#bikesgv

James Chaves

41, Teacher, Pico Rivera

1) Describe your relationship with your bike.

I enjoy riding my bike so much that I did it all year long in 2017. I didn't miss a day. Rain or shine, I rode my bike. I rode here, I rode there, I rode it everywhere. I even started my own hashtag #onmybike365. It was a personal challenge and I'm proud of accomplishing it.

2) Why do you ride your bike? What are your main motivations?

I ride my bike for many reasons: 

1) to stay healthy 

2) to commute to work 

3) to raise money for different causes 

4) to help others in need and to inspire and motivate others to ride 

5) to meet people and

6) to see how far I can make it on my bike. 

3) Describe one of your earliest cycling memories- how did you get started?

I got my first bike when I was five years old for Christmas in Colombia. I also remember riding my pop’s road bike once I outgrew my bike. I had a blast on my bike as a child.

4) Favorite place you’ve ever biked- a) in the SGV? b) elsewhere?  

I make the best of it and enjoy riding everywhere I go. If we go out of town, I make sure to take our bikes to explore. One of my favorite trails was from Ojai to Ventura.

5) What do you envision a more sustainable SGV to look like and include in the next 5 years?

Jen Pizzolo

47, Development & Outreach at Sustainable Claremont, Upland

1) Describe your relationship with your bike.

Ever since I was a young child, my bicycle meant freedom. It still does! It's exhilarating to ride through new cities and towns and go exploring. I've bicycled all over the US, Europe and even in Russia! There's no better way to get to know a place and meet people.

2) Why do you ride your bike? What are your main motivations?

I love to go exploring on my bike. I discover so many hidden treasures! As much as possible, I use my bicycle to run errands in order to keep my car off the road so I don't contribute to pollution. My dream is to one day ditch my car forever! Riding my bike keeps me young at heart and also keeps me active. I feel so much healthier when I'm outside in the sunshine, pedaling fast, breathing deeply, feeling the beating of my heart. And for a moment or two, I feel like I'm actually flying!

3) Describe one of your earliest cycling memories- how did you get started?

As a child, my bicycle was my main form of transportation. My grandmother took care of me most of the time, and she didn't drive. So, if I wanted to go to a friend's house, I needed to get there myself. As a teenager and into my early twenties, every job I had needed to be within biking distance because I couldn't afford a car. My bike has always been my ticket to freedom, independence and self-determination.

4) Favorite place you’ve ever biked- a) in the SGV? b) elsewhere?  

My favorite group to ride with in the San Gabriel Valley is Bike SGV. Even on my very first ride when I didn't know anyone, they made me feel at home. They make every ride feel like a party! My favorite ride so far has been the Spooky Bike Train right before Halloween. I brought my dad with me on this ride and we had so much fun.  

5) What do you envision a more sustainable SGV to look like and include in the next 5 years?

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.

As part of an ongoing research project exploring the challenges and motivations for cycling perceived by women who bike in the San Gabriel Valley, BikeSGV Women on Wheels interviewed women bicyclists about their bicycling experiences. This photo series represents the voices of women who bike in an effort to encourage more women to get out and ride.