The Joy of Achievement

Etienne on his was to fight crime on his "Bat"cycle

As many of you probably remember, back in October we had the misfortune to find our beloved family bike trailer had been stolen from outside my son's daycare. While it was a sad and frustrating moment, it was quickly dismissed by our son deciding he was ready to ride a bike on his own, and so started a brand new chapter for the Velo Family. Since then, our son has become a superstar, insisting on riding to school nearly every day. He's come a long way from the boy that was terrified to try just last summer.

In watching him master his skills at riding, I've been reminded how amazing it must be to a child to start achieving new milestones in life. I can still remember the looks on my children's faces when they started walking. You could tell by their smile and wide eyes that they knew what they were doing was a huge step, pardon the pun, and were also reflecting the pride in the faces of my husband and I. I see that same look every time our son, Etienne, does something on his bike he's never done before, and I can't help but feel like such a proud Mommy.

It really was no surprise that the bundle of non-stop energy that is our son would have the stamina for long distances. He now easily travels upwards of 20 kms along the seawall if we ask him to, and very rarely complains of being tired. As with anyone learning to ride a bike in a hilly city like Vancouver, it is always the inclines that we are acutely aware will be tough for him. We learned which routes to avoid when our daughter was still getting her riding legs, and try to take things as easy as possible for both of them, and us, if we can. 

Sometimes it's unavoidable though, like the alleyway the children and I ride up to get to their dance class every Tuesday. Each week, Etienne has managed to get a bit further, with a little encouragement from his sister and I. We've even taken to singing a little song modified from Finding Nemo - "Just keep pedalling, just keep pedalling...". I think they mostly like when I start singing it funny just like Dory. At any rate, it clearly worked because this week, he made it all the way to the top without stopping, and the first thing he said was, "I'm going to tell Daddy when I get home!" The excitement and joy on his face was intoxicating, and all three of us were beaming.

Riding a bike is definitely a skill that allows children to start to feel that independence they see in their parents and other adults. They know that this is just the beginning of years of being in control of how they get from one place to the next. For our children, this is no exception, but I can't help feel there is one skill they've both been most excited to master. Since getting out city bikes, the kids have watched my husband and I learn and master the graceful Dutch dismount. It was then no surprise when our daughter, Coralie, did all she could to learn to dismount that way on her own Dutch city bike. We were, however, completely surprised to find that Etienne had been mustering the courage to join his family, even on his little BMX. Just a few weeks ago, when coming home with the two kids, I turned around to watch him ever so casually toss his leg over his top bar and step off his bike. Coralie and I were amazed! Apparently he'd been watching and practising without us even knowing, and was now just like the rest of his family. 

There are times now when I take my kids abilities on a bike for granted. Of course they know how to ride, that's what kids do. But when we have these small milestones, it's a reminder of how far they've come since sitting comfortably behind Mommy and Daddy in the trailer or on the trail-a-bike. I couldn't be prouder to see the joy on their faces, or the excitement they feel about riding. I'm also very happy that through all the frustration, loss of patience and anxiety, my husband and I have been able to pass on yet another important life skill to our kids. Now, if only I could get them to clean bathrooms as well as they ride bikes, and I would be one happy Mommy!

Every cloud....

Quite saddened to know these days are over

About a week and a half ago the dynamic of the Velo Family was severely disrupted. Upon picking up our youngest from daycare, I discovered that, for the second time, a stranger had stolen our bike trailer. Multiple thoughts went through my head, some less PG than others, but aside from the frustration and anger came a sadness. For many cycling families, this would be a blow. For us, it meant that we had lost our ability to bike commute as a family, to do our large grocery shopping by bike, and to enjoy long rides along the Seawall, something we had apparently taken for granted and missed almost immediately. 

The most immediate impact was felt by husband and son, who had come to rely on our trailer for their morning routine. Without the trailer, Chris would be forced to walk with Etienne to his daycare about a kilometre away, before riding off to work, adding at least thirty minutes to his commute. It's pretty astounding how something as simple as a theft can completely change your lives when you rely on two wheels to get you around. However, what started out as astounding in a negative way turned into something pretty spectacular.

