Say you’re the type who settles for the regular. You walk at 5 km/h figuring you’ll get somewhere… eventually. Now multiply that by five. Yes! Five times the speed, the same amount of energy use. What a deal!
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Until you complete that space-time wormhole project in your parents’ basement, biking is your best mobility bet ever.
Personally, I can’t live without my wheels. Most mornings I beat the streetcar to work and save $20 a week. And unlike cars, your roadie enjoys ample free parking and no carbon guilt.
Then there’s the pride of ownership and self-expression. Depending on my mood, I’ll switch from vintage cruiser to speedy hybrid. Others opt for the BMX, penny-farthing or dandy horse – to each their own. Doing my own customizing – from headset to toeclip – brings me even closer to my wheels, all without obnoxious exhaust noise. A sunny weekend day set aside for tuning the brakes and gears (and beers) can be a relaxing way to appreciate the simplicity and power of this fantastic mode of transport.
Detractors will be quick to point out the dangers: cars, cabs (do professional drivers have a quota for bike impacts?), scooters, e-scooters, sluggish city bike lane bureaucrats, the suburbs and thieves.
But when done with a cool head and steady cadence, the pedalled approach gives back big time.
The cherry on top: city bikers are a family, united through online forums, Critical Mass rides, activism and a young and promising Toronto Cyclists Union that’s managed to build a 500-plus membership and increase pressure on the stagnating city Bike Plan. We live in the age of the cyclist, and it’s only getting better.
PAUL TEREFENKO
Advantages: One of the fastest and freest ways to get around a traffic-stalled city. At a comfy cruising speed of 15 to 20 km/h, you can soak up the cityscape, whistle a tune and smile at passersby without breaking a sweat or getting elbowed by strangers. Add a basket, saddlebags or a mini-trailer and you’ve got carting potential. Also, bikes require less pavement.
Disadvantages: Sorry, but Toronto is no gold medalist when it comes to bike-friendliness. The ongoing lack of bike paths and lockers means you’re vulnerable to sideswipes and sticky-fingered thieves. Then there’s the inevitable deep-breathing of car fumes (see page 32). Plus, most cyclists, except for those with a warrior within, only pull out their wheels once the snow’s vanished. Beware of streetcar tracks.
Eco footprint: These tailpipe-free kings of the eco movement do, of course, require some relatively minor polluting inputs (iron mining for steel, and air-polluting spray paints). Devinci Cycles uses a painting technique that’s chopped solvent use by 80 per cent and paint use by a third.
Costs: A new bike runs anywhere from $50 all the way up to a $5,000. Score a good second one at a place like Cyclemania or on Craigslist.
Body boost: Dig in to get that heart rate pumping for a sold cardio sesh, or cruise in mellow Mary Poppins style – your call. Burn 270 to 720 cals an hour.
Retail tips: Consider investing in a good-quality bike – it’ll last longer, be easier to maintain, and you’ll enjoy the ride more. But rampant theft means many T-dotters would rather go for the cheapest bike in town. Either way, get a good U-lock pronto.
ADRIA VASIL
