I am totally besotted with cycling around Toronto in the springtime.

Anyone who doubts the wonderfulness of cycling as a means of transportation has *clearly* not ever ridden around central Toronto, with fresh eyes, in mid-May.

There are many, many trees lining the streets (really! next time you fly into Pearson, marvel at how green this city actually is from above), many neat old buildings, many interesting people to smile at, and many cute parks to cut through.

There are ample bike lanes, and few hills.

There are cyclists of every stripe, from hipsters on cruisers, to scruffy people on beaters, to hardcores on hot bikes, to couriers on fast bikes who do things in traffic that I will likely never dare to do. Anything goes, and anyone is welcome.

All that shitty Toronto traffic? Largely not your problem while on a bike. Ditto for parking.

I have been a regular cyclist for 8 years now, 2 of them in Victoria and 6 in Vancouver. I have always believed in it as a good means of transport, providing exercise while reducing environmental impact. All that said, I have to admit that my genuine enjoyment and enthusiasm had waned in the past two years. The love was kind of fading.

But learning my way around Toronto by bike has brought it back, and I am stoked! So I am going to enjoy every moment of it before it gets swelteringly hot and humid... and then I'm going to keep trying to enjoy it. In less clothing.

See you on the streets!

All Good.
Originally uploaded by sarahfelicity.

Yesterday, me and Ivan, who is hanging out in Vancouver for a couple days after Web of Change, rented E-Bikes from Citybiker and rode around the SeaWall. Dude!

I had a compact little number that can ride some 55km on one battery charge, and Ivan opted for the monster chopper with flames on the side. Check it:

Seriously, I think electric bikes are way to go, for a whole lot of people. It's super-fun, a whole lot easier than pedalling, and way better for the ol' environment than a scooter or motorbike. Get some good raingear and you're good to go! Prices seem reasonable to me... just under a $1000 for your average bike (which is about 2 months of car payments, is it not?)

Give it a whirl! I could definitely get used to the assisted uphills. :)

I was asked by the fine folks at BEST to blog about this... so here you go! If you live in Vancouver and you own a bike, why not come along for the ride this Saturday?

A flat, direct ride from Vancouver to Burnaby
Trout Lake Park (east of 14th and Victoria) to Willingdon (1.5 to 2 hours round trip)

Registration at 9am
Staggered ride times start at 10am
Return trips start at 1pm

More information: 604-669-2860
www.best.bc.ca

Remember to wear a helmet!