The wife and I rode to work for the first time today. Yes, we are now the people who fall under the demographic of Sec A+, 18-30, M/F, double income group, who live in a rented flat but own a two-wheeler. With help from the parents, we got ourselves a Honda Activa – a highly recommended and popular choice for young urban couples.
I thought I would enjoy the ride to work and back but today’s ride was a nerve-wracking experience. Before this, my only riding experience in Mumbai city has been on bicycles. I’ve ridden the Activa before but that was only a short distance, that too between Ulhasnagar and Ambarnath.
To begin with, I am not used to the idea of the big helmet. This heavy object feels like it will take my head and roll away. It also constricts your vision considerably. But what is a little discomfort if it saves your head from becoming a cracked watermelon?
I realized that I was being ultra-super-aware of everything around me. I was constantly monitoring both rear-view mirrors, keeping an eye on the speedometer, looking at the road to avoid potholes and looking at the closest vehicle up ahead trying to keep a safe distance from it.
My back would constantly heave from the bounce of the new purring machine under me. My shoulders would pass on their stiffness to my arms causing me to stretch them every few kilometers. My eyes began to hurt from the extra focus.
All my nerves felt like they belonged to a bomb-squad personnel who was wondering whether to cut the red wire or the blue wire. I was making crucial decisions at every step. Do I overtake this bus or do I just follow it? Do I take this bridge or not? Taking the aisle between cars and the wall of the bridge was the scariest part of today’s journey. All the time I eked out of the narrow space tackling rear-view mirror hi-fives, I kept thinking, “what if one of the cars decided to swerve left and nudged us off the bridge?” It is a terrifying thought. It is still alright if you are a solo rider but you feel doubly responsible with family riding pillion.
Riding back home was comparatively funner. Mostly because the cold December wind is pleasant and there was no sun. We left work late and found less traffic. I even sang aloud to myself. I don’t know if the wife heard me though.
I am going to miss the lack of focus I could afford while travelling in a cab but I think I can get used to this.
I also learnt a few things today.
Jaywalkers will only understand what they are doing wrong when they become motorists themselves. I almost told a guy to use the footpath today. You suddenly feel like you own the road you are riding on and anyone coming between you and your road is a ‘stupid idiot who doesn’t know where he is going’. What an interesting turn of events for someone who has been a jaywalking pedestrian all this while!
Being a cyclist, I know not to rush cyclists if they hold me up. If I wait a few seconds, I can overtake them easily without bothering them. I’ve also decided to not honk until it is highly necessary.
I plan to be a good motorist, someone who waits for the lights to turn green before zooming away and someone who stops before the zebra crossing. I got told off by a biker already for doing that already. He said, “Tu jaao nakos…mala tari javoo de!” (You don’t go, at least let me go).
We ride between Chembur and Parel (Elphinstone also). Is there something we should watch out for? Something I should do or not do? Tips welcome.
