Remember biking as a kid? My childhood memories are pretty foggy, but I still remember riding around my cul-de-sac for the first time, the independence that came with being able to bike to a friend’s house, and that feeling of flying down a hill with the wind in your hair.

Pretty romantic stuff, right?

While biking in Boston isn’t all warm and fuzzy, it definitely has its perks. I became a bike commuter just over a week ago, so I’m still learning how cycling in a city works. For those of you debating becoming bike commuters, and for those who don’t understand why anyone would ever want to take on the hazards of rush hour on a two-wheeled steel frame, I’ve evaluated the pros and cons of biking in the city with the help of some of Boston’s bike experts.

The Pros

Healthy
It goes without saying that biking is a healthier way to get around than, say, taking the T or driving. Instead of getting sardined into a cramped train car, you get a workout in during your morning commute. That way you don’t have to designate time outside of work to exercise. Or you can more easily justify that second post-lunch latte.

Green
You guys have probably heard by now that our planet is undergoing some sort of climate change situation. Biking, rather than opting for a fossil fuel-filled car ride, is a more sustainable way to move around the city. People have already adopted simple alternatives like recycling and buying re-usable water bottles. Biking is another easy change to make.

Faster
Boston has a reputation for being a very walkable city thanks to its narrow, compact street network. “In many ways, biking’s the fastest way to get around town. It’s a flat city and it’s a very dense city,” Nicole Freedman, director of the Boston Bikes program, told BostInno. Biking gives you control over your transportation. So instead of waiting endlessly for the green line, you can leave when you want to and ride at your own pace.

Scenic
When you pit riding along the Charles River against traveling underground in an overpacked train car, there’s not much competition. I think that, given the choice, everyone would choose the beauty of the outdoors over the T. “Biking to work is its own kind of thing. For me, it makes my commute very pleasant most of the time. It’s definitely led me to appreciate the way I move around the city a lot more than I would if I were trapped in a box,” said local bike activist/celebrity Greg Hum, who’s been biking in Boston for six years.

Cheaper
I’m not under the illusion that bikes are cheap, but if you have the patience for Craigslist and other such sites you can definitely find decent bikes for reasonable prices. You’ll have to invest in things like a lock, helmet, lights, and maybe a simple set of tools, but just remember that it’s a one-time expenditure. You’ll never have to pay for a parking spot or a monthly pass again.

The Cons

Dangerous
Biking in Boston has become a lot safer in recent years thanks to the efforts of Boston Bikes, but it’s still hazardous. There’s a bike lane network to some extent — and far more in the works — but unless you’re comfortable getting up close and personal with cars, it can be a little nerve-wracking in high-traffic areas. “We’ve put out a lot of surveys, and it really comes down to having welcoming levels of infrastructure. A lot of it is just getting people to try it,” said Freedman.

Sweaty
“Real estate and property owners need to make it possible to have access to showers.” said Hubway General Manager Emily Stapleton. “People carry backpacks and the summer in Boston is super hot.” If you’re carrying a backpack and/or moving at a pace faster than that of a snail, you’re likely to get sweaty. And if you’re a safe biker, you’ll get helmet hair. Coworkers may not appreciate it when you show up to work in such a state.

Not leisurely
While you can bike to work at a leisurely pace, you won’t be able to casually sip a cup of coffee, read the paper, or catch up on emails. But then again, relaxing T rides only exist if you can get past crying babies, blaring music, and a lack of personal space.

What have we missed? Shout them out in the comments section below.