Success for a Beginner Commuter
Bike to Work Week, Campbell River has had many success stories over the last few years. Individuals and families have found a new activity and mode of transportation that is a great form of exercise and saves money on fuel. Jen Dowler is an example of a BTWW success.
Jen was not an experienced rider, she was a fair weather cyclist, riding the sea walk on sunny days. She had never considered riding her bike work. A co-worker signed Jen up for their Bike to Work Week team. Jen had only had her bike for a year. She had never ridden more than 5 km. How would she manage the 20km return trip? Could she cycle up the Dogwood hill to Merecroft? How long would it take? What about sweaty clothes? What about getting the kids to school? The whole task seemed a little daunting. So Jen did a test run and it was not as difficult as she anticipated.
Bike to Work week arrived and on the Monday morning there was to be no snooze button. If Jen was going to ride to work so were her kids. They rode 3 out of the five days during BTWW week. One of her daughter’s enjoyed the ride to school so much she convinced some friends to join her. Jen’s husband was inspired by the family’s efforts and he too started riding to work. When Jen gets home, her exercise is done for the day; she hasn’t used her car and she has a real sense of accomplishment. She said “I was not an experienced cyclist before but now I set more goals for myself when biking.” Jen and her family did not stop riding to work once Bike to Work Week was over. They realised that biking to work and school was not only possible but very enjoyable.