As you may have read previously, we have been attempting to get our son to ride on his own for over a year to no avail. My husband and I knew all along that one day, a switch would flip, and he would just get it, but it seemed to be taking forever and we were beyond frustrated. So when the trailer was stolen, and we suggested to our little man that he try riding so he can bike to school with daddy, we didn't expect much. Especially when he repeatedly said that he couldn't do it yet. But we had to try; we had no choice!

So we set up on the sidewalk, camera in hand, ready and waiting for that magic moment. After several passes, things were appearing to be as hopeless as before. You see, my husband and I knew he capable of riding on his own. In fact, he was! But for some reason, in his head, he was still too young, and would panic after just a few revolutions without daddy or mommy near by. We decided we would give it one more go, cheering him on with compliments, encouragement and praise. And then it happened! After over twelve months of trying, failing and trying again, our four and a half year old son was finally riding on two wheels all by himself! He beamed with joy and pride, and was so excited he decided the very next day he would ride to school. True to his word, he did just that. The following morning, while I sat at home nervous for my little guy, I received a text from my husband saying simply this, "'I DID IT!'"

One very happy little boy

Here we are now, just eleven days later, and the Velo Family has just returned from our first bike ride as a family all riding solo. We travelled along the 10th Avenue bikeway three kilometres from our home on Commercial Drive to enjoy some breakfast on Main Street. It's a route we all know well, but the first time Etienne would ride that distance, including some steeper inclines on the way. I'm very happy to report he made it safely there and back without any tumbles, and only had to dismount a couple of times and get a hand from daddy to make it up the hill. So, what started out as a disheartening blow to our daily routines turned out to be a blessing in disguise. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining...or in our case, a little blue bike and a brave little boy!

The set is now complete!

Girls, Bikes, Fear and How We Need to Change

We're alike in so many ways, I just hope I pass on my
passion for riding to her in the years to come

We all love our daughters. We want them to grow up to be strong, independent women, capable of meeting every challenge head on. Not to be scared, not to doubt themselves and never to think there's something they just can't do. Mother's are particularly aware of this, knowing first hand what challenges await their girls as they go from being adorable little princesses and rough and tumble tomboys to awkward teenagers, to young women trying to figure out what it is they want from their lives, and possibly even becoming mothers themselves. So why is it, when we want all these positive things for our girls, that we keep going on about all the things they need to be afraid of?

There are certainly veritable dangers out there that all kids need to be mindful of, like talking to strangers, walking through dark alleys and so on. But as I watch my daughter and her friends grow, I have become aware that there is a lot of other so-called dangers that perhaps we need to take a step back from and realize that if we give them credit, our girls will prove that they are capable of taking responsibility for their own safety.

Let's take cycling for example, just because that's what my family is, a bicycle family. My daughter has now been riding solo for almost two years, and doing so on the road for well over a year. Each time we ride, I take the opportunity to teach her how to ride defensively, to be aware of the cars and pedestrians around her, and to always follow the rules of the road. While I have had my moments of panic, I have tried my hardest to not make riding a bike a terrifying experience for her. Because it isn't. Yes, cars are dangerous two-tonne weapons, but if I tell her that every time she sees a car it could mean she's going to get hit, she would never get on a bike. I want her to enjoy riding, not be afraid that every time she gets on her bike there is a high probability of injury or death.

Just last weekend, while out for a ride, my husband and I passed a family that was so stressed about their kids being on the road that they kept manically telling their kids to stay to the side, watch what they doing, keep control, hurry up to get through an intersection when they had plenty of time and so on. Don't get me wrong, these are all valid concerns when you're riding with children, especially young ones still finding their legs. However, if, as an adult, you had someone constantly spouting dangers at you while you tried to do something confidently, would you not be prone to think, "Why the heck and I attempting to do something so dangerous?! Clearly, I should stop trying."

