you want to go.

So while the men in Melbourne are fabulous, I have to agree with my friend that the best ride in town is by bicycle.