A Paris cycling adventure

Pass the motorbike

You dart to the right, using the gap in the row of parked cars as an impromptu passing lane. Then, with a great POP you fly head over handlebars and before you can figure out what happened, you’re sitting, dazed, on the cobblestones.

There are bits of glass all around. But you didn’t break any windows — the cars on either side of you look intact. There’s a dent in a rear bumper and your bike’s front wheel is bent out of shape. The broken glass is from a beer bottle, you can see that now.

People on the sidewalk keep going about their business, not breaking stride. Motorbikes and bicycles keep zipping past you on the road.

A taxi noses in towards you and taps out a couple decisive honks. He wants this spot. Get out of the way, please.

Fin

Start again?

Sam Nabi