Peter is joined by Gordon Hobbis, who now, in 'retirement', runs his own bicycle museum in Maple Ridge. Gordon is the son of Cap Hobbis, founder of Caps Bicycles of BC — once the largest chain of bike dealerships in Canada.

Gordon takes us on a wild ride linking early two-wheel transport to climate disruption following the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, and then brings us into the modern era: how bike retail changes with online shopping, massive model variety, and the explosion of e-bikes. We also dig into Canadian bike manufacturing history including how tariffs protected local brands, how free trade reshaped the market, and why large-scale bicycle manufacturing largely disappeared in Canada.

Also: Gordon’s research trips to Davis, California, where the first U.S. bike lanes opened in 1969; the rise and fall and rebirth of bicycling in China; and how the bicycle revolutionized dating and helped women transcend restrictive social rules. Finally, Gordon explains how a bike refurbishment charity and mechanic training led to Western Canada’s only bike museum, in Maple Ridge, BC.

Did we say it was a wild ride? We're just picking up speed! And on a replica 1888 Penny Farthing it's seven feet down to the ground ... so hang on to your riding cap.

**************

Visit the Two Wheeled Time Machine Museum HERE.

And if you're looking for a bike or some two-wheeled wisdom come on down to Caps Cycle, still going strong in New Westmister and Langley.

Support the show

***********************************************

The Bike Sense podcast with Peter Ladner is produced by the BC Cycling Coalition – your voice for safer and more accessible cycling and active transportation in British Columbia. Membership in the BCCC is now FREE! The future of this podcast depends on people like you becoming members at BCCycling.ca. Please join us.

Got feedback or ideas for future episodes? Please drop us an email at admin@bccycling.ca.

Bike Sense podcast technical direction and production by Carmen Mills.