Let's face facts. It has been discussed time and again that women are generally more averse to taking risks. As a result, the ridership numbers for women are drastically lower than men. I also recently read a report from bikeportland.org discussing how by the age of thirteen to fourteen, many young girls are likely to stop riding their bikes. One of the reasons they stop is because they are afraid of getting hurt while doing something physical. The thing they seem to forget is that riding a bike is so easy, and the chances that you will get hurt just riding to and from school or to meet a friend are very slim. But then, maybe they've spent their childhood being told it is dangerous, and when you're a thirteen year old girl, the most important things to you are that you fit it, you feel good about your body, and that nothing will stop you from getting together with your friends. Thinking that sitting down on a bike may result in a broken limb or worse, making it harder to achieve this, gives them all the reason in the world not to ride.

It's about time we start talking less about the dangers of riding a bike with our girls, and more about how great it is! Learning to ride a bike is the first step to gaining independence, and the act of riding a bike is the ultimate in freedom, creating so much joy for nearly every rider I know, young and old alike. For a child, they no longer have to hold their parent's hand while they're riding a bike, and only they can steer, slow down or stop their bike. If you think about it, that is a huge sense of responsibility for a child, and I'm sure it makes them feel so proud that they are able to accomplish all this on their own. 

Not from yesterday, but my daughter having
FUN on her bike

In fact, I know it does. Just yesterday, I let go and gave my daughter one of the ultimate milestones in independence for a child. I let her bike home from school...on her own. I know, GASP! After having to run an emergency errand by car right after school, we had to figure out how to get her bike home that she had ridden that morning. Being that I also had my son with me, and dinner to make, going home, dropping off the Zipcar, getting my bike and trailer and going back to the school seemed so time consuming and unnecessary. So, after speaking to her about being responsible, walking across our dreaded crosswalk, and obeying all the rules of the road we had talked about before, I dropped her off at her school and watched as she got on her bike and headed home...solo. When I saw her again, safe and sound at home, the grin on her face after succeeding to take such a big step into independence made me so happy for her. She felt STRONG, INDEPENDENT and most of all, NOT AFRAID to do it again.

Ladies out there, we all know we're strong enough to do just about anything. It's about time we start passing on that confidence to our little girls. We need to stop teaching our girls that danger is waiting for them around every corner. All we're doing is raising our daughters to doubt themselves and their abilities. We need to teach them to be safe, but in a way that is preparing them to be independent. For those with daughter's that ride, we need to maintain that joy they feel as children all through their growing up, so that when they reach their teens, they keep riding because they know it's no more dangerous than walking to meet their friends, and in fact, a lot quicker and good for their health. The best way to start fostering that, keep riding with them, give them moments of independence, and share your joy on two wheels with them every chance you get!

A little video of my daughter mastering yet another bike related skill...the graceful Dutch dismount. (Video c/o @cbruntlett)

It may take a village, but they're still my kids

A few weeks ago I wrote about the people that feel it necessary to comment on the way in which I choose to ride a bike, and that it's really none of their business. Well, if you're a parent, like me, you may find you've been in similar situations when it comes to childrearing. A friend through Twitter once said "Riding a bike and being a parent are very similar: there's always someone who thinks you're doing it wrong", and it's amazing how true that is. Since the birth of our daughter, nearly seven years ago, my husband and I have had people around us, family, friends or complete strangers, offering comments or advice on how to be successful parents. Many times, that advice is warranted, even requested, and has been quite helpful to get us through trying times. I am aware that I'm not an expert, and every day is another potential challenge or learning experience. Raising children truly does take a village.

What I take issue with is the people that comment on my parenting because they think I'm doing it wrong. That, somehow, they know better how to deal with my children. With some of the "advice" we've endured over the past seven years, if I didn't know better I would think it's a miracle our children have survived each day. From our vegetarian lifestyle, how we travel by bicycle, babysitting, and even the way in which we walk with each other when out in the city, other adults have felt that we could be doing it better, and have been vocal about it.

Let's face it, we, as a society, do hold some very strong opinions about how others should behave. It's what makes us human, our ability to look at certain situations and actions and decide how we would best deal with them, and it is what forms our personalities and guides our actions. But another human trait that I feel is being lost, is having the social grace and understanding to know when perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourself. As someone who lives car-free, sure I have strong personal convictions about the level of car dependence in our society, but I am not about to chastise people, family, friends or otherwise, simply because they have chosen to live differently from me.

