During Bike Week, and possibly beyond, I will feature some cyclist profiles here on the wire. These will be profiles of regular people who ride bikes in the city. There might be the odd courier or cycling advocate thrown into the mix for good measure but, by and large these will be ordinary people who just want to ride.
Cyclist Profiles are a regular feature on I Bike TO.
Name / Occupation / Age
Adrian Heaps, Toronto City Councillor Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest, 51
What do you use your bike for?
Work and play.
How often do you ride?
4-6 times per week.
How long have you been commuting by bicycle and what made you decide to do it?
25 years — easier to park, fitness and health reasons.
Can you give a brief description of your route?
Home — the lakeshore trail — through the Esplanade to Victoria street – Queen to bay street – City Hall.
What’s the best thing about commuting by bicycle?
Good time to work out any frustration and think about the day’s events.
Any advice for new riders?
Start off on recognized bike trails and work your way to the “streets.” If you’ve been out of the groove for a while take the Can-Bike program to give you confidence about the “rules of the road.”
What would you say to convince someone who is considering commuting by bicycle to get on board their bike? Ride!
What do you like about biking in Toronto? The existing newtork.
And dislike?
Not enough integrated routes and storage areas for bikes.
Where is/are your favourite place(s) to bike in Toronto?
Taylor Park ravine to Sunnybrook Hospital to the Don Valley-to the Leslie Street Spit and back.
What’s your favourite cycling street in Toronto? Least favourite? Why?
See above for favourite. Least: Diamond lanes that are not respected.
What’s your favourite piece of cycling kit/clothing/gadget? My bell.
Favourite bike stores? Cycle Solutions.
How could the City help you enjoy riding more?*
n/a
*(Note, I asked the councillor this follow up question: What will he do as new chair of the Toronto Cycling Committee/CAC to improve cycling in the city? His assistant says he will try to get back to me tomorrow — he’s very busy.)
How did you start biking? By pedalling!
Helmet or no helmet? Helmet!
Bikelane or no bikelane? Both.
This picture of Councillor Heaps was taken at the Bike Train press launch on June 5th at Union station by his assistant. I will be posting a story about the new Bike Train service next week.
Crossposted to I Bike TO
