VOICES
by Laurel Borisenko
I am a bicycle commuter. I just came out of Save On Foods after buying a few groceries on my way home from work. I was getting on my bicycle, bemoaning the fact that I would have to ride down 109th Street when I looked ahead and saw about 30 bikes turning left from Jasper Avenue onto the street, taking up all lanes. Instinctively, I felt like a lone Canada Goose that sees its flock ahead. I pedalled madly to join them, actually shouting "My flock! My flock!" They all cheered my arrival and rang their bicycle bells. I had no idea what this was all about, but suddenly I was riding my bike down the middle of 109th Street, and for once I felt safe. Without knowing what was going on, I rode with them, ringing my bike bell, waving to people and cars going the other way, with this silly grin on my face. Just for a while I didn’t have to worry about getting side-swiped or sworn at just for being on the road. I belonged.
Eventually I did ask another flock member who they were and what was going on. Some of them were dressed up, others had signs that said "thank you for not killing me" and they were chanting things about saving the planet. There were mothers with children, mostly young people. "We are the ‘Critical Mass’; we do this ride the last Friday of the month as an ‘organized coincidence’ to promote a better attitude towards cyclists and an environmentally friendly way to get around."
This explanation takes us to the High Level Bridge. We split up and ride on both sides of the divide. I have never ridden my bike on this road. Suddenly I, the newcomer, find myself at the head of the pack, still ringing my bell, shouting slogans, and waving to pedestrians. I exult in the experience of taking over busy streets; I gloat! "God, I love civil disobedience!" I think to myself, "and in this province, the more the better!"
The flock accompanies me most of my way home, but eventually I have to turn off. Let me tell you what I unpack from the back of my bike when I get home. I unpack all the reasons that people don’t ride their bikes to work. The groceries I have already mentioned. I also have my purse, a dress jacket I wear to work, and some papers I have brought home with me. I went to meetings downtown without having to find or pay for a parking spot, and I have had my exercise without having to pay for a gym. To the Critical Mass, all I can say is "Hasta la Victoria Siempre!": Quack, Quack.