And that's what it's about; having the freedom to choose. Over the course of my daughter and son's lives, my husband and I have made choices about how we raise our children, the activities we do together, the food we eat and so on. When we need help or advice, we are very willing to ask for it, because sometimes we don't always know the best course of action. We are also there for those who ask our opinions as well, offering advice or counsel without casting judgement.

My babies and I, Mother's Day 2013

Since 2006, I have been lucky enough to raise not one but two pretty amazing children with the help of an amazing partner, and a large support group spread all over the globe. We have had challenges, and at those times we have always been grateful to have help from our friends and family. But through the successes and challenges, I have watched my son and daughter become adventurous, mindful and happy children, and while I know my husband and I can't take all the credit for that, I also am aware that they are my kids. The responsibility for them lies on the shoulders on my husband and I, and as far as I can tell, we are definitely doing something right!

They grow up so fast

Life has been pretty crazy the past four weeks for the Velo Family. Travel to Saskatoon and Edmonton for work left me longing to return home to my city, my routine and my wonderful family who managed to cope without me quite well. Returning home I was launched into even more work in Vancouver, but thankfully I was able to hop back on my bike as the wet Winter weather started to give way to sunnier Spring days. As you have likely noticed, between work and trying to spend time with my family, my writing for this blog has suffered. So now that I have a moment to sit down and put some thoughts on paper, so to speak, I am inspired to talk about my kids and how they keep changing every day, growing more and more aware and responsible, something that I've become increasingly aware of after being away and working. 

Before leaving for Edmonton a couple weeks back, I had a pretty epic weekend with my family (see It doesn't get much better). In all the excitement of the weekend, I didn't get to talk about a pretty big milestone that just kind of happened on the way to meeting up with my husband on the Sunday. On the way, I realized my daughter was attempting to lead us, so I decided to let her, just to see how well she really does know her way. I was amazed with what I experienced!

My little girl just absorbing on the bus
to swimming lessons

As we left our street, I told her where we were going. As children have no concept of street names, save their own, I explained we were going to the store on the bike route that has the candy pop. To us adults, that translates to Cream Soda at Union Market in Strathcona. Once we crossed Commercial Drive on 10th Avenue, I let her get in front of me and take the lead. And lead she did. She knew exactly where and when to turn, and even practiced her hand signals 99% of the time. She slowed to check for oncoming cars and bikes at traffic circles, kept three feet from the parked cars, and only asked me for help once. I was incredibly proud to know that she had been paying attention this whole time, and really is starting to get a real grasp of her surroundings and getting from point A to point B.

Our munchkins walking confidently
in their "hood"

While I was away travelling, my in-laws came for a visit, helping out with the kids while my husband worked during the day. Each day they walked my daughter to school, and then spent the day entertaining my son until pick up. What they found out was that even he, at only four years old, knows his neighbourhood pretty darn well. He took them to Trout Lake, showing them around our nearest park and playground. They walked up Commercial Drive, with Etienne taking them to all his favourite places, including Grandview Park, Fratelli's Bakery, and, of course, a visit to First Ravioli Store to visit with "Auntie Tina", the wonderful Italian lady that works there and is infamous with my children for offering them free cookies. Once again, I am astounded at how much my children truly have been absorbing their surroundings with all the time they spend on foot or on bike travelling throughout the various neighbourhoods of Vancouver.








I think it's so important that children learn how to get around in their neighbourhood by modes other than a private vehicle. Not only do they more readily recognize the way home in case they're lost, but it prepares them for the eventual independence of travelling on their own when they get older. It is no secret that most children in today's society are transported mainly by private automobiles. Whether to school, to their extra curricular activities or to do the weekly shop, these trips all have one thing in common - a child sitting in the back seat of a car with no real perception of where it is they are going. By walking, biking or taking public transit, children are exposed to more of their natural surroundings, and get a truer sense of the distances travelled, the best and/or safest routes, and most importantly, they gain the confidence to travel independently. 

They're a couple of confident little rascals!

