What people often do not realize is how dangerous it is to ride a bicycle anywhere. Unlike a car, a bicycle does not provide an exoskeleton to potentially be smashed before your body does. If you make contact your body, not your vehicle, is most likely going down.

I was hit by a car bicycling to work four years ago in Daytona. After realizing how dangerous it was for me to bike to work my grandfather insisted on me having a motorized vehicle. I was extremely grateful for his adamancy. Having a car made a significant difference in my life. Summer 2014, my little Nissan Altima was rear-ended in the rain on the highway by an overzealous driver, causing me to lose control of the car and ultimately end up deep in a ditch. That was the last time I saw her. I then proceeded to gain a new car through the donations of friends. In October this car was also totaled due to another accident caused by an other driver. Although the accident was ruled not my fault the other driver did not have insurance which caused extreme complications in addition to some oversights on my end. And so I am back on my bike in Daytona Beach attempt to finish up my bachelor’s degree, long overdue.

Biking in Daytona has helped me realize a few things:

1.     Cars really don't care if there's a puddle; they're in a hurry.

2.    Biking will not stop the catcalls.

3.    Raingear should always be apart of your daily supplies you triple check are on hand before you leave the house.

4.    Do not forget your keys!

5.    Always keep a spare inner tube and tire at your house.

6.    Everyone respects a biker who is purposeful. 

7.    WEAR YOUR HELMET!

8.    Bicycle paths' purpose is to be there, not to make any logical since on where "there" is leading.

9.    There are no bike racks anywhere.

10. You cannot transport your bicycle on greyhound unless it is in a box (useless if you rode your bike the station and need your bike at your destination)

11.  A bike can balance fairly well when slowly trudging through 6" of water.

12. The majority of my fellow bikers in Daytona do not seem to actually be going anywhere.

13. Always pack after bike snacks and water for class.

14. When it’s raining: make sure you are fully covered, including your bum for back splash.

15. Biking is not the end of the world.

This is only the beginning of a list of lessons I have needed to quickly learn. Yesterday after biking through a monsoon after feeling particularly abandoned by Florida's Department of Transportation Friday when I was unable to find any public transit home to Orlando to work and see my family, I decided someone needed to highlight the struggles of though dependent on their own physical ability due to Florida's Department of Transportations' lack of efficient change toward encouraging a healthier environment and motivation to help those who may not be able to afford a car. I am taking the time for this blog because my circumstances are temporary but there are many who will have these same challenges for years to come and Florida simply does not accommodate those without a vehicle. The new Sun Rail is the beginning of the change that needs to happen; however, there are smaller changes that can impact our communities and planet today as a much smaller cost, such as encouraging bicycling. I have actually attempted to use the Sun Rail and discovered it does not even run on the weekend! As a person who lives in Daytona and works in Orlando on the weekends, this is extremely problematic. Greyhound is my only option to travel between the cities and with Greyhound's limited schedule this option also causes grief. Two larger cities, separated unless you have a motorized vehicle.

Admittedly, this blog will not be a full representation of life without a motorized vehicle because I have friends who help me out when they can. I do hope that those who have a heart for the people who do not have the opportunity, time, or education to speak out as I do will be moved to take action, even if only bringing more awareness to the struggle of Surviving Florida on a Bicycle.