Two Wheels, Two Worlds

Back in my university days in Boone, North Carolina, my bike was my everything. It was my shortcut across campus, my budget-friendly ride to town, and my wind machine on those rare sunny afternoons between lectures.

Bike Park in Boone NC

But Boone had rules — strict ones. No helmet? That was a $50 ticket, thank you very much. I dutifully strapped mine on, straddled the seat, and pedaled away, feeling both rebellious and oddly bureaucratic at the same time. There was freedom in those rides, but also the lingering awareness of police cruisers eyeing for helmetless offenders.

Now, fast forward to my plans for Amsterdam. A city where bikes aren’t just transportation — they’re a way of life. Here, helmets are optional to the point of comedy. Wear one, and you’ll get the kind of side glance reserved for tourists who confuse the tram for a canal boat. It’s not unsafe — it’s just… different. The Dutch have been cycling for generations, and their balance, rhythm, and sheer confidence on two wheels is something to behold.

I imagine it now: the breeze pulling through my hair as I glide along a canal path, no strap digging into my chin, no fine looming in my imagination. Just me, my bike, and a city that hums in harmony with the sound of wheels on cobblestones.

From Boone’s helmets to Amsterdam’s freedom, the bike has always been my companion. And I can’t wait to live life again by the bike path — this time with the wind in my hair, and maybe a basket of fresh market tulips rattling up front.