St. Thomas couple Mark Fagan and
Rachel Chandler are enthusiastic road
cyclists, riding to work in London two or three
times a week during the good weather months.
driving are huge problems. Having paved shoulders on the roads would solve a lot of the problem,” he explains. Both couples agree that along with the wellness benefits, having the shared activity is a boon to their respective relationships. Dr. Harry Prapevessis, director of the Exercise and Health Psychology Lab at Western University, agrees with Fagan and hopes that city planners will plan for enhanced road spaces for those who want to pursue the active transportation option that a bike gives them. “Europe has set the bar so high for what a cycling community looks like,” says Prapavessis, adding that the infrastructure there for biking is very advanced when compared to
INTO BIKES Now in its fifth year, the Big Bike Giveaway was started by Monica and Shayne Hodgson. The London couple accepts donated bicycles, fixes them and gives them to those who need/want a bike. Since 2014, they have given away 750 bikes. This year’s event will be held on September 30 at the Boyle Community Centre. Financial support comes from the City of London, London Police Association, Tricar Group and Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving. They welcome more sponsors and are also in need of expertise in helping to fix bikes, as well as volunteers to help on event day. To celebrate Big Bike Giveaway’s anniversary, they are promoting a new bike registry service in London. “We hope to improve the responsibility of bike owners, decrease the number of bike thefts and increase the number of recovered stolen bikes,” says Monica Hodgson. To donate bikes, events are being held in and around the city: June 10 at Ingersoll Community Centre, July 8 at White Oaks Mall, on August 12 at Boyle Community Centre and on September 9 at Argyle Mall. To claim a free bike, you must be at the September 30 event. Each person can only receive one bike and volunteers size bikes to recipients. The first lot of bicycles are reserved for those who are currently working with community agencies. The others are given away on a first come, first served basis so arriving early is advised.
that of North American cities, which are focused on automobile transportation. Besides casual and road cyclists, there are those who love the rough terrain they experience when doing the 20-kilometre bike trail around Fanshawe Lake. Others are road racing cyclists who crave competition. There is a different type of bike to enhance the experience no matter what style of cycling suits you. From fat bikes (those with wider tires for rough terrain) to road bikes for endurance riding to highbred bikes, which Sheri Laidlaw, owner of To Wheels, says are the most popular, there is the perfect ride for every cyclist. ● FOR MORE INFORMATION “Bikes are better now. For instance Bike Bike Giveaway • 519-200-5496 women’s bikes aren’t just smaller and donate@bigbikegiveaway • www.bigbikegiveaway.ca pink; they areDrlighter with better Moore.pdf 10/30/11 12:52:07 PM
NEW & USED BIKES • Norco • Genesis • Haro • Hutch • Biria • Evo • Stolen • DCO • Seven Peaks
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May/June 2018
Lifestyle 47