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!

Look beyond the surface...

Look at this photo. What do you see? I see a young girl smiling. I think to myself, she seems really happy. Maybe because it's summertime, or maybe it's because she has an awesome red bike. Perhaps she's excited because this is the first time she's ridden her bike without her parents holding on, or that she knows she's really close to getting rid of her training wheels. All I know is that she looks happy, and that's what matters.

Now look closer. Read deeper into this photo. See the young girl, around age six, who is well on her way to enjoying riding a bike for years to come. If she continues riding her bike often enough, she will be healthy and active, helping to keep illnesses related to inactivity away. I also see confidence, which will help her as she starts to navigate around the city she lives in, knowing she is capable of mapping out her path, finding the best route, and if she gets lost, she will calmly be able to figure out where to go next. I also see the parents behind the camera that are helping to nurture her and support her. Otherwise, this photo wouldn't even exist. 

One thing I don't notice, or at least I shouldn't care to notice, is that she isn't wearing anything protective. No helmet, no pads or armour. Just a girl riding her bike. Why isn't she wearing those things? Her parents must not feel that what she is doing is unsafe, and therefore doesn't require a ton of safety gear. They simply think that they learned to ride a bike when they were kids, and want to share this knowledge and experience with their own child. And they should be congratulated like any other parent for starting their kid on the right path to a happy and healthy childhood.

The sad truth is, though, that many people will look at this photo and get angry. They won't see the joy, the possibilities and the positivity about this young girl on a bike. They will simply see a child without a helmet and think that her parents are awful, irresponsible people, putting their child in danger by allowing her to do a perceived dangerous activity without protection. These people would rather see this girl travelling safely in a car, or not leaving the house at all, safe on her couch, than accept that the dangers of riding a bike are not as extreme as they have been made out here in North America.

Just last week, the Canadian Paediatrics Society called for legislation to mandate helmet use for all ages across Canada. The concern is for a reduction of concussions and other head injuries, most specifically amongst the young. Studies were discussed, saying that bicycle related injuries account for four per cent of emergency department cases. Sure, that's relevant, but how many of those were related to actual helmet usage. What I'm hearing is four out of one hundred child and youth emergency department cases are bike related. Let's face facts here. Overall, that is a really low percentage, which translates to me that riding a bike is really not that dangerous, even for the young.

Part of the reasoning for the recommendation, Paediatricians in the society say, is that in areas where there is mandatory helmet legislation, helmet usage is up. Well, of course it is. If you want to ride a bike but don't want to run the risk of being fined, do you really have a choice? The study I want to see is whether or not cycling rates in those areas also decreased as a result of the legislation. In Australia, where a mandatory helmet law has been in place longer than here in BC, this is what studies have found:

"As reported in March 2007 and based on data from Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria, the number of Australian children walking or riding a bicycle to school has plunged from about 80% in 1977 to the current level around 5%. The data confirms that in Western Australia, the decline of cycling began around 1991 when the helmet law was enacted." (Source)

What has been increasing in Australia are cases of childhood obesity, the rates of which tripled between 1985 and 1995. A survey from 2008 reported that one in four children aged 5-17 were overweight or obese. So while children may be safer while riding their bikes due to helmet usage, the helmet law has essentially detracted children and youth from riding, therefore increasingly their inactivity and risking their health. Surely the focus every where should be more on keeping kids active and healthy in their every day lives, instead of putting restrictions on the fun and easy ways they can do that. And if safety is such an important concern, which I don't disagree with, then padding our kids up with body armour isn't the answer. Instead, cities should be focused on creating better, safer infrastructure for all cyclists. Traffic calming, separated lanes and driver education will go much further to keep us and our children safe and get more people active and on a path to overall health and wellness.

This photo was taken nearly three decades ago, and if you haven't guessed by now, the girl in that photo is yours truly. I have been avidly riding my bicycle now for over 30 years. From riding around my neighbourhood as a kid with my friends, to the other side of my suburban home town to meet up with my teenage boyfriend, to today, riding with that same boy, now my husband, and my own children, I have never once thought what I was doing was too dangerous. I don't take risks while I'm on my bike, I refuse to "ride with the bulls", preferring to stay on quieter roads or streets where I am separated from the cars. But most importantly, I am still that young girl in the photo, simply on a bike, smiling and having fun, and that's what should matter most.

Staying Sane Amongst the Insanity

Seven years ago when my husband and I welcomed our first beautiful child into the world, life was instantly changed. We were faced immediately with all new challenges, strained and exhausted, and struggling to maintain composure as we stumbled through the first few days, weeks and months of parenting. When we decided to have children, we knew things would be different and we would have to change our lifestyle a bit. We did, however, make some important promises to ourselves in order to maintain some sanity while our lives as we knew them turned upside down. 

