As bike to work week has come and passed, it will be intriguing to see how many citizens in the Bismarck-Mandan area stick with biking as their means of transportation.

If those bikers' experiences are as unpleasant as mine have been, due to rude motorists, biker numbers are unlikely to increase.

On May 7, I purchased a mountain bike from a Bismarck bike shop. Every day since then, I have ridden my bike back and forth across Bismarck to either work or a recreational activity, such as riding the bike trails behind Bismarck State College.

And every day I have encountered either shouts at me from a car passenger window; honks, accompanied by an offensive finger; or a combination of the two, with delightful, explicit statements being fired my way.Â

I have heard the saying that ignorance is bliss, but now I can understand that ignorance is also ironic.

The irony is in a motorist slowing down enough to ensure the reception of an offensive gesture, while I, the cyclist and gesture recipient, read, "Have a nice day," on the bumper of the departing vehicle.

It is my understanding that the sidewalk is for pedestrians; therefore, I travel on the right side of the road, that is, with the flow of traffic.

With the exception of going around vehicles parked on the street, I stay as close to the curb as possible.

I will continue to ride my bicycle in this manner.

In future commutes around the Bismarck-Mandan area, I will be sure to wear my T-shirt, which boldly states, "Biking for your inconvenience," strictly as an undergarment.