Meet our Spring Super Commuter Pablo Toral

Pablo Toral has traveled the world as a social scientist with a deep passion for environmental studies. No matter where his work or curiosity has taken him, the bicycle has always been one of his favorite ways to connect with a place. From the Atlantic rainforest of Northern Spain to the corn fields of Southern Wisconsin, his journey to becoming a Planet Bike Super Commuter is shaped by learning, meeting new people, and exploring the environment around him.    

Pablo grew up in a rainy region of Northern Spain, where riding a bike was as natural as walking. His father taught him to ride at the age of three, and he has been pedaling ever since. He recalls that “Bikes gave me the independence that I needed as I was growing up to be comfortable on my own and with friends.” The bike became the tool that helped him expand his “natural habitat,” both socially and physically, as he ventured farther from home and deeper into the landscapes that shaped his childhood.

Although Spain was home through his youth and early adulthood, Pablo’s academic path has taken him across the globe. He has lived in England, Central and South America, Colorado, and Florida. In every new city, he found that riding a bike helped him settle in quickly. It allowed him to cover more ground, meet people, and understand the rhythms of a place. Whether navigating dense urban neighborhoods or quiet rural roads, the bicycle has been his constant companion and a reliable way to feel connected.

Pablo eventually landed in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he is now a professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies at Beloit College. His global travels have given him a wide range of commuting experiences, but Beloit holds a special charm. As he puts it, “the small size of the town makes everything accessible to bikers” such as the downtown landmarks, public buildings, parks, and shopping districts. The scale of the city makes riding practical, enjoyable, and full of variety.

Pablo embraces the full range of Wisconsin weather. He believes that “every season has amazing opportunities for biking” and encourages others to see the beauty in each one. Beloit offers multiple ways to get across town, and he loves that each route feels different depending on the time of year. Sometimes those rides even come with unexpected gifts. “Every now and then I am treated to priceless surprises, just like yesterday, when a flock of chatty Canada geese flew over me and showed me the way to my office. What an experience!”

Pablo keeps his commuting setup simple. He rotates between a road bike and a mountain bike, choosing whichever feels right that day. His favorite piece of gear, aside from his helmet, is the bike itself. “It allows me to slowly transition to and from work; to experience different types of weather; the changes from season to season; the beauty of the river and the historic downtown area and so much more.” His advice to new commuters is equally simple: “Just go.”

Pablo is deeply committed to the communities he lives in. In Beloit, he volunteers with the Rock Trail Coalition, serves on the board of the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation, and participates in local planning efforts to improve active transportation. He is also a steady voice for safer streets, always ready to talk with drivers and neighbors about sharing the road.

Pablo believes the bike is far more than a way to get from one place to another. For him, it is a daily invitation to slow down, pay attention, and feel rooted in the world around him. It helps him connect with himself on quiet morning rides, with the environment as he watches the seasons shift, and with the community he cares so deeply about. Whether he is pedaling along the river, greeting neighbors downtown, or joining local efforts to build a more bike friendly future, Pablo shows how a simple ride can strengthen the fabric of a place. Congratulations, Pablo. You are a Planet Bike Super Commuter.