SHORT #33: Reasons to Bicycle Instead of...

Although there are many practical reasons to ride a bike, whether it be for physical or mental health, environmental benefits, or the economic savings, not a lot is said about the pure elation. Joy is a good reason, and an especially alluring one when bicycles are afforded a safe route, near nature, without needing to worry about the threat of much larger, faster, heavier objects.

In the right context, there are so many moments while riding a bicycle, that make me smile really big smiles. These moments, more than anything else, are the moments that make me want to ride.

In that spirit, these two new illustrations feature two — of the many countless — reasons why I enjoy a daily commute on bicycle here in Daejeon Metropolitan City, far more than [insert other transportation mechanism].

Now, with my hair being what it is — perhaps there are some places of slight thinning — I think the phrase ‘feeling the wind across your bare scalp’ might be more appropriate.

But hey, this is ‘the possible city.’ Anything is possible.

Such a sighting, of Heron in cities seems more common than ever these days. This is especially so along the slowly-but-surely-regenerating Daejeoncheon, the river where most of our commute between home and the studio takes place. This river used to be home to a small freeway and parking lots. Now it hosts cycling and walking paths, and small wetland areas with populations of ducks, heron, otters, and a good number of fish.

Although the water quality still suffers on occasion, and speeding motor vehicles still bast by frightened flocks of birds in some places, there are pockets of progress.

I do, for instance, see both people and heron fishing here on a regular basis. In the past two weeks, I witnessed two fish catches. Both were by Heron. They seem to be better at fishing than people.

There are many many more reasons to ride a bicycle. What are your favorite reasons or pleasures?

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