June Cycling Superstar - Michael Zheng

By Dorothy Yeung

June, 2023

Summer has arrived and many people start biking around their neighborhood to enjoy the nice summer breeze. However, there’s one person who has been ahead of the game – meet Michael, the bike commuter who never lets the changing seasons interrupt his daily pedal-powered commute!

Michael Zheng is an enthusiastic biker and employee of AMD Markham, a Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill workplace. Come rain or shine, Michael has dedicated himself to biking to work five days a week since August 2022. He embraces the cold Canadian winters and braves the rain as long as the roads are clear and safe to bike.

He shared with Smart Commute MRH about his inspiration to cycle, the preparations for his commute, the challenges encountered, and tips for people who plan start biking to and from work.

Inspiration to start biking to and from work:

Michael realized that biking to work was a practical choice when he was contemplating his commuting options since he has previous experience biking in traffic during his university times. He decided to do a trial run biking and it confirmed that biking to work was not only feasible but also enjoyable and not overly strenuous. Moreover, Michael’s workplace, AMD Markham provides indoor bicycle parking spaces which encourages him to implement this commute style. Biking to work has become his primary mode of transport for his daily commutes as he appreciated the fun, exercise, and cost-effectiveness that biking offers.

Tips to get prepared when biking in different seasons:

Preparation is very important for Michael to bike in different seasons. He believes in having a set of fenders on one’s bike to deflect the water that would otherwise splash onto your back, a waterproof jacket, and a waterproof bag to keep you and your belongings dry during rainy days. In addition, as winter sets and daylight diminishes, having a reliable set of lights becomes essential. It helps to illuminate your path and surroundings and also enhances your visibility to other road users.

Challenges encountered and how to overcome them:

Biking to work can seem difficult to begin but Michael believes that doing a “trial” bike ride really helps him better understand the time and the feasibility of him biking to work. Challenges were unavoidable when he started biking, for example getting flat tires which caused him to walk his bike back home. Through these experiences, he thinks carrying repair tools is key to preparing for any sudden incidents.

More tips for others who plan to try biking to and from work:

Michael also shares his tips for others who plan to try biking to and from work. He suggests starting small, making yourself comfortable during the bike ride, and not putting so much pressure on oneself is critical when starting biking to work. For example, if the distance is too far to bike the entire journey, combining cycling with public transit can be a practical solution. It is essential to make oneself comfortable and safe during the journey. Sometimes, slightly longer routes that involve side streets or scenic trails and avoiding crossing busy highways can be helpful for beginners. Lastly, it is ok to choose to cycle only on the days when you feel like it and choose other modes of transportation when you don’t feel like biking. Factors like weather, fatigue, and other circumstances can influence your decision. Making biking to work an enjoyable activity instead of pressuring yourself to bike under any circumstances is critical when starting biking to/from work.

Michael’s story is a true inspiration and together we make biking a fun and sustainable activity! By participating in our Bike Month trip logging contest with the SmartCommute.ca app, (Download iOS and Android) not only do you make biking a part of your daily routine, but you can also get a chance to win exciting prizes! For additional info please click here. Once again we thank Michael for sharing his biking story with Smart Commute MRH.

For more cycling tips and related information, please follow SCMRH’s Instagram and Facebook @smartcommutemrh and visit our website smartcommute.ca