Biker Babe

This is a picture of my less than beautiful lilac “mama-chari” which I’ve named Perle (well, that’s the name on it anyway). A “mama-chari” is the most common type of bicycle around these parts. It’s a one-gear road bike with a basket. It feels pretty wobbly and I somehow managed to wrench it while trying to get it out of a bike rack so the handlebars are currently crooked. I’m sure the low tire pressure doesn’t help the ride either. I keep meaning to get them pumped up but I’m always in a bit of a rush. Even with these flaws, my lovely Perle is the envy of all the neighborhood kids due to its waterproof basket cover. It’s super handy as you never know when it’s going to start pouring. It also hides the fact that the bottom of the basket is rusting out.

I was scared to ride my bike for quite some time after I arrived. I’m not much of a bike rider as it is and the crazy traffic and busy sidewalks here were daunting. Bicyclists are supposed to ride on the sidewalk here, not the street, and there doesn’t seem to be any rules about what side of the sidewalk to use. Pedestrians are really bad about moving out of the way. You’re supposed to ding your bicycle bell notifying them you’re behind them but many times they’ll just ignore it. My favorite is when there is a group of people taking up a whole sidewalk and they’re staring right at you but don’t move. Of course, even if they do move, you never know if they’re going to go to the right or left.

Cars are another big biking hazard. Drivers are bad about looking to see if there’s a bike before pulling out of the narrow streets or turning. I’ve been told that drivers in Ishikawa are famous in other prefectures for their terrible driving. They might even be worse than Illinois drivers! My co-worker Patricia has been hit by a car on her bike three different times and had to go to the hospital once. Many other JETs have also been hit by cars. Helmets are definitely a good idea!

I’m getting more and more confident riding my bike though and am really glad to have it. It makes getting around town really convenient and I do love that covered basket! I often have the Wicked Witch tune going through my head as I zip around on my bike with the wind in my hair… um… did I just type that out loud?