Although I am a native New Yorker and will try most things here in the City - bicycling through it never crossed my mind. The traffic is heavy, both with cars and pedestrians - and it never stops. Then there is wild winter weather which seems to stop most bicyclist - but certainly not one of them. Enter Nicole.

Nicole gave up her red sports car many years ago for a bicycle. She travels regularly from Brooklyn to Manhattan; this means she crosses the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Williamsburg Bridge. She travels any time day or night, winter, spring, summer and fall, never falling off AND always fashionably attired.

Nicole will answer photo shoots, casting calls, stop at her design shop in the City, shop for everything, meet friends, and travel throughout the boroughs - whenever she feels like it.

What is so enjoyable about bicycling in New York City?

It was time to interview Nicole.

Interview With Nicole:

CG: First, which bridge do you prefer and why?

NM: I prefer the Brooklyn Bridge. The view is beautiful. On the right day, that’s a totally satisfying ride. But this is a pedestrian-heavy bridge so it’s sometimes very crowded. The Williamsburg Bridge is convenient because it is not a popular pedestrian bridge. It’s an easy bridge to get across quickly, but there are some really dangerous bumps that have caused a lot of accidents. I’ve met a few cyclists who’ve crashed. Luckily, I never did.

CG: Seriously, wouldn’t you have to be kind of athletic to do this?

NM: Uh, yup. But it’s possible to ride leisurely. The good thing about the Brooklyn Bridge is that there are benches along the way. You can stop and rest, enjoy the view, practice any number of languages with the throngs of tourists walking across.

CG: Do you really really enjoy this or do you just actively dislike mass transit like I do?

NM: Both. I love biking. I am as comfortable on my bike as I am on my feet. I prefer to bike whenever possible and I aim to make it possible as much as possible. Now, I do appreciate mass transit and I use it, sure. But I would rather bike.

CG: How long have you been biking through the city?

NM: Maybe three years.

CG: You have a very interesting looking bike - what kind is that?

NM: I like vintage bikes. This is my second. It’s a Triumph, one of the old English Roadsters. I’ve had a Schwinn and a Raleigh as well, all made in the 1970’s.

CG: Have you always been a bicyclist?

NM: Growing up my brothers and I biked a lot. I didn’t ride in college. I picked it up again after having owned three cars. I like the idea of biking in urban areas. And I love how biking makes my body and spirit feel. I also love the sheer independence of it and the fact that I am using only the fuel of my own body to make my way.

CG: What kind of bike do you prefer?

NM: I like cruisers. There are so many names; comfort, utility, city…bikes made for daily riding, running errands, going to work. They have baskets and on them the rider sits upright. I usually wear my bag across my body but I can put my coat, food, shopping bags, books, anything in my basket.

CG: I know you travel at night as well. Don’t the freaks come out at night? How do you handle the weird ones? I know there has to be incidents of men hitting on you.

NM: Funny you should ask. Yes, I’ve met a few freaks. People notice you more on a bicycle. Men have reached out to touch me. Mostly they just throw pick-up lines, or compliment my bike. In case of trouble I can get away fast, or just reach for the gun that I keep in my basket. No, I don’t condone shooting, but I just keep a stern face when I need to. A few men have told me that I must be strong to bike in the city so they know they’d better not mess with me. I guess they don’t see so many women commuter bikers so…but yeah, on a bus, train bicycle, on foot, on a plane, I guess we can’t avoid the freaks.

CG: There are more bike lanes in the city now. It is winter and I rarely see a bicyclist - yet inclement weather never stops you. What tips can you give a winter bicyclist?

NM: Actually, I hate the cold but I know how to ride in it, to a certain degree. New York City weather is unpredictable. But dressing in layers is really important. And I wear tall boots. I have learned the value of insulated gloves and wool hats. I’ll do light snow and rain but I don’t do sleet or strong winds. When NYC gets into real winter, I throw up my hands and grab a taxi or take the subway.

CG: Do you feel stronger, more energized after a ride?

NM: I do. I feel energized. I feel euphoric sometimes. If I don’t bike for awhile I start to feel like something is missing. It’s an active meditation for me as well as transport.

CG: Do you bike with friends or a club?

NM: No. My friends are scared or lazy (their own words) and well clubs, no.

CG: What is your favorite route?

NM: Brooklyn Bridge to Soho and up. Williamsburg Bridge to the East Village.

CG: Are there helmet laws in the city? Do you use a helmet?

NM: Huh? OK I am not proud of this nor do I condone it but I do not wear a helmet.

CG: I read the police are cracking down on bicyclist who ride on the sidewalk - do you know the penalties?

NM: I once got a ticket for what I call “sitting on the seat of my bicycle” as the chain barely made a complete rotation, while I was moving my bike from it’s parking space at the library. I was going down the sidewalk, maybe 3 feet, to cross into the street. A gung-ho cop yelled to me from down the street before I even finished crossing the sidewalk. I was flabbergasted. Yes, I got a ticket. It was later dismissed because the charge was so LUDICROUS maybe? But when I’m walking, I don’t appreciate cyclists in my way and there are many who are rude and who totally disregard pedestrians. New York City does need more bicycle paths and more respect for cycling as transportation.

CG: I know that you are spending some time overseas and opted to live in a bicycle city. Do you still ride a bicycle everywhere?

NM: Everywhere, everyday. Here it’s so easy. Most sidewalks and many streets have clearly marked bicycle lanes. My daily route just happens to be well over 50% traveled via a bicycle path, off the main road. There is a culture of commuter/utility biking. There is a beautiful riverside bicycle path here. I love it.

CG: Finally, I think a comparison would be nice. How does NYC rate compared with your overseas location?

NM: The two are incomparable. OK, I’ll give NYC credit for the riverside bicycle paths. I loved riding along the Hudson. And, I hear that the City is becoming more and more bicycle friendly. But here it is normal for people to bike. It’s normal for all ages to bike. A bicycle is as much an accepted means of transport as a car. Drivers and pedestrians are accustomed to large numbers of cyclists so I rarely feel contempt, as I did in NYC, for bikers. I hope that in this new economy people begin to realize the efficiency of cycling. As far as cycling in the West goes, I have so much love for European cities, especially in the Netherlands, where cycling is more the norm than not, where there are designated cycling lanes on the roads.

CG: I admit I found it kind of shocking that you can actually ride your bike 24/7, 365, and through the 4 seasons. And I admit I’d like to try it but maybe if I could use one of those big 3 wheel bikes with a basket and just through the neighborhood...or something…

Thanks, Nicole, for dropping by!