October 21 2024
Youth Member Spotlight: Eliel
Eliel is a Vancouver secondary school student who is in his second year of the Youth Community Pass program. Our Youth Community Pass program, launched in 2023, makes bike share more accessible and affordable for youth aged 12 - 18. With support from Vancouver's Walk Bike Roll team and the Vancouver School Board, the program supports active transportation access for students. Students at participating schools can now use bike share to get to activities, see friends, and explore the city in an environmentally friendly way.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Eliel, and I moved to the downtown eastside of Vancouver in 2017. Since then, I've come to know every street, hill, and sidewalk, making this vibrant neighborhood my home. I attend Britannia Secondary School, where I'm actively involved in sustainability and social justice initiatives, two core values that define who I am.
In addition to my schoolwork, I love staying active through kickboxing and cross-country running. Outside of sports, I have a passion for coin collecting and photography, both of which allow me to connect with Vancouver in unique ways. Photographing my surroundings gives me the chance to capture the beauty of my community, and in doing so, I’ve deepened my appreciation for the place I now call home.
How did you get started with Mobi by Rogers?
Getting around Vancouver has posed a challenge for my family in terms of finances and scheduling, so I decided to look for other options to make travel easier and faster. After learning about the program through a presentation at school I immediately decided to give it a go.
The Youth Community Pass program has made my life more exciting and allowed me to fully experience all that Vancouver has to offer. It’s now easier and quicker to meet up with friends across the city, and I feel more connected to the vibrant community that makes Vancouver special. Mobi Bikes has also made it simpler to explore the city's beauty while helping reduce transit pollution, contributing to a greener, more sustainable Vancouver. :)
Find out more about our Youth Community Pass program here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Eliel, and I moved to the downtown eastside of Vancouver in 2017. Since then, I've come to know every street, hill, and sidewalk, making this vibrant neighborhood my home. I attend Britannia Secondary School, where I'm actively involved in sustainability and social justice initiatives, two core values that define who I am.
In addition to my schoolwork, I love staying active through kickboxing and cross-country running. Outside of sports, I have a passion for coin collecting and photography, both of which allow me to connect with Vancouver in unique ways. Photographing my surroundings gives me the chance to capture the beauty of my community, and in doing so, I’ve deepened my appreciation for the place I now call home.
How did you get started with Mobi by Rogers?
Getting around Vancouver has posed a challenge for my family in terms of finances and scheduling, so I decided to look for other options to make travel easier and faster. After learning about the program through a presentation at school I immediately decided to give it a go.
How has bike share, and specifically the youth pass, impacted your life since joining?
I am now able to get around Vancouver very quickly and conveniently, apart from not having to lock up my bike and the constant worry of it being tampered with, the Community Pass program has helped me get to school in a more convenient way.The Youth Community Pass program has made my life more exciting and allowed me to fully experience all that Vancouver has to offer. It’s now easier and quicker to meet up with friends across the city, and I feel more connected to the vibrant community that makes Vancouver special. Mobi Bikes has also made it simpler to explore the city's beauty while helping reduce transit pollution, contributing to a greener, more sustainable Vancouver. :)
What do you hope to see for the younger generation when it comes to bike share?
I hope to see a more environmentally aware and productive generation when it comes to projects like this. I’d love to see more affordable and accessible programs that encourage young people to choose cycling as part of their daily routine, building healthier habits and a greater sense of community. Additionally, I hope our city invests in safer cycling infrastructure so that biking becomes a more appealing and practical option for everyone.Anything you would like to pass on about the Youth Community Pass program?
A project like the youth bike share program is absolutely essential in Vancouver. Seeing a station brings a sense of relief, knowing it’s my way to move through the city and truly experience all it has to offer. Thanks to Mobi Bikes, I feel more connected to Vancouver, and I can confidently say I know this city. Mobi has become such an integral part of life here that I can’t imagine Vancouver without it.Find out more about our Youth Community Pass program here.