In the next year or two, I plan on starting to let my daughter walk to school on her own. Eventually, that will also mean walking with her younger brother. What I have learned with these recent revelations regarding my children's navigational skills is that when the time comes, they will be ready. They are already developing the confidence to walk and bike in our neighbourhood, and those that we frequent regularly. It really does put my mind at ease, because, after all, there will come a time when my kids will want to go out with their friends to the mall or to hang out, and won't want us to walk them there. On that day, I will be reassured that we have been doing the very best to prepare them for this moment. And for the time being, maybe it's time I start letting them lead the way for all our escapades... so long as it isn't always to the nearest playground!

So you want to license my child: The insanity of bicycle licensing

Our kids don't need a license to ride, just
passion and a bit of common sense

Being an advocate for increased bicycle ridership, better infrastructure, and reigniting the number of children who ride bikes, I tend to read quite a few articles and posts on the subject. I will admit, from time to time, I venture into the comments, just to see what others are saying, and also to see if perhaps, finally, the general population has given up on this whole "war on cars" nonsense. One suggestion I frequently see from those commenters, who feel people who ride bikes are being pandered to, is that bicyclists should have to get a license. The belief is that if they are using the roads, then they should have to be licensed. I'm still a bit perplexed as to why there is such a push for bicycle licenses, mainly because I have a six-year-old who does ride on the road and a four-year-old soon to follow. So to understand it a bit better I looked into it. Here's what I found out.






Many motorists believe that by licensing people on bikes, it will turn them into better road users. From obeying traffic laws to respecting other road users' space. It is true that there are some pretty aggressive cyclists out there who run through stops signs, blaze through intersections without looking for traffic, and even disrespect pedestrians at crosswalks. I have to point out, though, that licensing these people will not change their behaviour, just as requiring people to pass a driving test and obtain a license to drive a car has not stopped some motorists from speeding, rolling through intersections instead of coming to a complete stop, not yielding to pedestrians, or worse still, crashing into each other. Not licensing because it won't change behaviour does seems a little fatalistic, but I would argue that there are many reasons motorists must be licensed - you have to be 16 to drive a car, driving is a very complicated task with many regulations and rules, and most importantly: cars are 2-tonne metal machine capable of causing death and destruction. A bicycle can be ridden by anyone, any age, weighs about 20-40 lbs, and cannot kill someone, if by chance they are hit by a bicycle.

Another argument I hear frequently is that people on bicycles need to share the cost of road usage and wear and tear. The fact is that all adults living in a city pay taxes, whether through income, purchases, property taxes, etc, regardless of their mode of transportation, be it car, bus, rapid transit, bicycle or plain old walking. Those taxes go to various expenses, not the least of which include road repair and upkeep. But ok, let's look at it from the monies earned through licensing point-of-view. Copenhagenize summed it up quite succinctly in a related post written in March of 2010 (Source). Essentially, if you compare the average weight of a car, around, let's say, 3500 lbs, to the average weight of a bicycle, around 30 lbs, a bicycle weighs about 0.9% of that of a car. Here in BC, the cost of a driver's licence is $75. If you based the cost of a bicycle license as 0.9% of that, then a bicycle license would cost $0.68. Mathematically, that just doesn't make sense, and the government would actually lose money in setting up a system like this, not to mention the administrative costs lost over time. So, to sum up, licensing bicyclists would cost tax payers more money, leaving even less from an already strained budget for repair and upkeep of our shared roads. 

There is also the negative impact of licensing bicycles to consider. The biggest would be a large reduction in cycling numbers. Riding a bicycle is cheap, easy, and can be done by anyone. Requiring people on bikes to get licensed will turn a lot of people away, who would opt for other modes of transport instead of dealing with the hassle of getting a license. I think it's pretty apparent that riding a bike is a form of exercise, whether your racing or just using a bike to get around town at a leisurely pace. If a large number of people decreased their level of frequent exercise, and opted for a more sedentary way of travel, so increases their health risks due to inactivity and weight gain, and thus increases the strain on our health care system, costing tax payers more money. 

