Name / Occupation / Age
Jeff Stanford/Clerk-Messenger and Tutor/54
What do you use your bike for?
Recreation/Exercise/Running errands
How often do you ride?
On weekends during good weather I’m on and off the bike all day. Not much during the week.
How long have you been commuting by bicycle and what made you decide to do it?
I would say that the main reason I don't commute by bike is because riding in city traffic can be a harrowing experience. In addition, if I have to pick up my daughter from day care, then I'd be riding with her on the back, which is a risk I would never be willing to take. If there were proper bike lanes throughout the city, as is the case in cities like Amsterdam, then I would consider going everywhere by bike, with or without my daughter.
What do you like about biking in Toronto?
And dislike?
I use the bike paths, primarily along the lake and up the Humber. I don’t like biking on city streets. I like the bike trails and have been on most of them across the city. Of course, there should be more of them.
Where is/are your favourite place(s) to bike in Toronto?
The Humber trail is my favourite, from the lake up to Raymore Park. I know it so well it’s like an old friend.
What's your favourite cycling street in Toronto?
My favourite street would have to be a street without cars. There aren’t any.
Scary bike stories?
I don’t ride enough on the streets to have had any life-threatening experiences. Or maybe I’ve just been lucky.
How could the City help you enjoy riding more?
By banning cars from streets.
How did you start biking?
I bought a bike when I was living in Montreal 25 years ago. I wanted to get to know the city. I was hooked from the get-go.
What sort of bike do you ride? A hybrid.
Helmet or no helmet?No helmet.
Bikelane or no bikelane?Either/both.
Anything else? Please feel free to rant and rave!
I love cycling. I never feel any better than when I’m riding. I’ve been taking my three-year-old daughter for rides (in a back-of-the-saddle bucket-seat), which is a particular delight. If the streets were safer, I’d ride more.
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