Commuter Stories: Daniel Johnson

Photo of Chahalem Ridge Nature Park by Daniel Johnson, captured during a recreational bike ride.

We're happy to present our interview with Daniel Johnson. Daniel is a long-time user of transportation options and recently won our Commuter Kickbacks raffle prize for logging trips on GetThereOregon.org! Daniel shares some great advice on how to persevere when using a new mode of transportation gets tricky. 
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How long have you been using transportation options to commute?
I've always walked, biked, or ridden TriMet to get to work; around 28 years in total.

What is your preferred way of getting around?
When I can, I like to bike wherever I need to go; though, many destinations have a lack of secure bike lockup options. In cases where I can't be sure of secure bike lockup points or when my destination is outside of the westside area (like Portland or the zoo), I opt for TriMet and my feet to get me there and back.

What do you like most about it [biking]?
As someone who doesn't drive, these are really my only options; but I do enjoy biking, both for commuting and for recreation, as it allows me to ride backroads and cut through neighborhoods. It might take a little longer to get where I'm going, but it tends to be quieter.

Have you encountered any challenges and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge over the years has been grocery shopping. At different points, I have ridden over-ladened bikes or carried heavy loads of groceries to get the week's shopping home. I guess I never really 'overcame' that challenge; rather, I just pushed through and made due with what I had.

Over the past two years, an e-bike with panniers has helped tremendously in overcoming the challenges of transporting shopping home, but a regular bike/e-bike still struggles to carry a week's worth of groceries for two people. With the increasing options of cargo e-bikes; however, it does seem like it is a challenge which could be overcome with investment into such a bike. I actually see a number of longtail cargo e-bikes and a few front load cargo e-bikes around Beaverton, which makes me hopeful for the trend to catch on more. 

What advice would you give to someone using a new mode of transportation?
Make a commitment to the option chosen and stick to it. Don't feel defeated if you're not able to keep it up every day, so long as you keep trying, you'll eventually form the habit of using the new transport method. Most importantly, plan accordingly and budget enough time for the new transport method so you arrive at your destination with time to spare. 

What's the most fun thing you've experienced using transportation options? 
When biking, recreationally or for commuting, it is always fun to see other people biking and what kind of bike they're using. When I'm out on a recreational ride and have stopped for a rest, I often get questions about the e-bike I ride (Riese and Müller Superdelite) and get a chance to talk with non-bike riders about different models and options available to get into riding e-bikes. I don't know if my interactions with people in this manner has inspired any of them to buy a bike or e-bike and get out riding, but I hope it has.