little bitty girl

One of my favourite things about Paris was how much people biked in the city. In many ways, it makes sense. Streets are so narrow and windy, biking seemed the perfect way to get around. I really loved the Velib, and wished fervently that Stefan and I actually had the guts to do it. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Velib is a free bike hire (for up to half an hour) situated in many of the main areas in Paris. It was an initiative to reduce smog and congestion within the city. Such a great idea!

I know I keep raving about how chic Parisians are but to me, it was never more so than seeing Parisians on their bikes. Men in full 3-piece suits, women in heels with their vintage Kelly bags...I couldn't help but swoon. For the past couple of years I had considered getting a bike. This trip made me see that I could still rock my style while riding.

About a month ago, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) threatened to go on strike (and they ended up striking for a weekend) and that's what solidified my decision. I bought my first bike in 18 years.

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Test driving the bike was a little embarrassing, after all I wasn't sure whether I even remembered how to do it. After a couple of wobbly turns, it all came back readily enough. It's true what they say, once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget.

I decided to name my bike "Emmaline" as a tribute to my Paris trip. I have no idea how I ever survived without her. Living in downtown Toronto, it's a great way to travel from one place to another. I feel a whole new sense of freedom (I've got wheels!) and often spend my bike rides home from work exploring small streets and neighborhoods within the city. Many wonder whether it's been a huge change biking in city traffic but I would say that it hasn't felt much different from city driving, other than the fact that I am in a much smaller vehicle.

The only two things I can really complain about biking so far are the pot holes and the ugly bike helmet. I must say I never noticed the various potholes in the city until I started biking. I've learnt really quickly to lift my bum when I hit a pot hole. The other thing is that there is no such thing as a cool bicycle helmet. All the ones I've encountered either look like a snowboarding helmet or the ventilated ones with the funny lift on the back. I have the one with the vents and I can never help but feel like I am wearing something where the back of it looks like a plastic chicken backside.

I try to counter the chicken ass-ness by wearing dresses, ballet flats, scarves and my giant Jackie O-ish Prada glasses. (Kelvin, my brother who is a very keen recreational biker and would never dream of not wearing proper biking gear laughs at the thought of me dressed like this on my bike). And for the short time when I am going through the tree lined neighborhoods in Toronto, I can pretend that I am really biking in the streets of Paris. I hope my love of Emmaline is the start of a life long affair.