Bicycle Riding

As I have said before, public transportation is really big here. But also, riding bikes is very common. You see people on their bikes all the time on the streets and sidewalks.

My mom told me a few weeks ago that they have now made it a law that you can't ride your bike on the sidewalk because it is too overpopulated. I really agree because before that law, I was trying to ride my bike on the sidewalk to the mall- big mistake. I almost fell into a bush because there were so many people.

On the back of big bikes they have this thing that looks just like a car seat. They put their little kids in them and buckle them up. Also, on some bikes there is a car seat- like thing in the front on the handle bars. So three people can ride one bike. It's really cool.

Unlike in America, if you have a bike here and you live in an apartment or a condo you have to pay to park your bike. In front of our apartment complex there is a big parking lot for cars, and a long pavilion to put bikes under. You have to pay for a parking permit. The owner of the apartment complex gives you a sticker, which guarantees you a place to park your bike. This is because there are a lot of bikes, and not many places to park them.

There are people who's jobs are to patrol the bicycles. If you are parked in a public area too long, don't be surprised if you come out to find a ticket on your bicycle.