This month we’re featuring another amazing commuter…Chester Kim!
Commuters of Burbank is a series that intends to share the stories of Burbank commuters who bike, walk, bus/train, scoot, carpool, or vanpool to get around, demonstrating it’s possible to commute without driving alone!
Continue reading to learn more about Chester, our Commuter of the Month!
- Where do you work in Burbank?
I work at Disney at 1200 Central Avenue. - How do you get to work on a typical day?
I ride my bike from La Crescenta to get to work on a typical day, which ends up being about 16~20 miles per day. - What is the best part of your commute?
The best part of my commute by bike is that I have started seeing new neighborhoods and discovering things which I would have otherwise missed if I were driving a car. I also really love resting at home after completing my bike commute. - What/who compelled you to begin commuting this way?
Well, my commute wasn’t efficient to drive the distance in my big minivan, so after considering various options, I decided to give the bike a shot after leaving it abandoned for years in my garage. - Do you have any interesting commute stories you’d like to share?
The first few months of commuting by bike were a challenge with having to deal with the steep uphill climb (~800 elevation gain within 8 miles) on the way back home since I never had such an experience. To be honest, I took more than five breaks each time I did that climb, sometimes taking upwards of about two hours just one way back home. One of my friends challenged me to make it back within an hour, which I thought it was impossible. But after one year of commuting by bike and switching to a faster road bike, I can make it home in just 45 minutes with only one or even no breaks! So proud of this achievement! Not to mention the benefits of my improved fitness and not having to spend money on gas. Too bad I couldn’t bike to the office during the pandemic. Now I can’t wait to come back to the office! - Are there any commuting tips that you’d like to share with people working near you?
I definitely recommend commuting by bike to everyone. First and foremost, safety is the most important thing in mind. Always wait for the traffic at intersections and never assume that drivers can see you. After more than a year of commuting by bike, I’ve experienced a few dangerous moments on the road. Just make sure to have a safety-first attitude and you too can enjoy this wonderful experience!
Connect with Chester on Instagram @chester.kim, on Facebook @violkim, or on Twitter @violkim.