After exactly five years since our last in-person event, BIKE MINDS returned to the physical stage on Tuesday January 28, 2025 in Ottawa, in the cozy, intimate setting of the Ottawa Bike Café. Here’s a recap written by our volunteer Suzanne.
I really enjoyed the Bike Minds session last night. I felt like, if we had heard the stories in advance we might have chosen a different theme title called “Changing Our Path”. All of the speakers shared their life journeys, with a notable mention to how cycling contributed to changing a potential path that they were happy to diverge from.
Gene, mentioned how fixing his bike wheel, out of desperation and lack of funds, as a teenager got him a job and exposed him to a different community that might have contributed to saving him from a life of crime. HIs gratitude and joy with finding his people in the cycling community, and having some fun adventures, were evident in the big smiles shown on every one of his slides.
It was wonderful meeting everyone on Tuesday. Great blog as well. I look forward to the next event. – Gene
River shared their journey of discovery through, riding long distances to manage their anxiety and substance abuse to embracing life as a non-binary person with ADHD and Autism. They reflected on being vulnerable, but feeling at home with their new identity and discoveries through bikepacking and unicycling.
Cassie talked about recognizing transportation inequity when she became a mom, and started trying to navigate the city with a stroller and small children. This led her to returning to school to get her masters and becoming a cargo-bike riding, transportation equity advocate with organizations such as Kidical Mass, For Our Kids Ottawa, and School Streets Ottawa.
Thanks to the whole Bike Minds team for a really well-run event. I thought the atmosphere was perfect and appreciated lots of great conversations after the stories.
And thanks to the other storytellers. I really appreciated hearing your stories and being able to share the stage with you. See you out on the bike paths! – Cassie
Mike’s path correction is ongoing. He is biking away from cancer. Mike shared his story of an ordinary life, interrupted by cancer, and how cycling may have saved him once, and hopefully twice. In the face of a devastating diagnosis, cycling gave him something that he could control and is here to tell us his story.
Good news! We are now planning our next BIKE MINDS Ottawa event. Join our mailing list to hear about it first, and feel free to submit your own story at any time.
BIKE MINDS 