Lately I have been reminded over and over about one of those important promises. Our children are precious, and it is our job to protect them. In order to keep them safe, we took a page from our parents' book. We teach them to avoid dangerous situations, chastise them when they're being deliberately unsafe, and give them the knowledge they need to travel throughout their young lives relatively unharmed. What's crucial in not losing our minds with the stress of maintaining their safety is that once they've heard all of our lessons, we let them go, free to explore, to make mistakes, and to live up to the responsibilities we've allowed them.

A comment on my last post made aware of a story by Parachute Canada suggesting that children under the age of ten should not ride on the road because they don't have the mental awareness and capacity to ride amongst cars. As you are likely well aware, we ride on the road with our children all the time. We are acutely aware of dangers when riding on the road, which is why we stick to quieter streets and dedicated cycle tracks. That being said, how on earth will our children ever learn to look after themselves when they enter their independent teen years if we don't provide them with the skills they need while they are still young and willing to learn from their parents? Each trip we take with our children, whether riding bikes, walking or taking transit is an opportunity for us to make our children mindful of the obstacles they'll face when we are no longer at their side.

Photo courtesy of Mike Hollingshead

Just this past week was an example of how if I just let go and give a bit of freedom and trust, my children will be fine. Our daughter, for the second year, took part in her school's Cross Country team. Her participation meant two meets at John Hendry Park, and a race route that took her around the full length of Trout Lake and out of my sight. Instead of being worried about what may happen as some parents around me were, I knew my daughter was running with countless other children, with one focus, get to the finish line. She would not be stopping to talk to strangers along the way, and with the park being well populated with other people in the neighbourhood. I knew if she hurt herself, there would be plenty of kind people willing to lend a hand and that she would be ok. As I expected, she arrived red faced and beaming after both races, and knew to look for me as soon as she received her ribbon.

Whether being a spectator at my daughter's race, or travelling with my children throughout the city, I could expend so much mental energy worrying and stressing about their well being. With everything children get up to, I would genuinely go insane if I spent all my time thinking about the possible outcomes. Instead, I find it much healthier to accept that since July 2006, my husband and I have made it a point to teach our kids to be responsible. As a result, we trust them to make decisions that aren't going to put them in harm's way. It is inevitable that they will still make mistakes, but by focusing on the positives instead of the "what ifs", we get to enjoy every moment just a bit more. I will freely admit you need to be slightly unhinged to give up your own freedom to have children, willingly exposing yourself to sleepless nights, fighting siblings, and strained pocketbooks. So I will remain happily armed with the confidence that my kids have enough common sense to be smart and safe. Outside of that, there's always a nice glass of red wine to calm the nerves and keep me sane enough to deal with what lies ahead. After all, we're just six short years away from... the teen years!

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)

The hunt for the perfect bike - Kid's edition

After years of fixing up free bikes for my daughter, we are finally spending money on a brand new bike for her. Her current bike still works, and is the right size for her, but as out little girl becomes a more seasoned rider, she's starting to develop preferences, and knows what will be the most comfortable ride for her. So you would think that finding her a great new bike would be easy. Think again! 

There have been some specific requests from our daughter for her new bike. She wants gears, she doesn't want to lean forward but rather be more upright like mom and dad, and most of all, she wants her bike to be different and unique. The first request is pretty easy. Most kids' bikes, specifically in the 20" wheel variety, come with gear shifters. The problem is that most also come with suspension forks, a detail common in mountain bikes. This is an issue for two reasons. First, majority of the riding my daughter does is on paved pathways and city streets, so there's no need for suspension. Second, suspension usually means added weight. With her struggling to lift her current bike, a heavier bike would not be ideal, and even with the gears would make it harder for her on the occasions when she has to climb a hill. That just won't do at all.

Her second request, to be more upright, is also proving to be difficult when combining it with the request for gears. There are some fabulous upright choices out there, including the sleek Lil' Dutchi from Linus, the mini version of her dad's bike, but they all seem to be single speeds, with coaster brakes. I tend to think this style of bike would be the best for her, and not just because I have grown to really appreciate he beauty and simplicity of my own upright over the past year and a half. Think about it. Most children's first bike is a tricycle, a completely upright bike favoured because it is east to steer and pedal. They then switch to a run bike, again, sitting upright. My daughter is a seasoned rider, however she is the definition of a citizen cyclists, someone who uses a bike as a tool to get from point A to point B. So a utilitarian upright bike makes the most sense for her planned use.

