ChiWhoBike #3

Published September 27, 2023
A man sits on an ebike playing a guitar. They have black curly hair, light skin and a mustache, and are sitting on a silver Rad Power Bikes bike with a long brown bench seat and a middle storage box. They're wearing a black sweater and green pants with grey shoes, and the bike is in front of a retail building with lots of posters on the glass. A white helmet with red and blue stripes running down the center is hanging from the handlebars.

One of the things I hear from a lot of people is they think biking it’s about fun, it’s about exercise, and it’s like, no, this is legitimate transportation. I’m using this bike, you saw me with my guitar on the back, I’m taking this bike from client, to client, to client. I’m going around giving lessons or I’m going to work, it’s a real commuter thing. I think also there’s this stereotype of cyclists being the most angry person on the road. And while I definitely feel like, you know, it’s good to be chill and relax, but at the same time they are kind of the ones with the most to lose. If you’re a driver and you don’t see a bike you’re gonna have maybe a scratch on your car, and the cyclist is going to have a completely different story.

I think the other thing especially with cars is just like parking. I just park right there! I don’t have to be circling around a million years. When I worked at The Frances Xavier Warde School in West Loop, people paid $200 a month for their parking pass - I just went into the school and parked under the stairs. It’s like okay this is faster than a car, it’s easier to park, I love it.

The same man sitting on his bike with a wide grin, their sunglasses flipped down and helmet on, with their guitar case strapped to the back of the bike. In the background you can see the same building with 'Emerald City Coffee' legible.
Back to All Interviews