I have been living in New York for over 10 years now. At first, this city felt like the center of the world, and I felt an energy that anything was possible. However, one of the many dreams I had, which was to live in a 'bicycle-friendly city,' ultimately betrayed my expectations.

These days, Korea, especially Seoul, is a bicycle paradise. I was surprised when I returned after a long time. Not only are there bike paths along the Han River, but there are also dedicated bike lanes connecting the city center, and the public bike 'Ttareungi' can even be easily rented and returned via an app. The interconnected road system is so impressive that it feels like riding on a bicycle highway in the city. Especially the 'National Long-Distance Bicycle Route' is truly breathtaking. When I rode the course along the Bukhan River to Chuncheon, I wondered if this was really South Korea.

Recently, I had a chance to ride a bicycle during a business trip to LA, and I was surprised to see that there are now dedicated bike lanes everywhere there as well. In the past, there was a strong perception that LA was a city where you couldn't do anything without a car, but now I feel that urban design considering health and eco-friendliness is gradually becoming a reality. Naturally, I felt envious.

However, returning to my reality, Manhattan is still a 'difficult city' for cycling. Are there bike lanes? Of course, there are. But just because they 'exist' doesn't mean they are 'comfortable to ride on.' They have forcibly made one lane a bike lane, but it is constantly occupied by taxis and trucks, delivery motorcycles weave in and out, and the roads are bumpy. It's even more dangerous.

The situation is similar in Flushing and Queens. The area around Koreatown has narrow streets, and vehicles are always congested, making it impossible to even think about riding a bicycle. There are places marked as bike lanes, but in reality, parked cars often occupy those spaces.

Moreover, New York has one of the highest rates of bicycle theft in the world. The first time I lost my bicycle was near the Flushing Korean market, and the second time was right in front of my house. Since then, I have hesitated to buy a bicycle. Unlike Korea, there aren't well-maintained storage facilities or CCTV, and the CitiBike rented by the city is not always nearby, making it less practical. Additionally, it is said that the theft rate is high in the outer or less secure areas, to the extent that NYC officially mentioned "there were many thefts."

Although New York is considered the greatest city in the world, it still has a long way to go regarding bicycle infrastructure. I want to consider the environment and take care of my health, but right now, the conditions for cycling are too poor.

Still, I hope that one day, New York will become a bicycle-friendly city like Seoul. I wish for a day when I can enjoy the city's scenery leisurely while feeling the breeze, rather than riding as if it's a survival game on the road. Until that day... I will just ride carefully, occasionally.