Last weekend, I did take it out in the evening. I headed on the new Central Valley Greenway which meant riding down Columbia and past the hospital in Sapperton. Then, the path veers to the back side of Hume Park and crosses North Road. Following the river through the woods proved effortless. On both tar and gravel the City45 handles well. I had walked along some sections of this trail in the past. Quietly being whisked through the scenery by battery was a new pleasure though. I passed Cariboo Road and then ventured into completely unknown territory. I had no idea the trail system around Burnaby Lake was so immense. I rode and rode. The Greenway is not posted well along here. In fact, it was often hard to tell whether I should've even been on a bike as some trails were posted for pedestrians only. Eventually, I made it to a parking lot. I had to ask someone for directions. Who knew I could be lost so relatively close to home. Or wait, was I close to home? I had already travelled to the Sperling Skytrain station. Not wanting to retrace the trip, and as it was getting late, I crossed the brand-new bike bridge and returned home via the SkyTrain. Bicycles can use the back cars during non-peak hours, and although the Ecoped City45 doesn't look much like a bicycle, it is classed that way. Mine proved its reliability as dependable, two-wheeled transportation.
Even this morning, I took the little orange machine out. I wanted to get a better feel for riding around my city. New Westminster has some hills too steep for a 500 watt bike but I am getting the hang of how it handles. I stopped by the new outdoor swimming pool at Moody Park, buzzed around Queen's park and made a 9:50 appointment with my doctor for a prescription renewal.
At first riding the machine was disquieting. It looks like a scooter, but it really is more akin to being on a bicycle. Luckily the same laws affect me too so I don't have to register it.