My favorite mode of transportation in Argentina has been riding bicycles. I love how I feel great and get to be active. Riding a bike also helps me engage more with my surroundings and notice things I might have missed if I were sitting on a bus or underground on the subway. The best part is that when I see something interesting that I want to look at more, I just stop my bike and look around. I’m in total control of my exploration. It’s not something I do every day, but it’s a great way to explore new places.
In Buenos Aires, I have ridden a bike through the Reserva Ecológica (Ecological Reserve) in Puerto Madero several times. When I was in Patagonia, I explored El Calafate and the shores of Lago Argentino (Lake Argentina) on a bicycle. And finally, when I was in Mendoza, some friends and I did a bike tour of the vineyards in Maipú to see how grapes are grown and harvested. It was scary at first because in many places you need to ride with traffic, and the trucks and cars passing me on a bike were intimidating! However, I learned to get used to it, and my bike tours have been some of my most fun experiences.
In Buenos Aires, there is a free bike-share program called Ecobici that anyone can sign up for. There are stations all over the city where you can collect and leave bikes. Even tourists can sign up for the program! As a public health student, this program makes me so happy because it encourages people to be healthier, and this system is good for the environment, too.
