Bicycles without Stabilizers

I cannot remember when I took my first steps but I remember the first time I rode my first bicycle without using stabilizers. My family lived at the bottom of a long sloping street that led to the sea. I pushed my bike to the top of this street as my father watched me from outside our house. I can still remember the feeling of excitement, fear and independence. Of course I had no words to describe these feelings back then, I was only four.

From that moment on I began to explore my surroundings and with this came  experiences.  I have since traveled by all manner of transport. Paradoxically, the further and faster I have been able to travel the more my world has contracted.

Now I can travel from London to Shanghai in approximately half a day.  When I was 5 or 6 I would cycle to the fish pier riding one of my first bicycles along side my older brother. It took us five minutes.

I think I traveled further during my childhood.

I have always liked bicycles. I like the way they look. Most children who learn to ride bicycles when they are young pretend that they are galloping horses or fast racing cars or battling chariots or anything their imagination allows them. This is before we learn to know better.

In many western countries we grow out of our bicycles, usually about the time we apply for our driving license.

For many adults in China the bicycle is not simply a means for exercising or for recreational means. It is intrinsic to life.

The first time I rode my bike without stabilizers I was frightened and excited. As I peddled that first time I knew that things would be different.

By Tommie Teasdale