I Love Riding in the City

NAME: Nick Warren
LOCATION: Salzburg, Austria
OCCUPATION: Communications Manager/ Freelance Journalist

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
Salzburg, Austria. Cycling in Salzburg is an extremely pleasant experience and bike lanes are pretty much everywhere. Being Europe, most people use bicycles as a form of transport and motorists are very patient with cyclists. Even in winter when it’s snowing, you see old gents in pin stripe suits riding along carrying an umbrella or ladies on their way home with their shopping in a basket.

What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
Auckland, New Zealand. I was a bicycle messenger there for over three years and although it’s not the most beautiful metropolis, when you know city streets inside out like a courier does, it makes riding through it a special experience. It’s also a very hilly place, and you can get up some mean speed on some of the descents, but obviously going the other direction isn’t quite so fast.

Why do you love riding in the city?
The fact that you can get around on such a simple machine much faster and easier than anything else is so satisfying. You get to know a city intimately and it’s much easier to observe everything and everyone around you. Plus the buzz of racing through heavy traffic is second to none. But remember: Ride To Survive!

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Name: Henry Rowan
Location: Vancouver, BC
Occupation: Daycare attendee

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Vancouver, East Side. It’s a great place to ride despite its gathering yuppie, money crowd. There’s still plenty of green space, ocean, mountains and a ton of bike routes that can take you on a ride into some hidden jewels of this city. Weekdays are often just a commute to daycare for me, but papa’s ride to work provides him with a spectacular view of the city with the Lions, Cypress, Grouse & Seymour all in attendance. Weekends we venture further and also like to explore the gulf islands, sunshine coast and go on bike-camping trips.
 
Why do you love riding in the city?
Freedom! And because I get to spend time with my papa and we can ride to all the different parks, beaches, rivers and forests. Instead of driving in a car zooming by everything and getting frustrated, we can cruise through downtown, the suburbs and have lots of time for playing. We can take our time and get our face and eyes into all the nooks and crannies. My particular favourite is the ride out by the South Terminal along the Fraser River and watching the float planes come and go. Plus, I get to take lots of naps as my trailer is quite spacious.
 
What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
Papa says he’s enjoyed cycling in a few cities, but nothing beats the rush of riding in Montreal winters. Temperatures of -30, snow, ice on top of your regular hazards - including Quebec drivers! - makes for an exhilarating ride. Plus it makes the spring even sweeter when you can shed your boots, gloves, hat and many layers to feel the warm breeze and sunshine on your skin. Papa says that’s why Montreal summer cycling is such a joyous affair!