My World of Bicycles

There are so many different ways of getting around. The most recent frontier is Space Tourism with the likes of Jeff Besos with Amazon and Branson with Virgin Atlantic. I prefer a much slower mode of transportation; the bicycle. This fuel efficient method of transportation has accompanied me in various ways over the years.

I have fond childhood memories of riding on the back of the tandem bicycle with my mother. My engineer father handily modified the two seated bicycle so that I could reach the pedals whilst sitting behind my mum. As a family, we explored Quebec, Vermont, and Maine during organized tandem rallies together with other double two wheel enthusiasts.

As a young adult living alone in Montreal, I learnt (the hard way) the importance of both a safe spot to store my bicycle and a using a hefty bike lock. Within hours of moving into my first apartment, my (t)rusty old bicycle was stolen- under my nose -from the lamppost right outside my window! Later that winter, I saw a slightly rustier version of my bike locked in front of the Blockbuster store a few streets over. Sadly, I did not have the heart to “steal” it back.

Back in the day, when I was dating online and meeting new prospects on blind dates, I devised a litmus test based on their reaction to my year round vélocipède lifestyle. The challenge went something like this: I proudly told my galant that I biked to work all year-round. In every season, in the sun, in the rain and even in the snow. During the winter months, I used an old bike, which I would spray for salt and rust. I went on to explain that I wore thin snow pants and an old ski jacket over my work clothes and I had special fingerless mittens to help with braking and gear changes. I always made sure to wear a helmet and the reflector vest my mum had gifted me. (It was important to be visible since drivers weren’t expecting to see cyclists on the road in the middle of a snowstorm.) I added that my route took me on main thoroughfares which were the first ones to be cleared from snow. I even calculated that my two wheels often got me to school faster than the bus and metro. (This was before studded tires and fat bikes were common for winter biking. ) After giving my lengthy biking-to-work year-round exposition, my date would respond in one of two ways. He would either look aghast and assure me that once we began dating they would pay for a taxi, or better yet, drive me to work every day. The opposite response went something like this: winter biking, that’s cool, tell me more about how you do it? Needless to say, my husband was part of the second category, and eight years later he also bikes to work Spring, Summer and Fall. I’m still working on the Winter biking part, Covid isn’t helping me.

Now that we have started a family, the types and kinds of bicycles we own are constantly evolving in order to adapt to the requirement of our changing lifestyle. Our eldest first learnt to balance and ride on the push bike, also known as balance bike or Strider. Then he graduated to a small 16” bike with pedals and foot brake. We quickly took off the training wheels and he was whizzing all around our gated community of Quinta Bella in Honduras. He’s now in 1st grade and uses a mountain bike with three gears and handbrakes to get around Ottawa. I have to pedal hard just to keep up with him!

In order to explore better the bike paths around our house in Ottawa-Gatineau, we invested in a second hand double Chariot (now Thule) trailer which can be attached to the back of an adult bike. This was great for longer rides when the children were young. The bike trailer easily converts into a walking stroller which comes in handy once we are at our destination (park, grocery store, market, playground.)There is also the “giraffe”, a seat with pedals which attaches to the adult seat post so that a medium sized child can bike behind while being pulled along by the adult. A similar concept is the ride-with-me, or the front handlebar baby seat. Unfortunately, we had an accident while B was sitting in rear the bike seat. The bike fell over which caused her to break her leg. This mishap brought us to look elsewhere for a safer solution.

Not long after that, a friend introduced me to the world of long tail, or cargo, bikes. This type of bicycle has an extra long rack behind the rider which can accommodate heavy loads or transport several children. This long tailed bike is easier to pull than a trailer and its nice to have the kids close so we can chat about the sights we see on the road. One of my favourite activities this summer was taking a trip to the local bakery; both kids perched behind me on the Yuba Mundo cargo bike, as we did our errands and filled the front carrier basket with fresh local produce. My friend has taken it to a whole new level: her daughter and a girlfriend ride behind on the electric cargo bike while her toddler age son is pulled along in the Thule trailer. We call it the bike-o-bus.

Riding with Celebrities

After getting my bike stolen in Montreal I was weary of getting a brand new one for a long time. After we moved to the Capital region I observed a whole new culture of biking. The locals had fancy speed bikes to climb up to the Belvedere in Gatineau park. Aficionados wore special gear to race each along the many bike paths in the area. I was intrigued and eventually purchased my own speed bike on sale at the end of the summer. I became hooked because I find that biking in the forest, on a well maintained bike path, and away from traffic and cars, was not only good exercise but also helped my mental health.

This city in the Netherlands takes it one step further by giving special priority to bike lanes.

On a trip back to the city of Montreal we were eager to try the new Bixi bike share program. A couple dollars gave me access to a bike, which I could return at a different bike stand near my destination. Riding a Bixi down a reserved bike lane with a cup of latte in one hand; is such a nice way to visit the Plateau and blend in with the hipsters. In Mexico City, we observed the food delivery apps such as Uber eats and GoodFood used bike couriers to get their meals to their clients faster. It is no secret that delivery bikes are easier for couriers to maneuver and park on the side streets.

Since the pandemic has restricted bus, train, and air travel; bikes have become the new hot commodity. This summer there were long waitlists and even bidding wars for mid and high range bicycles. Everyone seems to be on the bike path these days. It’s a great way to explore your neighbourhood. Recently, our son asked us to bring him bicycle camping. I am afraid that it would take a lot of smart packing and organization in order to successfully merge his two favourite activities camping and biking. Maybe we will take on the challenge, in a few years time.

As a university student, I always dreamed of buying a sky blue Vespa scooter to travel from my apartment to my classes, like in the movies. However, when I did eventually have the funds to purchase my own vehicle, I chose to keep my bike. I reasoned that the scooter did not offer much advantage on the road, nor in winter, or on the highways -especially in a city with a good public transportation system such as Montreal. During one of our summer escapades, we rode by a middle aged couple looking at the view, sitting beside their e-bikes while they smoked their e-cigarettes. My personal choice notwithstanding, electric bikes and scooters can encourage certain people with physical limitations to get into the sport. Or maybe you will explore your neighbourhood in a new way, like this guy in Melbourne, or this man in Bolivia. How do you like to ride?