Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO/File

Ok. Many moons back, this beach walker in his early 50s, and very reluctant motorist, decided to do the unthinkable. He stepped into the BIKE SHOP at Port Purcell. He walked out with a mountain bike.

Now, this writer on customer service, and the lack thereof, especially in these Antilles, was astonished with the service he received at the cycling store. He has been around the customer service mill. He has seen the very worst when it comes to customer service.

But he must without reservation state that the service at this establishment was second to none. This was a business at the top of its game. Not only was the staff exceptionally knowledgeable about the merchandise. They were extremely pleasant to boot. These were employees with passion. They loved what they did and it spoke directly to JACK THE CUSTOMER.

Ever since he bought his bicycle, he has had to pop in and out for various accessories, and the odd repair. He enjoys his new found hobby so much that he is even considering a second bicycle. He easily nominates this business for the BVI CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD for 2014.

Now he fully agrees with Michael Fonseca. The Virgin Islands has, “been sacrificed on the altar of the automobile.” The motor vehicle in this tiny country is more than just a means of getting from A to B. It is a status symbol: a piece of hardware upon which people measure their very existences.

This rider of a mountain bike is glad that he jettisoned the idea of the motor vehicle as panacea of the good life many moons back. Why: because like Mr. Fonseca he has been able to see that the motor vehicle may have made life much more convenient. It has also made the environment a lot worse.

Fonseca reminded that, “it used to be that our streets were safe places for our children to play on.” Today any responsible parent will think twice when little Johnny states that he is going to ride his bicycle on the street.

Returning to the Bike Shop and his new piece of hardware; and he rode all the way to his office on his new toy after that fortuitous transaction. Later that day, after work, he rode the 6 miles home. It was a wonderful affair. The morning was breezy and sunny. The post 5 pm traffic was bad as usual, but he was on a different parallel to the motorist. This cyclist rode past static cars as he went home. He was glad he had stepped up in the transportation stakes. Yes, the experience of that first bike ride after over 40 years was awesome.

As his legs pedaled away, he was literally on CLOUD NINE. He was an avid biker as a child. One never forgets how to ride a bicycle. There was a new appreciation for the beauty of his surroundings. He knew life would never be the same.

He had his first major fall one night at Sea Cows Bay. It was a seismic affair. All 230 pounds of him crashed on to the tarmac. He never knew the road surface was so hard. His new bike had disappeared from under his posterior. He was literally airborne, before landing on his stomach and face.

The car travelling behind slammed its breaks, in order not to make matters worse. Then a screaming Latino beauty at a local bar thought he had had it for good. The driver of the car behind helped Jack the Cyclist back on to his feet, assisting with retrieving his bicycle that lay in a nearby gutter. It was an arduous journey home after the accident. He was bruised, and he felt terrible pain for days.

Despite the tough experience, one most mountain bikers will face, he has been commuting safely and enjoyably ever since, to and from work. He reads the safety tips online: and there is a whole encyclopedia on cycling safety. He also goes touring to various parts of the island once in a while: his own rendition of TOUR de FRANCE.

Sadly, this Bicycle Commuter cannot see a change of culture in these Virgin Islands any time soon. There are two reasons for this. Number one reason is that this country is not one that adopts major change readily. Number two is that the love affair with the motor vehicle is so well entrenched as to be nearly impossible to subvert.

As Fonseca stated, the traffic and parking crisis is caused by people who both live and work in Road Town, and who, “own multiple cars, and insist on driving the short distances to and from their homes and workplaces.”

Fonseca’s cure for the endemic traffic and parking problem in Road Town and probably elsewhere, was for citizens and residents to, “get out of their car cocoons and put their feet back on the streets. This is where sidewalks and bicycle lanes are so important,” the writer asserted. That is easier said than done, this cyclist will state.

Fonseca described cycle friendly countries such as the Dutch and Scandinavian where, “after having sacrificed their cities on the altar of the automobile were now building more bicycle lanes, and not just any old bicycle lanes but bicycle superhighways.”

Fonseca offered the country a visionary alternative to the motor vehicle: “walking and cycling should be prioritized with pedestrian areas given greater priority. Cyclists should be given the priority. There should be parking stations for bicycles. Create a dedicated bicycle road network.”

Fonseca’s vision of a pedestrian and cycle friendly capital city and country, is certainly achievable. However it will take something that is always very difficult. It will take a change in the national culture. More inhabitants of paradise will have to follow the example of this Old Boy Columnist, and visit the Bike Shop in Port Purcell, and buy that bicycle: male and female, young and old.

Then these new cyclists will have to begin the great adventure of becoming bicycle commuters. Government and private enterprise can certainly encourage that effort. Leaders and managers should start by setting the example themselves.

Leave the car in the garage as often as possible and cycle and walk the few miles to and from work. Or drive to the outskirts of Road Town with the bike hitched to the boot. Then ride the 2 miles to the office or workplace.

In essence, the creation of a new cycling and pedestrian culture must start at the top.

Allow employees to commute by bicycle. Provide cycle facilities in offices such as showers - this is a tropical country - changing rooms, and cycle berths.

Cycle lanes might be impractical in the Virgin Islands with the country’s very limited road network.

However cycle safety measures could be put in place. Increase the number of speed bumps in dangerous areas. Establish cycle safety signs, and greater lighting in the countryside for night cyclists. Begin a national advertising campaign encouraging cycling, and asking drivers to be more courteous and considerate of cyclists.

The benefits of cycling are numerous for community. Cyclists and walkers according to the research suffer much less heart and cardiovascular disease. Cycling is a hedge protecting the cyclist from Type 2 Diabetes. Cyclists are less obese than motorists. Then there is evidence that the incidences of certain cancers are lower in cyclists, particularly colon cancer.

There are the environmental benefits of zero carbon emissions and less pollution. There is even evidence that cyclists are happier, and more contented than the general population.

The cost of owning a car per annum has been set at $8000 in the USA. That is $22.00 a day. The cost of riding a bicycle is less than $300 per annum, 82 cents a day.

These Virgin Islands have been described as ideal for cycling, especially mountain biking. Cycling is actually very enjoyable in Natures Little Secrets. The quintessential Caribbean road configuration, with one major road from East to West, with wonderful coastal views, networked with country lanes, running into the hilly hinterland, add a rural terrain, actually makes cycling safe on these islands. Remember to light up at night, and always wear a helmet. Cycling is fun, and can become a family affair.

The commuter cyclist arrives at work charged in the morning. He or she gets back home at the end of a hard day reenergized and refreshed. With information like that out there, this cyclist and beach walker will continue with his active lifestyle, and hopefully, for a very long time. And yes, don’t forget, there is a business in Purcell that will give WORLD CLASS service, when you decide to make that change.

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