We are LCL: Bonnie Lee

A better cycling city — and world — with Bonnie Lee!

From an interview by Ben Durham

As an early London Cycle Link board chair, Bonnie helped the organization take shape as a nonprofit and obtain the City of London grant that allowed the Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op to be established. As part of a small, tight-knit group of cycling enthusiasts, advocates and organizers, Bonnie helped to make our current-day LCL and Squeaky Wheel possible. 

LCL: What made you get involved with LCL and Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op?

BL: I used to ride (to work), from Wharncliffe south of Horton, up to Fanshawe and Wonderland. And anyone who lives in London knows there’s no nice way to cover that distance (on a bike). It was highly frustrating, and I used to complain a lot about the ride.

And then I had my first child (in 2012). I wanted to continue to ride. I found a place in Burlington that imported (cargo) bikes from the Netherlands, and I said, “this is so expensive, but I’m just gonna give it a try.” So I went, and we went for a test (drive), and I strapped my daughter in, and she was so thrilled – like, squealing – because it was so exciting to feel the wind on her face as we were ripping around this little parking lot. And I said, “How can I not get this bike?” 

I would ride and bring her to daycare, and parts of that ride were on the TVP, which was lovely, and the parts that were not on the TVP were horrible. And I hated that. I hated that I didn’t feel safe with my child riding a very short distance in the city. So that was a spark, or a catalyst to do more than just complain. Definitely having children changed my perspective a little bit more. So that’s how I started (with LCL).

Photo by Molly Miksa

LCL: What are some recent cycling developments that excite you?

BL: (Since the pandemic) people are realizing there is lots to discover within their immediate vicinity. And that’s where cycling can really be an eye-opener, when you can go with your whole family safely to these really cool places where you have great experiences. I’m hopeful that we’ll start to see communities start to build out and connect better. 

In my neighbourhood, having the north branch TVP connected is a game-changer. When that opened, the amount of pedestrian and cycling traffic on there was phenomenal. It actually gave me goosebumps the first time I rode down. I said, “This is what we’ve been talking about, to see people out and about, being active, being in nature.” I sense that that’s going to continue.

LCL: What would you want the average non-cyclist to know about cycling?

BL: Cycling infrastructure is not just for cyclists. When there is safe cycling infrastructure on our roads it benefits everybody, because it’s easier for drivers to drive knowing exactly where cyclists are, it’s easier for cyclists to ride because they’re protected from vehicles that can kill them, and when more people ride, there are fewer cars on the road, and people move in any method of transportation more efficiently. The goal of cycling infrastructure is not just to give cyclists a nice way to get around the city, it’s a way to help everybody get around the city more safely.