Since I began cycling in November 2011 there are things I have come to appreciate about cycling in this motor-crazy city, even though the city plans do not appear geared towards accommodating cycling:
1. The brave Black Mamba cyclists who wear neither helmet nor reflective gear.
2. The polite truck drivers on Ngong Road who hoot gently. #iCanHearYou 🙂
3. The awesome footbridge with a rump on Mbagathi Way. Pangani-Ngara area will need one or three of these.
4. The pedestrians who give way on the pavement.. You don’t need a bell, they just part and let you through. Ahsante {:)
5. No road rage from motorists towards cyclists.
6. The conscientious lady drivers. Special thanks to the Vitz girls, they know what it’s like being bullied on the road.
7. The industrious corner cycle repair guys in the Nairobi neighbourhoods.
8. The readily available second-hand quality bikes.
9. The friendly and supportive news-stand guys, security guards, shoe shiners and taxi rank guys.
10. The fact that in Nairobi, traffic light rules don’t apply to cyclists. Yay!
11. The creatively pimped out Black Mambas across the country.
12. The malls and buildings that accommodate bike parking.
13. The supermarkets that readily pack your groceries in a small box to go on the rear carrier.
14. The fact that the city has a bicycle parking.
15. Weekend cycling in a pack with supportive cycle-pals.
16. The downhill rides in the traffic-free suburbs on Saturday morning.
17. The adjustable strap messenger style cross-body purse or handbag (no back pack for this stylish girl-cyclist).
18. Slim trousers and skinny jeans for stylish cycling in Nairobi.
19. The wide well paved pavement on Mbagathi Way that can accommodate, cyclists and pedestrians.
20. The gaps in the pavement blocks on Ngong Road that allow rain water to drain (no Splashing) and cyclists to avoid road hogs.
21. Clean city public toilets for freshening up before a meeting in the Central Business District.
22. A cosy nook for my bike under the stairs. No parking woes in my building.
SheLovesNairobiCycling
Happy Nairobi Cycling!! ❤ Nairobi! ❤Cycling!
Nairobi in February 2012. Clear blue skies. Taken from KICC building in the CBD.
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This post celebrates love for Nairobi from a cyclist’s point of view in this season of love. LoveNairobi. ❤Nairobi.
Tips for our city fathers:
Ten lessons from the great cycling cities.
http://daily.sightline.org/2012/01/23/two-wheels-and-high-heels/
birthepaul
shecyclesnairobi
shecyclesnairobi 