June 29th, 2012 - Today was the first day of the summer holidays, and the
beginning of a new adventure. It marks the start of my plan to document my
summer at home with my two children, Coralie, who turns 6 in August, and
Etienne, our rambunctious 3.5 year old. The goal is to show us enjoying life in
Vancouver, doing what we do best, getting out on our bikes like it is the
completely normal activity it should be. I heard an interesting comment from
the CBC’s Stephen Quinn this week: “Cycling is fantastic... For people who
don’t have to drop kids of at school and pick up groceries on the way home.” I
have spent the last two years doing exactly what he says is impractical, and I
think almost anyone else can. Read on and find out how I do it…
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Parked
and ready to shop at our local market
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Like every day, we started early, since the
children never seem to want to sleep in. But I won’t lie, I was pretty excited
because I had the unique opportunity to test out a Trio Bike Mono on loan from
Mikael Coville-Andersen and Copenhagenize for the day. So once we said
goodbye to Daddy, and finished our breakfast, I took two curiously excited
children down to our storage garage to show them how we were going to get around
for the day. Then it was off to the grocery store for our weekly shop, done as
most weeks, by bike.
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Heading
home, bags at their feet full of groceries
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Needless to say, in a
city not exactly used to this new style of Cargo bike from the UK, we got some
funny looks, both amused and curious. But it certainly did the trick in
allowing us to doing what we always do, live easily while cycling and being
car-free.
Then
it was off to meet Daddy for lunch. Using some of Vancouver dedicated bikeways,
I headed out with the kids in the Trio once again. This is just another normal
day for us, but with a new toy. I know many families who do their daily errands
with their children in tow, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle. I think, no
matter how you do it, involving your children in your day to day activities is
a great way to have them feel like they are a positive, helpful member of their
family, and gives them a great sense of responsibility and pride.
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Just
arriving at Daddy’s work for a lunch date
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Still, one of the greatest things I find about doing this while
on our bikes, is that the kids see so much of their surroundings clearly and
not from behind glass and steel. I felt such pride and joy on our ride to meet
Daddy and then downtown to help set up for the Vancouver Cycle Chic Social
listening to my children react to all the sights along the way, and couldn’t
hide my smile when Etienne shouted out, “Wow! I can see everything!” It brings
to light something I think a lot of people take for granted rushing from one
destination to another, and that’s is simply enjoying the journey. Just like
the anecdote that you should enjoy ever moment with your children, good or bad,
because it goes by so fast, it is surprising what you can miss in your
neighbourhood and city if you never take the time to enjoy your surroundings.
My
busy day ended with a fantastic evening at the Cycle Chic Social. It is truly
inspiring to be in a room full of people hoping to make a positive change in
our city. With the Velo-city Conference in town, as well as Mikael
Coville-Andersen being in town for a Copenhagenize lecture the night before, it
was a packed house of stylishly dressed cycling and non-cycling people from all
over the world. It made me so hopeful and excited that my family are on the
right path, enjoying life, each other, and living happily…on our bikes!
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Making
new friends at the Cycle Chic Social
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