The university student tells the story of how he became a cyclist and the ways in which it has improved his life, with a desire to extend the benefits of this sport to more young Londoners like him.
London Lifestyle Magazine in partnership with Lime
In this digital age, we’ve become so used to experiencing everything through our screens. Gen Z Londoners laugh, cry, and even speak to their phones. And at the end, when it’s just you and piece of metal, it can get quite lonely. It seems like the youth in London has forgotten the value of real-life experiences in the outdoors, but there is some who still hold on to them. Get to know a Londoner who found a new way to experience the city around him.
Lorenzo Chavez is a university student in London who stopped taking the bus and tube and started cycling instead. “I used to take the tube or bus to class all the time, but one day I just got tired. I was lost at the time, and not making choices that contributed to my life.” he says. “So, one day when I was late for class, I searched up the fastest way to uni on google maps. It said it was biking and that seemed like a crazy idea, but that’s when it clicked: My life would not change until I started making changes”. Lorenzo took a bike to class that day and has not stopped since.
What makes him come back to his bike every day is how the world feels like when he is on two wheels. “There’s something so freeing about it, which is what makes me want to keep doing it over and over again,” he says. Lorenzo finds riding to be an outlet for him to release the day’s stress and makes him feel like he is zooming away from his preoccupations.
“When I ride for fun and not because I’m commuting somewhere, my favorite place is the park. Clapham Common is the nearest to me, and the ride is always chill and relaxing”
Lorenzo Chavez
What makes the experience extra special is that it creates a moment for him to connect with the world around. Once on the road, it is impossible to take his phone out and start scrolling on social media, or stare at the latest show on the TV. “When riding, I’m forced to pay attention to the road ahead, and I become aware of things I normally wouldn’t notice,” he says. “It helps me disconnect from my devices and actually appreciate the beautiful city we live in.”
Lime makes it easy to give it a try, with rentable electric bikes that are parked all around the city. “I always use Lime, because it is quick and easy. I know I can find one on every corner, and it will be ready for me to go,” says Lorenzo. All there is to do is open the app and unlock the nearest bike to start your ride, and with it a new real-life experience.
“If I had to pick a favorite thing about biking though, it would be the friends I have gained along the way,” Lorenzo says. The biking community in London has expanded a lot in recent years, with 20% of Londoners identifying themselves as cyclists in 2024. Creating a network of friends is essential for Gen Zers, as it provides a sense of enjoyment and belonging that they cannot find online, especially if a passion like cycling is shared between them. Lorenzo hopes to extend this feeling to other young Londoners, along with all the benefits biking has brought to his life.
Lime agrees, so we are hosting a “Bikeathon” through Hyde Park on April 1st, where everyone can grab a bike for free and we will complete two laps around the park together. Seize the opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the world around by living life on two wheels. “Biking changed my life, and I’ll always be grateful for it,” Lorenzo says. “I think everyone should ride; I mean it for real.”
