The bike lane. I’m sure you’ve heard some disgruntled pedestrian rambling on and on about how wild bikers are, how the bikers have no respect for humble walkers, et cetera, et cetera.

Well, it is no stroll in the park to be in the bike lane, either. Once you have your bike and are on your merry way, there is still the risk of being the slowest one there. You’ve made it to the big leagues, but you’re still second (or maybe even third or fourth) string. If you feel this describes you accurately, you’ve probably experienced the following:

1. Not making the stoplight that is 50-or-so feet ahead.

I'm going to make it! The walk sign is still on! Oh no...10, nine, eight...two, one...shoot. Brake. Maybe next time. Or, more likely, not next time. It is incredibly disheartening to see a crowd of bikers kick it into high gear to make it across the road before the light changes. Honestly, where did that kick come from? They must be taking some pre-workout electrolytes for that extra boost.

2. Having the living daylights scared out of you as some Tour-de-France-type zooms by.

You're used to people passing you, considering the speed you are going. But, there will always be those moments that catch you off guard and leave your heart racing and adrenaline pumping as that one speedy biker comes flying by, five inches away from you, without any sort of verbal warning. They were coming so fast you didn't even have time to mentally prepare. Exhale and carry on.

3. Being frustrated by the fact that you are constantly losing.

You start off, essentially, in first place when you leave from your parking spot. Then that kid from biology comes up from the right. You lose a few places at the stoplight, that one you didn't make, when it takes a while to get back up to cruising speed. Oh, there's the girl from your class who is always in her seat before you (now you know why). Shoot. Goodbye, gold medal. How about a participation ribbon?

4. Having to leave for class significantly earlier than other bike-wielding classmates.

Biking allows you to leave five minutes before class starts and still make it to your seat with a minute to spare, right? Maybe for the general public. Not for you. Remember all those stoplights you hit along the way? They tack on time real fast.

5. Feeling as though you are a nuisance to other, more advanced bikers on the road.

You are crammed as far to the right side of the bike lane as possible because everyone keeps passing you, and you don't want to be in their way (both for the risk of being trampled and also to be polite). You feel self-conscious when you are the hold-up after a stoplight turns green and it takes a bit to get up and moving again. You may feel the need to apologize, frequently, for being more or less a road block. Just remember, you belong in the bike lane just as much as everyone else does!

6. Feeling like an absolute stud when you pass that single person who is slower than you are.

There's a chain of emotions that flows through your mind when you encounter that one biker on campus who is actually riding at a slower pace than you are. First, there is determination. I can get them. Yes, I can. Get to their left and just pass them. Then, there is a little bit of panic, when you are directly parallel to them. Shoot, can I really do it? Can I actually pass them? Will I be stuck biking right next to them for the remainder of my trip? Next, more determination, stemming from thoughts of that uncomfortable scenario. Surprise comes after, once the pass is executed. I really did it! Finally, a smug satisfaction. Yeah, I passed someone. I am not the slowest biker on the road. Look out, Minnesota, there's a new champ on the rise.

All in all, living the life of a slow biker is hard. I have certainly experienced each one of these situations, at least once a week (except maybe the last one). But hey, it's better than being a lowly pedestrian.