Birthday Bikes

     Upon arriving in Goettingen, we quickly realized that about 95% of the people use bikes as their primary means of transportation.  Or at least it felt that way as we walked out of the train station that first day and saw a sea of bikes chained to any and everything chain-able. 

     Goettingen is a very safe city comparatively speaking - bike thefts make the front page.  So that helps with thinking about our country boys riding the city streets.  I will say, however, that there are a lot of rules of the road which we are quickly learning so that they really do stay safe, both for pedestrians and bikers.
     Within the first few days of miles and miles of walking (not an exaggeration as the boys and I got lost several times in the city center!), Tracy promised the boys bikes before too long.  What we ended up deciding to do was to purchase bikes as their birthday gifts.  Then when we resell them next summer, the boys get to pool the money and split it evenly to purchase souvenirs and gifts to take back home.  Tracy and I love the fact that our birthday shopping for them is all complete until next summer!  And then with skiing in the Alps over Christmas....that shopping is complete as well.  Makes this non-shopper of a mom very happy!

The boys are all smiles after arriving home with the new birthday bikes!

    

We do have about 8-10 steps into our flat, and since we don't have any outdoor areas, the bikes are all being stored in our entryway for now. Noah is not quite strong enough to get his up by himself, but thankfully Joj is willing to help. It won't take him long to be able to manhandle that thing alone, I'm sure!

One of the coolest things we have seen is what is called a Laufrad - meaning walk/run bike. Because bikes are so key to city life, kids are trained very early as to how to get around on them. I saw this little 3-year old at the park (pictured below) last weekend and was amazed at the balance. I enjoyed watching this particular child...totally "All Boy" - it had just rained so there were puddles all over the path. He'd gain speed leading up to a puddle, then pull his legs onto the middle section and fly through the water. I've also seen younger than this guy on them doing just fine. Then, once the kids are ready for a real bike, there is no need for cumbersome training wheels! An American told me they are available in the USA but are hard to find. I think they should be everywhere - it makes such better sense!