Driving started out hard for me. Frankly, I was scared. Here I was, awkward, clumsy, and in command of a vehicle that could hit 75mph with the A/C off. Here I was, participating in the very act most likely to kill a 16-year-old. A miscalculation, flick of the wrist, or error of another driver could result in my death or the death of others. It took me many years to gain confidence in my driving abilities. I never understood how my classmates could hop behind the wheel, peel out, and hit 60 without even really looking at the road.

I love riding my bike in the city. It's so visceral. My control over the vehicle is absolute. I can see everything around me, and move in and out of traffic smoothly and naturally. One of the things I like about it is the unobstructed visibility. I don't miss a detail.

I've noticed a growing trend I call the "SUV mentality." It's not always SUV drivers guilty of this, but it usually is. These drivers don't want to be on the road; they want to be at home. They seem to think they are at home. When these drivers buy a car, they want to be encased in steel, surrounded by airbags. They have soundproof walls, and speakers to bathe them in music. They have cameras rather than mirrors. There is a bell that rings if they are backing into something. There's voice on the navigation system that tells them when to turn. There's always the phone, allowing their thought processes to be be interrupted by someone not even in the car. And worst of all, they have horrible visibility.

It amazes me that someone can thoughtlessly step into a vehicle, pretend they are on the couch, and not be present on the road.

Here's the secret: for most people, driving sucks. It's monotonous, boring and aggravating. Luckily, the bike offers something better.