Smooth

Newly paved Park Drive in the West Fens, at the intersection with Agassiz Road.

If you are a driver, have you been on the freshly paved section of the Mass. Pike? No question about it, pretty nice, right? Who wouldn't prefer going over a smooth road than one of the many moonscapes that dot the city ( e.g., Cambridge Street in Allston, adjacent to Doubletree Suites at Storrow Drive)?

I remember when I was a driver coming upon a deliciously smooth stretch of road. I would sigh with relief and relax my vigilance over axle-breaking potholes.

Unfortunately, the only way wheelchair users can get that experience is to take our vehicles onto the roadways. Right now, the best wheelchair pathway in my neighborhood is a length of Park Drive, from Boylston Street to Kilmarnock Street in the Fenway.

Peterborough St., having been paved last year or the year before, is also a good one: smooth, wide and one-way. It seems safe enough for wheelchairs, or no more dangerous than for those other wheels (bikes, roller blades, and skateboards) out there on the road.

Anyway, back to Park Drive. This road gets so little traffic that I feel safe getting out there and going full speed, especially when I can go against the one-way traffic.

When I figure out how to, I will post a video of me riding up Park Drive from the perspective of a camera on my lap tray.

My dream is to have a "Wheel Equality Day," where wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, roller blades, strollers, skateboards, bicycles, and any other wheeled conveyances get Park Drive to ourselves for an afternoon and evening. Just maybenot all at once.