Ditch the car! 5 reasons why bike dates are the best and cutest
(And 3 tips to do it safely so you don't die)
Driving is so 20th century. Dealing with traffic, parking, overpriced Ubers that never show up… Honestly, we are over it.
There are many reasons you should hop on bikes for your next date. Here are five:
1 - It’s either going to go really well, or really badly
At the end of a bike date, you’re either going to be in love, or absolutely hate the other person’s guts. There’s no in-between. It’s either going to be a whimsical, magical, joyful experience, or the date from hell.
This is a good thing, actually. Because who needs so-so, wishy-washy dates? “We got coffee, it was OK.”
Whether it’s a first date, or during the getting-to-know-you phase, a bike date will help you determine: Do I actually like this person?
Because…
2 - You can learn a lot about a person from the way they ride
There are basically two types of cyclists: The Boy Scout, who always wears their helmet, stops at every stop sign, and signals every turn (with the correct bent-arm right turn signal!!). Then there is the Rebel Without a Cause, who believes that “rules are for cars” and red lights are just a suggestion.
Can a Scout cyclist and a Rebel cyclist ride together? It may be tricky. Can they date, get married, start a family, live happily ever after? We don’t know. Do tell if you have experience with this.
3 - Biking is a good way to get high – without drugs or alcohol
Dating is awkward, and so we often turn to something to take the edge off – a beer, a cocktail, a trunk full of two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
But is all that really necessary? What if you could get that same high from your transportation method?
Sure, a jogging date could work, or a date at the gym, but with a cycling date, you can get some good body vibes going WHILST also going somewhere, like a bar or restaurant.
4 - Near-death experiences are a good way to bond
Almost got hit by a truck? Cool, now smooch! Hit a crack and wiped out? Get up, dust off, and get a kiss on your booboo! Got yelled at by an insane motorist? Yell back, and then vibe in the warm glow of cycling smugness!
A bike date can be a bit dangerous, yes, and that’s part of the charm. Assuming you survive the mean streets, odds are you are going to be a lot closer by the end. (Or hate each other. See #1).
5 - You can assess your date’s… er… stamina
If someone can’t be arsed to get off their bum and go for a little bike ride, is that someone you really want to be with? And if they crap out after 5 minutes on the bike, well, that tells you something about their overall fitness level, doesn’t it?
BONUS REASON:
6 - BIKING IS FUCKING MAGICAL AND YOU’LL FEEL A SENSE OF JOY AND FREEDOM YOU HAVEN’T FELT SINCE YOU WERE SEVEN, RIDING YOUR BIKE THROUGH THE PARK WITH THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR AND POPSICLES LATER
How to have a safe bike date:
1 - It’s all about the route
A safety tip espoused by the very helpful and aptly named website, How to Not Get Hit By Cars, is: Avoid busy streets.
Most likely, you will want to plan a route that avoids big, fast roads, and sticks to quieter residential streets. You probably don’t want to bike the same routes that you normally drive. As the site says,
“You'll find that in many cities, you can travel through neighborhoods to get to most places, only crossing the busiest streets rather than traveling on them.”
If you’re not super confident on the bike, consider taking it slow, rolling through a park, or on a boardwalk, before you hit the mean streets.
2 - Make sure your bike is in working order
Before you go, do a quick check of your whip. Are the tires inflated? Do the brakes work? Is the chain super rusted? Is the seat firmly attached?
If you need a tune-up, see if there is a local bike co-op you can visit. You can also learn a lot of basic bike maintenance on youtube.
3 - Lights, helmet, etc.
If you are riding at night, you probably want lights. Not so much to illuminate your path, but so drivers can see you!
Helmets are not a bad thing, and you may want to equip those as well, depending on how far/fast you plan on going.
Now get out there and ride, you beautiful people, you!
