In this series we stop people along the bike lanes in Vancouver and have chats with them about their thoughts on cycling, their bikes, and more. Have a look at the archive HERE.
Name?
Shaun
Does your bike have a name?
Nope. That's a tad boring. I'll name it now. I dub thee Quinton, after my childhood pet gerbil.
Tell me about your bike.
It's a Brodie and it's a bit off in that it's a prototype without a model name. I didn't know this when I bought it used. When I went to register it with the police I found that where the serial number is usually engraved on the bike the word PROTOTYPE was engraved instead. I often take my two children out riding with me so I have a child seat mounted on the front of my bike and when I have them both out I attach a trailer behind me as well.
Are you ever worried about cycling with your children aboard your bike? Or do you find its a safe and easy form of transportation with children?
I stick to the bike lanes and I feel safe when cycling with my kids. It's a lot of work biking up hill though.
Tell me about your daily commute?
I bike just under two kilometers downhill to work so it's a quick ride. I bike all over the city, but my ride to work is super short.
Do you bike throughout the winter?
Yes, year round.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for cyclists in Vancouver?
At the moment, wet leaves. They're sketchy.
What would you like to see changed about cycling in Vancouver?
To keep on expanding the bike routes, and more bike parking. I'm getting a cargo bike in the new year and I don't know where I'm going to store it. Old apartment buildings need to be retrofitted to fulfill the need for indoor bike parking for residents.
What has been your longest cycling trek?
I've biked around Maine Island, Bowen Island and Salt Spring Island on separate trips.
What do you think of the new bike share program in Vancouver?
It's great. I bought a years membership for it.
What caused you as a bicycle owner to purchase a bike share pass?
I use a lot of different of modes getting around. I bike, I use transit, and occasionally car shares. Mostly I like being able to ride to work and to leave my bike locked up at work with the option of taking transit to an event that night and know that I can still bike to work the next day using the bike share.
