The Bicycle Pedal

I waddled past the open garden gate and followed the park path to where a blue bicycle leaned against the fence. Its lower pedal hovered just a few inches above the asphalt, fitted with stiff rubber treads. I planted one foot onto the ribbed surface to test the grip, then brought my other foot up and shifted my full weight onto the platform. The crank yielded smoothly, clicking through a quiet ratchet sound as it swung downward in a slow, steady arc. I kept my balance level until the pedal bottomed out just above the curb, leaving me perched on the lowered tread to watch the afternoon shadows lengthen across the spokes.