My daily commute

I used to think riding bikes was only for kids and for fun. Now I see the bicycle as a form of transportation, recreation, fitness and meditation.

I grew up in Los Angeles, Calif. At age 14 my parents moved to the suburbs. That was a life changer. I went from the inner city to a predominantly white school and community. My parents had prepared me for this transition by raising me to be aware of my skin color and how some people will make prejudgements about me. Soon, that all began to sink in.

I started racing BMX and mountain biking in Southern California during the 80s. The sport was not very diverse, but I really enjoyed competing with my peers. I do recall the looks I got for being the only person of color; or for having the make-shift bike, while my white peers were flaunting their new polished Diamond Backs GTs and Haros. Comments like, “what’s he doing here?” or “shouldn’t you be playing basketball?” were very confusing to me; I was not raised that way. Knowing that I wasn’t accepted pushed me to compete even harder, but it was exhausting.

My parents supported me in following my passion, but I did not feel welcomed. I dropped the bike and got into football. On the Gridiron I felt welcomed, and the camaraderie helped shaped my values. The feeling of being an outsider still came up, just not as often.

Twenty-two years later, I decided to get back on the bike. My employer at the time supported cycling, and most of our staff commuted to work by bike daily. I was inspired. I bought my first road bike (Raleigh SuperCourse steel frame) and it was on! I rode that thing everywhere. I fell in love with biking again. This new bicycling culture embraced me and supported me, and that felt awesome.

To this day, I am still reminded that at times, I will be the only one.

I hear unconscious racial bias from my own people — things like, “blacks don’t ride bikes; or if they do, they are not cool or they are poor.”

A few years ago I was chased, run off the road and had racial slurs screamed at me while mountain biking in North Bend.

So I know we still have a long way to go.

Despite these discouraging events, I refuse to give up the thing that I love again, my bicycle.

This is my daily commute as a Black man.

My daily commute

By Ed Ewing, Major Taylor Project Director

Like Rich, I experience the isolation, the looks and the slurs.

On Monday, April 25, I was reminded of my skin color and racism with a slur yelled from a person driving by in West Seattle. I was just riding my bike, enjoying my day, pedaling to my home, just like you.

Like Rich, I dismiss ignorance and hate with every pedal stroke and refuse to give up the thing that I love, the bicycle. This too, is my daily commute as a Black man.

We believe stories are powerful, and we’d like to hear yours. To share your daily commute story, visit cascade.org/your-story or share on Twitter or Instagram with #mydailycommute and tag us @cascadebicycle.