I rode New York's brand new bike share! There was a light rain, but I went anyway, in t-shirt and blue jeans. Hooray for wool t-shirts.

So, compared to my, small, nimble Brompton, the bike share bike was like riding a Sherman tank in first gear. It's big and heavy, the SUV of bikes, pootles along despite spinning like the Road Runner, and maneuvers like an albatross. I couldn't jump in and out of traffic like I can on my bike; I'll have to re-strategize some spots. I don't think this will be my regular commuter. On the plus side, their bike got wet, not mine, and I didn't have to haul mine down four flights of stairs. If hypothetically it's pouring tonight, I won't have to ride home if I don't want to. Their software still has glitches.

Nevertheless, I'm still totally excited by bike share. First, I owe it a lot. I was totally intrigued by the concept when they announced it last spring. Learning about bikes led me to folding bikes, and I lucked into a used Brompton, which is now my main means of transport. Just the idea of bike share changed my life. I still think my membership will be useful; there are enough times when having my own bike in tow is inconvenient. Most days I'll be on my Brompton though.