Her final request is for her bike to be unlike anyone else's. We've done quite well so far with used bikes that are older, and needed a bit of rebuilding to make them perfect for her. Now that we're looking at new bikes, We are finding it quite difficult to find one that isn't similar or exactly the same as ones her friends have, or isn't pasted with licensed images. Many of the independent bike shops have very limited selection in younger kids bikes, and with the added pressure to get a bike that our son will want to ride when they've both grown up a bit, the standard pink bike just isn't going to cut it.

Well, after a couple weeks of searching, I am happy to say that we managed to get Coralie a bike that checks two of the three boxes. In order to get her an upright bike that was unique from any others she's seen, we had to forego the gears, with the promise that her next bike will likely have gears as she will almost be in adult sizes, or at the very least, a teenage size. With the help of our friends Chris and Nellija at Whoa! Nellie Bikes, Coralie is now the VERY proud owner of a shiny red Lil' Dutchi. She rode it right out of the shop and home with the biggest smile on her face, happy to know she got just what she was looking for, and we're happy to know we'll have many happy days of riding ahead!

One happy Junior Citizen Cyclist

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!

The Reality of a Car Free Existence Continued: The Unexpected Joys of Living Car Free

A photo from our car-free adventure in Portland, OR

On Wednesday I posted about the challenges we have faced as a family by no longer owning a car. My intention was to be as honest as possible about how our car free life has been difficult at times. Part of any decision making is to accept that you will face challenges along the way, but to also welcome the good surprises as well. Such has been our experience over the last four years. Even through all the stumbling blocks and changes to our lifestyle, there have been many unexpected benefits we could have never foreseen, and are grateful now to have been able to grow and learn so much.





We always knew that we would be saving money by selling our car. even though the car was fully paid for, and our gas usage was at a minimum, the insurance costs alone were quite staggering. At the time, we were paying about $200 a month in insurance fees, which works out to $2400 a year, which is nothing to sneeze at. As a young family, we've been able to put that money towards things like day camps and extra curricular activities for our kids, an expense most families struggle with. So I'm pretty grateful that we are able to keep that money in our pockets and use it for things that are much more rewarding than easier access to a car.

Physically speaking, my husband and I are probably the healthiest we've ever been. We haven't tracked our weight loss or physical agility over the course of the last few year, but I can say that I can easily ride 30 kms in a day, up and down hills that used to trouble me greatly, and the sorest part of my body is my bum from sitting on a bike seat for too long. As for our kids, we actually take for granted sometimes how active they are. But I can see the benefits. Just last fall, my daughter decided to join the Cross Country team at her school. I've never been a runner, nor my husband, and so I wasn't sure how our daughter would do. Turns out all the stamina she had built up riding her bike helped her to be one of the fastest in her grade level! 






I have always prided myself on being good at navigating, being the one who always read the map when we went on a road trip. When we moved to Vancouver, although I was in a larger city, I began living in a bubble, only knowing the areas I needed to go to, whether childcare, work or school. Riding my bike has broadened my horizons so much. I know the best bike routes to take to get to most points in the city, and the city now seems so much smaller and accessible. Then there's the fact that our kids have developed a good sense of direction, knowing where they are most of the time. My husband and I are so confident that when they are old enough to head off on their own, they'll have the confidence to know where they're going and how to stay safe.

Our bikes at our favourite place for a bike date

One of the biggest surprises I have found is that riding our bikes around town has become one of my favourite things to do. Not for exercise, but just as a way to connect with my family. I love hearing  my son squeal with excited when we travel downhill, and talking to my daughter about the things going on in her life. And I especially love the bike/beach dates my husband and I share in the summer. They're not extravagant, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend time together, riding along the water with the wind in our hair.

Living without owning a car may have it's own set of complications, but the rewards we have found during our car-free journey far outweigh any difficulty. I know we are doing the best that we can for ourselves and our children, as well as living more sustainably. Sure, there will always be times when we will think it would have been easier to drive, but if I did everything the easy way, I would not be the person I am today. So for now, I will continue to pedal on, enjoying every new challenge or success that comes our way!

A Car-Free Life

A couple weeks back I wrote about my family and I being the subject of a "point-of-view" documentary. We I'm pleased the share the end product - a lovely look into our little family life! 

A Car-Free Life from Brigitte Patenaude on Vimeo.

A short, point-of-view documentary on how a family of four can get from Point A to Point B by foot, bike, or public transit.

Director, Second Camera, Editor: Brigitte Patenaude
Producer, Transportation: Ian Deichen
Camera, Editor: Devon Mussett

A very Christmas-y kind of weekend

This weekend the Velo Family got right into the spirit. As you can imagine, with two young children, gearing up to Christmas can be an exercise in extreme patience for everyone. Every day, our six year old asks us how many more days until Christmas (15 if you're counting), and our four year old asks about three times a day when Santa will bring his presents. With kids this excited, it's near impossible to not start feeling pretty excited for Christmas day, but we helped it along with the start of some holiday activities all weekend long!

