I just biked after the first snow on our family鈥檚 electric cargo bike, and I鈥檓 planning to continue to ride through the winter with my kids.
Additional maintenance and caution are required during winter months, as are studded snow tires and bar mitts for the bike, plus what鈥檚 often thought of as 鈥渟ki gear鈥� - balaclavas, goggles, and snow suits - for us.
But we鈥檙e ready to embrace a 鈥渃an-do鈥� attitude with our bike as a vehicle both for transportation and for enhancing our community connections - because purchasing an 鈥渆-bike鈥� and downsizing to one car for the family last summer has been a game-changer.
We鈥檝e already put more than 750 miles on the bike and it鈥檚 now the main mode of transport for the children and me - they鈥檙e now 5 and 18 months - both because my wife commutes 20 miles by car and because I love getting around by bike.
Our kids love it, too.
In the car, there鈥檚 notably more complaining and disappointment, and my younger daughter will insist on clambering into her bike seat before she鈥檒l go inside.
As a climate activist, I鈥檓 always looking for ways to reduce my consumption of fossil fuels - a primary factor in the decision to become a one-car family.
But now it鈥檚 less about what we鈥檝e given up - namely the convenience of having two cars and the ease of traveling from point a to b - than having gained the pure, simple fun of being outdoors together; magical encounters with a doe, her fawn, and flock of bluebirds; my child鈥檚 exuberant greetings for everyone we pass along our bike routes, including other bike commuters, families walking to school, and the 鈥淏iscuit Guy鈥� at his food truck.
Add to this saving money on gas and car insurance, no more feeding meters - or accruing parking tickets - and fewer traffic headaches.
Throughout this transition to e-biking, I鈥檝e received support from our friend, Dave Cohen, founder of VBike whose mission it is to make bikes 鈥渕ore relevant for Vermonters and to encourage healthy bodies, vibrant communities and a sustainable vision for our planet.鈥�
By choosing to bike instead of drive - sun warmed, rain soaked, and wind cooled - we鈥檙e choosing a different way of being in the world; not changing the world perhaps, but changing our family鈥檚 connection to it.
My younger daughter鈥檚 choice is already clear - calling for 鈥済oggles鈥� as soon as we head for the door.
