Elly Blue drives so infrequently she doesn’t know what a gallon of gas costs.

“I don’t ride my bike past any gas stations,” said Blue.

Candace Severson has always wanted to ride her bike to work, but she likes the comforts of her car, especially when it’s cold.

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“I do love my seat heat and I love the radio,” said Severson.

But for one day this month, the two Portland women traded in their usual modes of transportation to see how the ‘other half’ gets around.

Elly Blue volunteered to drive from her southeast Portland home office to Powell’s Books on West Burnside. Driving through downtown was no easy request.

“I’m always scared when I’m in a car that I’m going to hit someone and I’m never scared of that on my bike,” said Blue.

KTVB file photo

Bikers and motorists sharing the road.

Candace Severson exchanged her car keys for a helmet and a bike supplied by Portland’s Office of Transportation.

City Transportation expert Greg Raisman agreed to ride his bike with Severson. Before heading out he gave her tips on hand signals and bike lane laws.

“I don’t know if I’m coordinated yet to signal and ride my bike,” said Severson.

With her hands tightly on the steering wheel at the ‘10 and 2’ position, Elly Blue drove across town on streets she normally does not take on her bike.

“Oh my God,” Blue said while driving downtown, “Did you get that on film? That guys was texting while driving!”

Blue noted how easy it was to drive at speeds she wouldn’t consider safe on a bike.

“I’ve gone 30 on my bike once or twice before and it does not feel slow like this,” said Blue.

Her biggest worry about driving to Powell’s was finding parking in the congested Pearl District. But as she started looking for a spot, one opened up right in front of the store.

“I can’t believe we’re getting parking this easily, the parking God are with us,” said Blue.

Backing into the spot was not as easy. It took Blue a couple of attempts.

“If I was sitting here on a bike blocking traffic someone would be honking at me,” said Blue.

Candace Severson said she was surprised by what she learned on the bike.

“It’s not as scary as I thought. It’s not as difficult. Cars have been really friendly,” said Severson.

Severson said her first ride home from work won’t be her last.

“If it’s raining, I might not be quite as inclined,” said Severson, “But I certainly would venture to say you’ll see me in the summer time riding my bike.”

Elly Blue, the driver-for-a-day, won’t be car shopping anytime soon.

“This definitely is not going to convince me to drive anymore,” said Blue.

She thought driving took longer than riding her bike and she said her legs got “antsy” while sitting in the car.

“It was also very scary,” said Blue, “I felt I had a lot of responsibility to watch out for the other people especially bicyclists who I felt I couldn’t see very well.”