The busy Christmas Market

Friday evening we headed downtown to the Vancouver Christmas Market at the plaza at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Since November 24th, the plaza has been set up as a Bavarian Village, filled with vendors selling all sorts of Christmas crafts, as well as lots and lots of food! The highlight for the kids was a French Canadian treat of maple syrup candy, just like I used to have when I was a kid living in Ottawa, ON. Coralie and I also had the pleasure of riding the Carousel, while Etienne watched, claiming it was too fast. With a winter chill in the air and a clear night, the market was a perfect way to start a busy weekend of Christmas fun!

Coralie and I and our trusty, colourful, steeds

Etienne watching as we round and round

A beautiful, dry morning, complete with snow-capped mountains

Saturday we woke up to a dry, sunny day. The kids had their last swimming lessons of the season at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, and with no chance of rain, we hopped on our bikes and rode along the seawall. It was a little chilly, but after a few minutes of pedalling, we were all warmed up and enjoying a quite ride along the water there and back. Once we go home, I got into full baking/crafting mode to prepare for the Christmas Crafting party we were hosting for the kids and some of their friends the next day. With the kids' help, the kitchen was warm and welcoming all day as we baked our Candy Cane Cupcakes, made warm apple cider, and baked some salt dough decorations for painting the next day! 

Our Christmas cupcake creation!

Before the chaos. No action shots of the kids;
as you can imagine, it didn't stay this neat for long

Sunday proved to be a busy, Christmas-y day indeed. We woke up, got dressed up, and headed to Trout Lake Community Centre for the Annual Breakfast with Santa. Not only did we get to enjoy a pancake breakfast, complete with whipped cream, while Santa came round to say hello, but the kids also got to take part in some crafts, face painting, and the most exciting, a bouncy castle! Needless to say, it took great effort to get the kids to leave all the fun and excitement. Then it was time to set up for our crafting party. With the table stretched out as far as it would go, I got all the stations ready for our friends. The party was a lot of fun for everyone involved, and the kids (11 of them aged 3-6) got to make some fun and glittery decorations to take home to their trees. I may be tracking glitter around my house for the next few weeks, but it was worth it to share in their energy and excitement for the holidays!

Coralie's crafts from the day

Much fun, and glitter, was had!

Now, Monday morning, I sit recovering with a warm cup of coffee, still reeling from everything we got up to, and looking forward to yet another busy week of parties, visiting, and trying to teach the kids the value of patience as we wait for the big day. While it will be tiring, it's definitely a nice way to spend a time of year where we get a bit homesick for our family and friends back East. Christmas and the whole holiday season is a time when we cherish the new friends we've made on the West Coast, who are like our extended family, and when my husband, our children and I create new traditions that keep us busy well into the New Year!

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!

"Life's a great balancing act" - Dr Seuss

As a mom, life is hectic, not sometimes, pretty much all the time. Today, I had a little reminder that sometimes it's important to stop and take a moment to step back and look at my life and everything that is going on, after I showed up an hour late for my son's hour long art class, a highlight of his week. Now, sitting here writing this post, I realize I have reached maximum capacity, and it's time to start recognizing my limits. After all, one can only wear so many hats!

I have written before about being heavily involved with the Parent Advisory Council at my daughter's school, as well as just recently beginning work with a Fashion Sales Rep, which took me to Edmonton in September, and has kept me busy working from home since. I haven't, however, listed off all the extracurricular activities my kids take part in almost each day of the week. Nor should I, because my life is not dissimilar to most parents I know; it seems there are never enough hours in the day.

The greatest test is being sure everything is balanced, and that as a parent, you take time for you, too. Recognizing you're overwhelmed is hard, and usually doesn't happen until after the fact. When it does, though, taking time for simple pleasures like a warm bath or a cup of coffee, or even going for a solo bike ride, are small things that cost little to no money. It's also very important for couples to take time away from being parents together. Setting aside the time and money for a night off with childcare can sometimes seem like more trouble than it's worth, but believe me, that time is worth more than you can ever imagine. Not only do you get to reconnect with your partner without having to keep one eye on your kids, but you appreciate the nice times you have with your children, making the arguments, misbehaviour and stress seem to fade away.

Being a parent is hard work, just ask any of your childless friends who listen as you list off all of your many daily and weekly tasks. They see the stress in our faces, and many of my friends marvel at how I find the energy to get up in the morning sometimes. It's all about balance, and after being reminded today that I was about to lose my balance, I'm off to rest, recoup, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee!

"So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains." Oh, Dr Seuss, such a wise man!

Quotation from Dr Seuss' "Oh The Places You'll Go"