Lisa R-R with her ride
Pictures and text by Lisa R-R.
Describe your commute.
It’s 10 km or so each way, and takes about 35 or 40 minutes. I try to cycle as often as possible as long as the temperature is above 5 C or below 35 C, usually mid-March through early December.
Why do you commute?
The usual reasons: No waiting, independence, economical, exercise, environmental and you get to see the city.
Riding through the U of T St. George campus
Whats the best part of your commute?
Gardens and trees. I can follow the seasons as I wind through the neighbourhoods. Also, I can stop for an espresso along the way! My route passes so many great cafes.
What’s the worst part of your commute?
Inconsiderate and unthinking people. They could be in cars, on e-bikes, pedestrians or, sadly, even sometimes other cyclists.
At University and College
What’s the most surprising part of your commute?
If the city really valued cycling, then we would have more and better quality bike lanes. The police should also be given clear instructions to police the bike lanes. It’s so frustrating especially when it is a large truck [parked in a bike lane] which is hard to get around safely! I have hopes for the Shaw contraflow lane but I am not clear if it is going to be on the opposite side from the parked cars, as on Montrose.
A view of the Don Valley from the Gerrard Street bridge
Lisa also owns a folding bike in Beijing!
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Ice Ride: Bike to Save the Arctic Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.
The Safer Sex: Are women safer cyclists? + Letter to the editor