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Column: Bike to work with no excuse

My father is a lawyer, which means he excels at finding loopholes and interpreting things to his advantage.
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Serena Caner, registered dietician

My father is a lawyer, which means he excels at finding loopholes and interpreting things to his advantage.

Growing up, we had an energetic Labrador retriever, Casey, who needed walks twice daily.

Casey and my dad had a special bond related to the dog biscuits that could always be found in the right pocket of his pants.

Casey also rode shotgun in the car and was even known to grace the carpeted floors of Douglas, Symes and Brissenden office after hours. However much my father loved that dog, when he was designated the duty of walking Casey every morning, he had an alternative plan.

It was not only that my father disliked exercise, but he was too clever for exercise. Why walk when you can drive?

So early in the morning, he would wake up, hop in his car, and drive with poor Casey running beside.

This method worked out until one morning, he was discovered by his wife:

“Blake, you are missing the whole point of walking the dog.”

“The dog’s getting good exercise.”

“But you are not!”

Not easily dissuaded, my father had another plan: the bicycle.

More time efficient and less energy than walking, this system was effective until the morning my dog saw a squirrel. Darting off suddenly around the trunk of a tree, my dad was pulled over the handlebars, breaking his arm.

Next week is Bike to Work Week, and many of you will come up with reasons why you cannot ride your bike (or walk) to work for one week.

So I have created a list of “loopholes” to enable you to participate:

• Get dropped off and ride home (So you are not sweaty at work).

• Put your bike on the bus (To avoid the huge hill on the way home).

• Drive part-way, bike the rest (You live too far away).

•Invest in an electric-assist bike (Your knees can’t take the hills).

• Bike with your grandkids (You don’t work anymore).

But, if you are taking a dog for a walk, leave the bike at home!

-Serena Caner is a registered dietitian who works at Shuswap Lake General Hospital.