"Its just like riding a bike"

FALSE.

Today was a national union strike across France (for another post) which meant not only that half my teachers were striking, but also public transportation. But, being the dedicated assistant I am, I told Simona that I could walk to school as long as the weather was nice.

Flash forward to a beautiful day and me cursing myself for making this promise. The last thing I want to do is go to school! So, I leave my house a little late and as Im dreading the long walk ahead of me, I see it in the distance... the blue bikes!

Just last year the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi (pictured trying out the bikes) installed around 50 stations of vélo bleu around Nice, available for public use at a very small fee. It's a great effort to stay green and allows people to use bikes for cheap rather than having to buy their own. Plus, the first 30 mins is free, but I signed up for a month of unlimited service for 10€. Good deal!

But then, as I selected a bike and pulled it out of the station I had an epiphany: First, I don't remember the last time I rode a bike and second: I don't know ANYTHING about riding a bike in the city!!! Do I ride on the sidewalk or on the road if there's no bike lane? I don't know. I managed to make it onto some roads less-traveled, but I was still rather nervous. Not to mention that I am trying to keep my purse on my arm and my schoolbag in the basket. As cute and stylish and French as this sounds, I'm mostly sure I looked like a moron. At one point I even heard sirens behind me and almost thought the police were going to pull me over and yell at me for doing it wrong.

I arrived safe and sound and the first station was full, so I had to find another one. My heart still pounding, I returned my bike to its station, and walked the last few meters to school thinking to myself that I should have planned that more. I will definitely pay more attention to bike lanes and riders before I decide to take one out again. Phew.