I had been thinking about buying an electric bicycle for many, many years. My hesitation was that, the price seemed a little out of my reach, and I was not sure if I would use the bicycle enough to justify the cost. However, when Covid-19 first started, in Victoria, I had to cancel my annual Cross Canada motorcycle trip. I decided to use the money I saved from my (now cancelled) vacation to buy an electric bicycle. I bought a Cannondale Electric bicycle, in early May. Since then I’ve never looked back. I began riding every day simply for exercise. I had cancelled my gym membership when Covid started and I found riding the bicycle to be a great way to get in my cardio. I also enjoyed riding so much, I started to use my electric bicycle for getting groceries, dropping books off at the library, getting to the post office and a host of other errands that I used to do by car. I now use my car as little as once per week. This saves the environment, saves me money by buying less gas, and contributes to my exercise program and it’s enjoyable. The funny thing was, I was one of those car drivers that wondered if the bicycle lanes in Victoria were worth the money for taxpayers. Now I love the bicycle lanes and wish we had many, many more. I’ve also taken so many side routes to my usual destinations, that I’ve come to know many of my close neighborhoods so much better. I was having so much enjoyment, that my husband bought a new electric bicycle. He loves his bicycle as much as I do. Then we decided to buy my grandson, age 8, a new (NON-electric) bicycle so that he could learn and ride with us on some of the trips close to his home neighborhood. We were able to introduce my grandson to the Lochside trail and the Galloping Goose. He was over-the-moon to be riding on these trails, and usually wanted to be out in front and was as fast as we were on our electric bicycles. Overall, the experience of our new bicycles for us and the whole family has been amazing.

Sheila Best, Victoria

Biking keeps me sane. My job changed drastically as a teacher, finding myself sitting in front of a computer rather than interacting in person with students. From moving and talking all day, to sitting all day by myself, my bike was the one consistency in a time of change. And with my bike I was reminded how beautiful spring is on Vancouver Island and how fortunate I am to live in this beautiful province.

James Cutt, Cowichan Valley

During this Pandemic I have found getting out on my bike and going for a ride has done wonders for my mental and physical state. I live alone and so my social circle has really shrunk during this pandemic so cycling is something to get me out of the house and get some good endorphins going. I always feel 100% better after a ride!
When I get out for a ride, I pass people and we are all smiling and waving as we pass each other. It feels like we are doing this more then usual as I think it is because we are just happy to see other and we appreciate the fact that we are healthy and able to be out and enjoying a cycle.
I have also seen more painted rocks and hearts then I have ever seen before too and that always makes me smile.
Stay safe and healthy and keep on cycling!

Carol Lawrence, Penticton

For many years my everyday Kensington purple retro bicycle has been gathering dust and feeling very neglected in our lonely Kerrisdale basement. It’s not that I haven’t thought of cycling or the emotional effect of not cycling would have on my bike, it just didn’t happen. Then, the COVID19 crisis came along and everything changed. A lot of my regular activities were cancelled. So you can imagine my bike’s surprise and elation when on March 18th, 2020, I dusted her off, put some air in the tires and proceeded to ride down 37th to the Arbutus Greenway. One small ride and we were both hooked. I had nearly forgotten the joy and feeling of freedom one gets from a good bike ride. As a child I rode my bike everywhere in our small Central Alberta town and cycling continued to be an important part of my life when I moved to Vancouver in 1973. But somewhere along the line and not for any particular reason, I stopped cycling.
Well things have changed and I have the novel corona virus to thank for it! I am happy and proud to report that since March 18th, I have cycled every day except for 2 days when it was raining and too dangerous and slippery to venture out. I have to be careful not to fall off my bike as I am waiting for a new date for hip replacement surgery that was postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Fortunately, cycling does not seem to hurt my hip as long as I don’t overdo it. My bike rides on the Arbutus Greenway and through the beautiful areas of Shaughnessy, Kerrisdale and Kitsilano aren’t long or difficult so my dear and trusty bike that only has 6 gears is entirely adequate for my purposes. My beloved bike is solid and dependable just like the ideal mate, long searched for and forever cherished.
The reconnection with my bike and the rediscovery of my love of cycling will be my best memory of an otherwise stressful period in our life in the time of COVID19. I am an active senior living in Kerrisdale with my husband and best friend George. Although he wouldn’t admit it he is secretly jealous of my relationship with my Everyday Kensington bicycle.

