Name / Occupation / Age:
Katrina Lee / Planner, Designer / 34
What do you use your bike for?
Mostly as a means of transport, leisure and for all types of cargo- Simple - my bike is my car!
How often do you ride?
Everyday in the summer, day or night, and as much as I can in the Winter when the roads are dry.
How long have you been commuting by bicycle and what made you decide to do it?
I sold my car when I left the film business, became a student and moved back to Montreal. After a long harsh Quebec winter, I needed to be outside as much as possible and have the city fully accessible to me. To make this happen, I went out and bought the first crappy CCM second hand bike. I paid too much for it too. That was the summer of 2003. I’ve been riding since.
Can you give a brief description of your route?
I stay close to the downtown core and so any route is possible although I prefer to take back streets rather than main ones. On a daily basis to work – east on Dundas from Ossington, through the Alexander Park, cut through the Queen.West neighbourhood, down Portland, then Camden until Spadina. Takes less than 10 mins which is awesome!
What’s the best thing about commuting by bicycle?
Firstly, that it simplifies my everyday life while having fun and a sense of mental freedom at the same time. I really miss it in the winter when I can’t ride as much.
Secondly, it’s just part of life like eating, sleeping etc. Not much in my daily routine needs to be altered just because I cycle instead of drive, and it doesn’t matter whether I’m dressed in torn jeans or a ball gown. Also, the city become so accessible when you feel like you can get virtually anywhere, park without problems, and at no cost!
Of course, I can’t forget the daily contribution to an environmentally friendly Toronto.
Any new advice for new riders?
- Make sure you get a bike you are comfortable with and that meets all your needs as a cyclist. There are so many types out there now and getting the right kind for you is an important personal choice to make if you’re going to enjoy cycling for as long as possible.
- Riding slowly is ok– everyone in Toronto is always in a rush from point A to B. There’s nothing wrong with taking it easy on a bike.
- Watch out for those street car tracks and car doors that swing open!…oh yeah, short sighted cab drivers too.
What would you say to convince someone who is considering commuting by bicycle to get on board their bike?
See my answer for the best thing about commuting by bicycle. Also:
For those with a socially conscious mind – it promotes a healthy lifestyle and environment, and the more people there are commuting, the more the city has to pay attention to our needs.
For those a little more image oriented – biking can be a great fashion statement especially if you get one that reflects your personality. I quote my dear friend, Tom Glenne of the band thetomglenne5.5, while he was in Amsterdam: “imagine you're at a busy intersection of a canal bridge, crowds of people and bikes around, big mess, and suddenly a stunningly beautiful woman wearing what'd pass as evening wear sails through it all without even blinking on an old style bike. wouldn't you be tempted to try to catch up if she gave you a smile as she shot past ?”
What do you like about biking in Toronto?
That compared so many other places, it is a bikeable city. Toronto is also reasonably flat which helps since I only have 3 gears. My friend visiting from Spain was really impressed and commented on how great the cycling is here. I think there is still so much to improve, compared to Copenhagen or Amsterdam, but it’s still so good to hear this. I’m also glad there that a there are now so many bike advocates these days.
What do you dislike about biking in Toronto?
- That to make significant changes to the bike infrastructure of Toronto, there are so many cultural and conservative mindsets that need to be changed. Where’s the “provide them and they will come” mentality?
- The vehicular traffic that constantly go into bike lanes to park or turn right. I believe that this is illegal and don’t understand why this law isn’t enforced?
- Pedestrians who are oblivious to the ringing of a bike bell and who step off sidewalks without looking out for bicyclists.
What is your favourite piece of cycling kit/clothing/gadget?
I love my bike so there are so many - my disc brakes (great braking when it’s raining), chain cover (great for skirts), bear seat protector for my brooks saddle (great for my butt) and loud ice cream truck sounding bell.
How could the city help you enjoy riding more?
I enjoy riding all the same. The question should be more about what can be done to encourage more commuter cycling. The city is concentrating on providing more bike paths which is great but they should take a look at the design and placement of new or existing ones. Unless the level of safety of the paths is improved, i.e. restricted to vehicular traffic, those who are scared of cycling in a city will still not bike.
Instead of being beside the curb, doesn’t it make more sense to have street parking zones on the left side of the bike path with a concrete barrier between the two? That way, a car will never cross through a bike path to park. Even better, raise those paths up one level, like a sidewalk, and provide dedicated traffic lights for the bike lanes. The more that is done to raise the level of cycling as a form of commuting, the higher the likelihood that cyclists will be respected.
From the driver’s point of view - right now, there are many complaints about the lack of respect from a cyclist towards vehicular traffic. With proper bike infrastructure, cyclists will be more inclined to stick to bike paths, stop weaving through traffic and running red lights. For example, I follow the road rules more in Copenhagen where the bike paths and infrastructure make so much sense, than in Toronto.
Scary bike story?
Cycling through traffic in Copenhagen during 5pm bike rush hour for the first time, not knowing the proper hand signals of the culture and almost causing a domino effect bike accident. I also almost got rear ended by a cab this spring at Queen and Portland – that was bad too.
What sort of bike do you ride:
Pashley Princess Classic.
Helmet or no helmet?
No helmet, although I don’t suggest that others follow this example.
Bikelane or no bikelane?
Either one since bikelanes here don’t make cycling that much safer.