Jimmy Lizama, biking parent to son Joaquin (5), is founder of Re:Ciclos: a Los Angeles-based project that recycles landfill-bound steel bicycles and sends them into the hands of kids who redesign, re-fabricate, and assemble them into cargo bicycles, then distribute to communities, individuals, organizations, and businesses for future endeavors. He is also the original “cook” of Bicycle Kitchen, a nonprofit bicycle repair space, and at the age of 41, this native Angelino and veteran bike messenger has never owned a car, an impressive feat in a city where automobiles reign supreme.
Joaquin’s first ride with dad happened when he was six months old, strapped into a baby car seat that was strapped into the bay of a cargo bicycle. Since then, Jimmy and his family have taken camping trips, gone to the beach, done school dropoffs, gone to the movies, run errands and been everywhere else where you’d take a car.
Coolest biking experience? Taking recycled materials, and building a cargo bike for $8, with the help of kids from east L.A. It’s all about re-imaging how people get around L.A., and why.
Find out more: Re:Ciclos.org
photo: courtesy Danny Lizama