Jean Haldane, Kerrisdale (Vancouver)

I am a senior, arrived in Parksville almost four years ago. The cycling group was an important part of my learning about my new community.
Skip ahead three years and I was fortunate enough to have my daughter and her husband move about 2 kms. up the Island from me. We were both loving the bike group , although she does work from home, so doesn't get out as much as me.
Now skip ahead to this year. Bam, we are both grounded. Both of us want to follow the rules, self isolate and keep our 6ft. apart. Lo and behold we found biking was the easiest way to do that. We pack a lunch. Follow bike path or explore new neighborhoods, check out our magnificent trees, stunning flower gardens find a lovely bench or a lovely log and visit each other. Always with a stunning calming view and feel as if we have had a visit in a far away land.
It has been an excellent way to stay fit, not only physically but mentally.

Linda (Gary) Duguay, Parksville

I am a full-time university student and mountain biking helps me relieve daily stress and anxiety.

Allison Brand

My name is Carla and I am a healthcare worker. I am a Social Worker at our local hospital. Once COVID-19 placed restrictions on social distancing and the hospital began to prepare for the worst case scenario, I made a personal promise to myself to bike to and from work every day. Anxiety ran high with work tasks changing and my personal goal is to keep my body & my mind healthy during the pandemic. And biking to and from work is my plan to keep healthy! From my house to work, it is about 8 km round-trip and it takes 8 minutes for me to get to work. And it is quicker for me to ride than to drive, park and walk to the hospital. My ride home is all up hill and it takes me anywhere from 29 minutes, which is my current personal best, to 40 minutes. I am stronger physically since I started. The hill is hard to ride but I have never regret my ride home. Another perk is that I rarely need gas in my car. In addition, I have seen a lot of wildlife that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise including a hawk carrying off a snake for dinner. So many benefits to riding my bike! To date, it has been 6 weeks of riding to and from. And I regret nothing! Thank you!

Carla Williams

Hello! I am a nurse at KGH and have been biking to work since February of this year, rain or shine! Its a great way to start my day, and blow off any steam at the end of the day. Keeping this one routine during these crazy times has helped keep me grounded. Keep calm and peddle on! Cheers!

Karen Little, Kelowna

Working as a frontline worker during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very stressful. Long shifts and hours of wearing PPE. Coming home emotionally and physically drained. Days off from work, I go for a long bike ride. It re-energizes me and lifts my spirits. I see many people riding their bikes, males and females of all ages. It seems to motivate me for my next bike ride. Especially when they give you a smile. Maybe they know somehow, that I am a frontline worker.

Balbinder Jassi, Vernon

Every morning for years, I have ridden my bike to work. It’s about a 45-minute commute, and I arrive refreshed, pumped up, and ready for a good day at the office. After work, I often extend the ride to an hour or more, visiting parts of town that my daily routine wouldn’t take me to, or stopping downtown to do chores or go shopping. I get home with the stresses of the day cleansed from my body and spirit, ready to enjoy the rest of the day with my wife.
The COVID pandemic and required social isolation threatened this routine. I have worked from home for about 2 months now. To maintain the routine, I rise at the same time, and before work jump on my bike and take a 45-minute ‘commute’ through the countryside before arriving at work—right back home! Again, at day’s end, I hop on my bike and head out for the ‘commute’ home, thus getting my exercise, seeing the neighborhood, and clearing my mind and body with fresh air, all in a socially distanced manner. I’m getting close to retirement, and see that this will be a great option in retirement too: a commute to and from my new ‘job’. Going by bike has given me something to look forward to every day and well into the future.

Ward Strong, Vernon