Outside of the cost to both the government and its taxpayers and to individual health, and whether or not it will make cyclists behave better, I have a question I blurt out every time I hear about licensing cyclists; What about the kids?! Many children start learning to ride a bike when they are between two- and three-years-old. Usually by the time they are school aged, those same children are riding on their own bike confidently, many on roads with their parents. What governing body, in their right minds, is going to require that toddlers pass a test and ask their parents to pay to licence their 16" one speed BMX? It's a ridiculous idea, and would only cause less and less children to learn the freedom of riding a bike, which, once again, would decrease physical activity in our young people. But again, I ask, do you really want to license my four- and six-year-old?

When all the facts are laid out, requiring licensing for cyclists would be a massive drain on time and money with little to no reward. Having a license doesn't necessarily mean people will behave better. Understanding the rules of the road, and respecting other road users is common sense, and believe me, those of us who ride bikes are instilling that respect in our children, not so much for the benefit of the motorists, but more for their own safety. So, next time you're frustrated with a bad cyclist, or the proposal of a new bike lane, take a breathe and really think about how this really impacts you before going on a rant in a comments section about licensing cyclists. We're not out to get you, we have not declared a war on cars, and nothing makes you look more like a jerk then suggesting a small child should get a license to be able to feel the joy of riding on two wheels.

Physical health and the battle of car vs bike commuting

There are a lot of people on either side of the car vs bike debate, and much rhetoric is spun to try to win over the masses. Obviously, being a car-free family, it's no secret I think that riding a bike is an amazing way to get around, but I'm not going to force anyone to change their habits by being a bully and using negative and hateful words. I understand that for some, bike commuting is simply not an option. I do, however, feel it's important to share with those who drive motorized vehicles every day the importance of daily physical activity. Instead of being so angry at those of us choosing to ride our bikes from point A to B, they need to understand the benefits of our actions.

Many out there think that all people who ride bikes are on some environmental mission to reduce greenhouse gases, "One Less Car" at a time. Lower emissions is definitely a benefit of riding a bike instead of driving a car, but that is not why my family and I chose to do it. Aside from it just being an energizing and fun way to get around, riding our bikes practically every day, even for just 30 minutes, has a huge impact on our health and well-being. 

Many studies have discovered that just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can greatly improve you overall health. In a study conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), they found that:

"Physical inactivity had the strongest association with obesity at the population level for both men and women. The equivalent of 646,000 cases of obesity in women and 405,000 cases of obesity in men could be altered or averted if inactive populations became active." 

With obesity being link to illnesses like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, which is estimated to effect 1.8 million Canadians, it is imperative that an active lifestyle be promoted in a positively and accessible manner for all citizens. What this means for cycling is to stop advertising it as an unsafe way to travel. Statistics Canada found that in 2007, there were 65 cycling related fatalities (link here), whereas the latest statistics have found that in 2008, cardiovascular diseases accounted for more that 69,500 deaths in Canada (Heart and Stroke Foundation). While I don't think that premature death is something to make light of, the numbers clearly show that inactivity is far more dangerous to your health than riding a bike. 

Outside of physical well-being and reducing the risk of heart disease and obesity levels, exercise in general, whether that walking, running, riding a bike or whatever else you do, increases your brain's ability to focus. I mentioned back in October that my daughter's school participated in the Beat the Street Competition (post here), focused on increasing the percentage of children riding or walking to school to combat the growing childhood obesity levels worldwide. The teachers of the school noticed a side-effect of more students walking or riding their bikes to school, with the kids being more attentive and receptive to their lessons. In a study from the US, it was found that:

"second and third graders who got an extra 90 minutes of physical activity per week did better on a test of spelling, reading and math" (source: Reuters).

So while the debate and arguments rage on between motorists and those who ride bikes, maybe it's time that people, especially policy makers, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Riding a bike as a means of running small errands or commuting to work is a viable form of exercise, easily done by all citizens, regardless of their age, gender or class. By creating a more positive image of riding bikes, and toning down the rhetoric about how dangerous cycling is, it might just be possible to get more people riding bikes for non-recreational purposes. If the side-effects of increased cycling numbers is a reduction in obesity and the premature deaths caused by weight-related diseases, then this just seems like a no-brainer to me!