Ok, time for a confession.
I absolutely could not, singlehandedly, care for a child, dog, or have a life in general, AND be car-free. No way. Well, I could try… give it a real go… but I can pretty clearly see myself utterly failing.
Let me introduce my better half, Scott. Partner, lover, friend, and now papa/father… but most importantly, for the purpose of this post ***insert godsend music, angels singing etc. here***: cyclist extraordinaire. What started merely as his high school crush— working at a local bike shop (Speed River Bicycle) and mountain bike racing on Sundays— eventually grew into a full blown love affair— including seven years as a bike mesenjero in Barcelona, riding the roads and trails on his time off, and winning messenger races on weekends. This 36 year-old is Ontario vehicle license-free… and wears it like a badge. (Ok, full disclosure: he does now have his G1 and practices driving with his mom).
If ever we are short of laundry detergent, onions, dog food, or what have you, no matter the hour, weather, or mood, he is willing to make the trip out on his fixed gear, mountain bike, or winter beater, to make it happen. No load is ever too heavy nor any destination ever too far. I do not believe by any stretch of the imagination, that just ANYBODY is willing and able to perform these daily tasks on two wheels, in all seasons... and it is primarily because of his compulsive inclination to bike, bike, bike that we are able to remain car-free, free, free. Thank you, Scotty!
Barcelona messenger photos courtesy of Edwin Toone Photography