Southbound Beechfield Ave, Left onto Wilkens Ave, Right onto Haverhill Road, Right onto Benson Ave, Left onto Joh Ave. Wide street, 4 lane avenue, one-way street, and 2-way streets respectively. Oh, the potholes.
Part-time UPS employee/Part-time college student. Right now I'm riding a $200 mountain bike in need of many repairs; I am looking for a commuter bike for around $300-$400.
I was amazed how responsive motorists could be if given the proper signals: I stopped at a red light (straight only) and pulled up next to the curb to comfortably put my foot down. When a car started to approach the space next to me, a simple and polite wave of the hand was all that was needed for the other car to leave me a carspace to be in. I thoroughly enjoy out-accelerating cars at stops. :) Mountain bike tires are great for snow street riding, the grip is better than most car tires and the traffic is easier to keep up with. Motorists have asked at stop lights, "Aren't you cold?" to which I reply, "No, I'm wearing gloves." and wave my waterproof winter gloves at them. I've also unhooked my headlight and waved it at motorists with their lights off in a snowstorm, in lieu of flicking high-beams at them.
I've always had a bike, and used it in high school to commute to work and school. I continue to do so in college and beyond. It's a great way to get and get to a job before turning 16. Even when driving a car, you are at real risk from other motorists: I was rear-ended in July of 2004 because I was able to stop to avoid a road hazard but the person following me had neither the space nor the attention to do so. Luckily, no one was seriously injured and not having a car for nearly 6 months led to me using my bike much more. On a car note, Jeep Cherokees are great and it is aweful that Jeep stopped making them. My Jeep was able to drive home with a bent frame, while the VW that hit me destroyed its engine and had to be winched onto a towtruck. Looking for a cheap pair of shoes for biking? Try LL Bean's 'Comfort Mocs'. No laces, water resistant, $30. I like them.