I started biking when…
I was a little girl and got my first bicycle. She was white and had pink flowers all over the frame.

And what I love about it…
When it comes to biking, it is a lot more than what it does for my body but what it actually does for my mind and quality of life. I’m not worried about the trains being too busy during rush hour anymore, or being stuck in traffic; I know it only depends on me and my bicycle to get me anywhere I want to be. Not to mention it’s almost like meditation and the one moment I can be with myself and think about nothing else but the road.

Tokyobike is…
An independent Japanese bicycle company, launched in Yanaka in 2002. Since then Tokyobike has expanded through Asia, Europe and since my husband and I love the brand and everything it stands for, it made total sense to be the ones to bring it to the U.S.

And what makes our bikes different…
The design is a very obvious difference to our competition. But there’s a lot more to it: our bicycles were designed for Tokyo — think narrow streets and small apartments. With that in mind, we designed a bicycle that has smaller wheels than most American and European ones. That simple change makes a huge difference in the city environment; acceleration and control are much better, not to mention the bicycles can be easily carried up the stairs and fit in any tiny apartment.

My pre- and post-ride routine…
Safety first and security last! Make sure your bicycle is in working order before kicking off your ride and, when wrapping up, choose a safe location for locking up your bike and ensure all removable accessories are with you.

My usual biking paths in the city…
My most common path is from Carroll Gardens, through Brooklyn Heights, across the Manhattan Bridge and Chinatown to our Nolita store. For all other places I try to stick to bike lanes. I also love riding on the West Side all the way to Central Park, or the Brooklyn waterfront from Red Hook to Dumbo, or the other way around.

Favorite time of day to bike…
Sunset crossing the Manhattan Bridge. There’s nothing like New York’s skyline at that time of the day.

My bicycle…
A Classic Sport in Salmon Red, from Tokyobike. I changed my tires, saddle and grips to black and added a more comfortable handlebar that helps me cross the bridge easily. I never thought I would ride a pink bicycle, but it’s the touch of color my wardrobe needed.

When I go for a ride, I always bring…
Defensive lights (you never know what time you will be going home) and a big tote or backpack (who knows what you can find on the way).

Favorite healthy snacks/drinks…
Bounce Balls, hands down. Unfortunately, you can’t get a hold of them here in the U.S., but luckily, my best friend who still lives in London packs all my favorite British goodies (including Bounce Balls) and sends them to me every couple of months. I obviously eat them faster than I should and spend the rest of the month watching out for the postman.

Insider tips for urban bikers…
Keep an eye out for Citibikers as many of them are tourists who have a very different perspective on riding in cities, and often don’t know all of the rules for bike lanes, intersections and typical commuter etiquette. Also, watch out for food delivery cyclists who often break every rule out there including traveling in the wrong direction on bike paths. Their electric-assist bicycles can also travel pretty fast and are silent so it is best to keep an eye out.

My top cycling cities…
It’s hard to pick one as there’s something very special about riding bicycles in a city you’re visiting — you get to go to streets you wouldn’t be able to reach by car and distance isn’t a problem at all, like it would be by feet. You are also so connected to the road and your surroundings that your senses change and you notice a lot more. With that said, Kyoto, its narrow streets, markets and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning was incredible. Bangkok by bike was definitely quite an experience — we rode by the most amazing markets, restaurants and temples that were so hidden within the city we would have never been able to get to them if not by bicycle. And then there’s obviously London, my favorite city in the whole world — I lived there for six years, but it wasn’t until my last visit that I really got to explore it by bicycle.
Needless to say, it made me fall in love with it all over again.

I define wellness as…
Feeling good with your mind, body and spirit.