Today is Bike to School Day and I used that as motivation to make it my first bike to work ride this year as well. School is only a 2 mile ride from home but PBHQ is 13 miles from there so when you throw in the chaos of trying to get two small children out the door in the morning, my bike commuting days have been on hiatus for a few years. I recently put an electronic assist system on my kid hauling long tail bike thanks to the help of Madison’s new niche shop – The Cargo Bike Shop. Riding with the extra boost is amazing and now I look for any excuse to get out and ride. My bike isn’t exactly light and where I used to have to grind up the hills before I now just increase the assist a bit and pedal smoothly up them. This easy speed is addicting and fun and I don’t feel like I’m “cheating” in the slightest. Anything that gets you riding a bike more is all good in my book. This morning’s commute had me reveling in the fresh air and smiling at fellow cyclists and pedestrians. Bike commuting is such an amazing way to start the day. More than anything I love riding with my kids and showing them that the bike is the best way to get around town. My 4 year old has declared car rides to be boring compared to bike rides; my heart beams. Logistically I know I just can’t ride to work every day but I’ll shoot for a day or two a week and maybe that will increase as the routine becomes established. Life is certainly better by bike.