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?
Shokei.
Tell me about your bike?
My bike is a beater. If it were a car, the best thing for me to do would be to take it in for car smashing therapy. Does bike smashing therapy exist?
Where did you purchase your bike?
Triple A Cycles on Main Street. I bought it because it was the only one with a large enough frame and wheels. I needed it to be large because of my height but also have a thick frame so I could hop curbs and take shortcuts by off-roading.
Do you ride to work?
I do even though I thought at first that it would be too long of a stretch. I commute from Fraser Street and Marine Drive to Second Avenue and Commercial Drive. The bike routes actually make it a pretty simple ride. I leave for work between 7:30 and 8am, so last week I got to see an amazing sunrise near Marine Drive. The fog lately has also been really beautiful to bike in during my morning commute, and biking over Christmas was also lovely because of all the lights.
You biked over the winter then?
Yes, I'm an all year biker.
Did you find it difficult doing winter cycling? Or was it an easy progression?
I was caught once in the rain so I had to swish all around in soggy shoes all day, but besides that it's been fine.
Do you generally bus when its raining out?
Depends on the severity of the rain. If I know it's only going to rain in the afternoon I will as I don't mind getting soaked on my way home. I don't have gear for really heavy rainfall, and I could never bring myself to buy those little bootlets.
Bike pants are a good alternative though.
Yes, that's true. I have those. They are my only concession to biking in Vancouver.
Are you worried about bike theft at all?
No, not with my bike, which is one of the benefits of having a beater. Some people have clunker cars or bikes for that reason. I don't need a high performance bike though I would like to try one sometime, just to see the difference. Like one of those Italian bicycles that you can lift with one finger. It would be like going from ski boots to ballet shoes.
Do you have any biking stories from when you were a kid?
I grew up in Richmond so it was very flat and we learned at a young age how to ride with no hands, which is a skill I get to occasionally use when I forget my gloves. I started cycling when I was four and this skill was such a natural part of my childhood that I don't even think twice about doing it now.
What was your most epic bike ride?
One time I attempted to ride from Surrey to Chilliwack and back. I almost made it but I got a flat tire outside a farm in Abbotsford. However, I did ride the return trip from Chilliwack to White Rock. I just wanted to see what it was like to do an epically long ride. It was fun. Wait, check that. There were some brutal moments like when I passed out from exhaustion on the side of the rode and some hardcore cyclists came up to me in all their biking gear to ask if I was alright and I just tried to get them to pass on.
Had you been cycling a lot at that point?
Yes, I had been taking my bike all over the city but I had never biked more than an hour at a time because everywhere in the city only takes an hour to cycle to. So biking for seven hours straight was kind of a stretch.
Have you ever been in a major bicycle accident?
Yes, last year when I was out with a friend at a pub one night and after saying my goodbyes put on my fedora and rode off. The next thing I remember is waking up in the emergency. Now if I am out at night I put my bike on the bus to get home. I was very lucky. I know that riding home after a night out in Vancouver is really popular choice as people's thought process is generally “Well, I'm not driving. I'm doing the right thing.” You just have to judge the situation and make sure you are being safe.
What do you think about all the newer bike lanes in Vancouver?
I'm a fan of them and do tend to use them quite frequently. I am also a car driver and enjoy the both of them just as much. I like having the choice to choose one or the other and I don't see why we can't have both in this city. I definitely see that when I choose my car over my bike for more than a month my waistband begins to expand. So it's good to have the balance.
Anything else you would like to say about biking?
Biking makes me happy. When I am not biking I get grumpy. Also, doubling people, don't do it.
Like tandem?
No, like someone on your handlebars or rat trap. I'm just remembering one time and don't recommend it.
