Burbank commuters come in all kinds. People bike, walk, bus, scoot, carpool, vanpool and drive. This series is intended to share the stories of commuters who demonstrate it’s possible to get to work without driving alone!
This month we’re featuring not one, but two awesome commuters!
Alex and Jeslette are a husband and wife duo that commute regularly to work on their bikes. We’re absolutely in love with these two! Read below for more!
Where do you work in Burbank?
Jeslette: I don’t work in Burbank. My husband works in Burbank at FotoKem. I work in Glendale at Adventist Health.
Alex: I work at FotoKem Film and Video. That’s 10 miles away from my house.
How do you get to work on a typical day?
Jeslette: I work varied start times. Whenever I start my shift at 0530 or anytime before 0700 I drive in from Pacoima to Glendale. On most Wednesdays and Thursdays when my husband bikes to work, I ride my bike with him. We part ways at Glenoaks & Olive and I continue my freedom ride to Glendale via Glenoaks.
Alex: It’s a four-day work week for me. On Tuesdays and Fridays, I carpool with my wife. Wednesdays and Thursdays are bike to work days.
What is the best part of your commute?
Jeslette: I love riding my bicycle to work as it gives me freedom from traffic. It gives me vitamin D along the way. I enjoy the exercise before my work day starts. It gives me a natural adrenaline. Now, coffee is optional.
Alex: Cool morning ride at 6:00 AM with my wife. It’s a nice mid-week workout / training for 45-minutes one way. This is in preparation for a long club ride we do on weekends – about 50+ miles.
What/who compelled you to begin commuting this way?
Jeslette: I have witnessed my husband commute to work before. I have co-workers riding bikes from Santa Clarita to Glendale and I see them when I drive the streets of Glenoaks. I love the bike paths and bike friendly signs. My workplace encourages a healthy lifestyle. I love the “three feet law” between cyclists and cars.*
Alex: I’ve been commuting on my bike since my first job when I was in my 20’s. I’m now 54 years old and still enjoying my bike to work routine. I/We get rewarded with great health benefits doing this.
Do you have any interesting commute stories you’d like to share?
Jeslette: I showed up to work the first time last year with my bike, helmet, and cycling clothes. They were all surprised. I told them “It’s been 13 miles.” They said, “Round trip?” I answered, “No! One way only. 30 miles at the end of the day”, and they answered, “What?!”
Alex: That would be my ride along San Fernando Blvd. When the Metrolink train passes opposite my way, I make a pulling gesture with my hand in the air to the train engineer and he gives me a couple of honks back! That really makes my day. I’m like a tiny mouse making friends with an elephant.
Are there any commuting tips that you’d like to share with people working near you?
Jeslette: Streets are safe in LA. We have to use safety measures, too. Lights, helmets, visible clothing. Join bike clubs or read about road signs and courtesy. Biking is cheaper than gas.
Alex: Biking to work makes you get excited to work. Most drivers are nice to riders who commute to work. Don’t be scared to get out. It’s fun!
Alex: I’d like to take this opportunity to invite and encourage anyone to ride with us (me and my wife) to work. We can pick you up in the SF Valley-Pacoima area and ride with you to your workplace in Burbank or Glendale. We’ll teach you how to safely ride to work. Call or text me at 818-445-8267.
Keep Up with Jeslette on Social Media!
Facebook – Jeslette Verzosa
*Following the lead of many other states, California passed the “Three Feet for Safety Act” in 2014 (California Vehicle Code section 21760) which requires that drivers maintain a minimum 3-foot buffer when passing a bicyclist.