Bike to Work

Name: Cheryl Chatterton
Age: 36
Profession: Nurse at Campbell River Hospital
Years in Campbell River: Five
Home Town: Vancouver

Interesting Facts: I have a love of the outdoors: hiking, paddling, sailing, climbing, and biking. Before we had children, my husband and I sailed to Prince Rupert, over to Haida Gwaii, and back to Vancouver. In the last year and a half, I’ve ridden about 1700km on my bike - most of that pulling a bike trailer with two kids in it.
Do you bike to work every day? I either walk or bike, but since we are a single car household, I take the kids to daycare, gymnastics, piano, and even get groceries by bike.
Why do you commute by bike? I enjoy biking. It’s faster with the kids in the morning. It saves us money. Also, biking builds activity into my daily routine, so I don’t need to go to the gym. Biking gives you opportunities to stop and explore parks and forests while with the kids. It’s just easier to hop off the bike and explore.
What kind of bike do you have? I have a 1998 Rocky Mountain mountain bike, which I have converted into a partially electric bike just to give me an extra boost when pulling two kids up the hills.
Clothing issues: Good gloves are key in the winter, and boot covers in the rain.
Weather and cycling: You can’t ask for a better place to ride a bike. The only thing that stops me is snow, and then I just walk. The summers are not too hot, and this year there was only one week when I couldn’t ride in the winter.
Any advice for new commuter cyclist: You need to use common sense - learn the hand signals, know your rights and responsibilities as a cyclist, and follow the bike routes if you feel unsafe. Get familiar with the residential streets and stay off the busy roads like Dogwood. Use what you have. If you have two cars you will use them, so maybe get rid of one.
 

Cheryl Chatterton and friends on a Family Cycling Trip