Montreal Biking

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Biking in Montreal is not easy, but if you're willing to risk it, the experience is a lot of fun. In 2007, the city of Montreal completed constructed on a bike path  that runs from Atwater to Berri along the De Maisonneuve boulevard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Maisonneuve_Boulevard). It is not perfect, but the route allows me to safely get from my apartment (point A) to the university (point B) without  having to feel stifled on the metro. Montreal was a biking city, and it continues in that same tradition; the bike path will continue to grow (read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/04/15/mtl-bikepath0415.html#ixzz12BBYdtS4). Despite the wonderful high I get from my daily endorphin intake, the wind in my face, and the acceleration I feel all the way down to my tippy toes, I as a Montreal biker must face the three horrors that roam the streets: taxicabs, pedestrians, and non-"enlightened" bikers.

Taxicabs
This is an umbrella term I use for cars that do not signal. Why? Because in Montreal there is a high number of cab drivers who do not signal ergo if you do not signal, you have acquired cab driver status. It is primordial that people signal to each whether they be biking or driving; accidents, especially fatal ones, can be avoided. It is very cliche, but communication is key.

Pedestrians
I have yet to see a responsible cab driver. In the case of pedestrians, I have seen very good ones and bad ones. A month ago, my friend was riding his BIXI and a pedestrian ran into him. Instead of asking if my friend was hurt, the older gentleman berrated him on the fact that it was HE who ran into him. Luckily for my friend, there were witnesses who defended his position . Let's face it, bad drivers, bad pedestrians, and bad bikers. What I am trying to accomplish here is to increase knowledge about Montreal biking. Pedestrians, you are more than welcome to jaywalk, and cut corners. Montreal is renowned for this. But please do it with a dose of common sense. If you cannot make it across the street, then don't try it. A lot of the times, I run into people because they are not looking where they are going or they are on a cell phone. If we take the time to look at where our body is, and to be aware of its limitations, and its existence in the universe, then we will be better off.

Non-"enlightened" bikers
I have another name for them, but because this is a school assignment, I had ot come up with a politically correct form of it. Let's get my thoughts off my chest first: Just because you have a credit card giving you access to the BIXI stations does not mean you have a license to drive it. the bike path is not a race path, and sorry, no, you shouldn't be biking in heels from Atwater to Frontenac. If it's from Atwater to Place-des-Arts, I will accept it, but it is at your own risk. And stop trying to race me. My 21-speed Olympia beauty outruns your 3-speed.

People love the new bike path despite complaints. Tune in next time when I talk about the importance of hand signals!

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