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When I began cycling in the city, cars were a problem. Actually, cars were THE problem. I had my first near-death experience next to the Sisli Mosque, the first week I started riding. My death would've irked my parents to no end, having to travel to Istanbul and visit my grave in the grounds of the camii (Muslims bury their dead in the place they died).

I managed the car issue by learning the best times to ride, where to be when, and where to stay away from altogether. I've got a bajillion lights on my bike, and they are all bright enough that I only worry about the worst of drivers, these days.

Pedestrians presented the next obstacle. For whatever reason, I'm not deemed as serious a threat, by the Turkish pedestrian, as a car. In the opinion of any home-schooled physicist, I'm probably not. Still, I've been hit by a cyclist, and it sucks. The number one problem I've had with pedestrians, is that they step out in front of me within distances that my brakes cannot solve. I haven't hit anyone, yet, but I've come close. The deer-in-headlights effect that my squealing tires produces leaves me responsible for avoiding an accident. If it wouldn't hurt me too, I'd probably just roll on through them. Not injuries yet: so far, so good.

The latest threat on the road, as the economy turns people to more economic transport, is other bikes. Last night, lights flashing and obviously travelling quickly downhill, another biker pulled into my path.

I'm still not sure what to make of it.