My name is Charlotte, I am the Community Liaison Lead, and I love to bike. Have you ever asked yourself: how can I get paid to bike around all summer? How can I get to know my community better? How can I make a difference and help people feel safer?

The answer for me was to take a job as a bike patroller on the P’tit Train du Nord this summer. 

What does being a bike patroller entail? It’s like being a lifeguard - on wheels. We’re on the patrol for lost people to redirect, cyclists with mechanical problems to solve, and injured people to treat with our first aid kits when necessary. It’s also the best job ever if you want to improve your French.

I biked between 40 and 100km a day as the leader of the northern sector between Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Laurier and camped at least three days a week to cover my terrain. Here is how this experience changed me:

• My mental health and outlook on life has improved so much. Spending all day biking through the mountains is good for you - but even a few kilometres makes a big difference in my day. 

• I know so many more people. From community members to business owners, and even elected officials, it was wonderful to meet so many people. 

• I feel so much more capable. Biking and camping all summer made me realise that I’m able to do so much more than I thought. Now that I am back to working 9-5, I do an 80km bike ride at least three times a week to get there. It’s my favourite part of my day and going to work feels like an adventure. 

• I can run up stairs. (Wow.)

“Most of all then, I learned not to be ashamed of my accent. I am here because I love where I live, and in talking to so many people this summer, I reaffirmed that they are happy to share it with me.”

My experience this summer on the patrol was really formative. I would never have thought to do something like this if it weren't for my friend Abbie, who told me about the opportunity. She also improved her French on the patrol and even became the patrol leader. Most of all then, I learned not to be ashamed of my accent. I am here because I love where I live, and in talking to so many people this summer, I reaffirmed that they are happy to share it with me.

Main Photo Credit: Élias Joly