I've never been afraid of any place I've lived like I'm scared of Gainesville. Every time I am on the streets, I keep my guard up and my senses sharp, wary of an unstoppable monster striking me down in the prime of my life.
Bicycles are an excellent way to get around town. Besides the obvious benefits - exercise and the limited environmental impact - it also allows one to sidestep the massive headache that comes with on-campus parking.
However, I do have one problem with the Gainesville bicycle community: It doesn't seem to understand that it doesn't belong on the sidewalk. Bikers would rather I dodge them racing through Turlington Plaza to cut off 100 yards of their commutes.
The answer to this dilemma: There is strength in numbers. It's daunting to point your handlebars into a stream of traffic and swim among the big fish when you are alone. But imagine if everyone perched on the saddle of a two-legged horse ventured into the streets. Why, it would be a revolution! It would be the cars that would have to adapt. After all, they can't hit everyone.
This is a call to arms - or gears. With a little perseverance and determination, we can turn this vehicle-dominated college town into the eastern Beijing, a place where the bicycle is free, the car is second-class and where pedestrians are able to amble without fear of bodily harm.
