WHO WE ARE

Staff

M. Jensen Didulo, Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op Shop Manager (he/they)

Jensen grew up in Vancouver and was 2-1/2 when first imported from the Philippines. He got his first bike at 4 and has never been without one since. He welded his first bike frame in 1986 and has since built a variety including recumbents, tadpole trikes, tilting trikes, tall bikes, a pedal generator and various cargo machines including an 11 foot long delivery bike and a covered cargo trike capable of transporting several kegs of beer.

His CV includes 6 aimless years bouncing around science, political science and technical filmmaking, followed by careers that include vending machine tech, shipper/receiver, engraving shop supervisor, head of design and development, and since moving to London, running a small company that contracts bike assembly for local department stores.

He has volunteered for various multicultural events, university radio, a conference on bisexuality and gender, an eco festival, and of course Squeaky Wheel. When asked why he wants to be at Squeaky Wheel, he reportedly said, "I like people, and I love bikes."

Annette Gilbert, Program Coordinator

My name is Annette Gilbert and I am really excited to join the London Cycle Link community as Program Coordinator for Ride to Thrive.

While I’ve been a cyclist for years, it wasn’t until I embraced a Gazelle ebike that my all-season active transportation days started, almost 5 years ago.

Since then, my Gazelle has replaced my car, I’ve commuted over 30,000 km, and I’ve started to collect a fleet of bikes to serve different purposes. I retired as a TVDSB principal last June where students and staff know me as the principal who bikes everywhere.

It’s so important to model for kids (and adults) the joy and freedom that riding a bike guarantees.

Board of Directors

Michael Woodward, Treasurer (he/him)

Hi, I’m Mike. I am a road cyclist who loves to go on long rides with friends and family. I have a passion for physical fitness and I believe that cycling is one of the best things to do not only for physical but also mental health.

My favourite places to ride are through the Thames Valley Parkway as well as out in Komoka. I have lived in London for the majority of my life and have noticed our city has not kept up with the cycling infrastructure in comparison to other cities in Ontario.

My goal is to make London a better place to cycle through improving cycling infrastructure and advocating for cyclists. I am happy to have the opportunity to combine my passion for cycling and finance in order to help achieve these goals.

Brian Shilton, Chair and Secretary (he/him)

I am happy for this opportunity to play an active role at London Cycle Link and to contribute to continuing successful efforts to make London a more pedestrian- and cycle-friendly city. Having lived in cities in Europe (Aachen, Germany, and Uppsala, Sweden), as well as Montreal, I know that the end result will be worth the effort: cities that emphasize walking, cycling, and public transit become much more pleasant, peaceful, and enjoyable for everybody. Another important factor in this regard is the growing presence of car-sharing as a means for people to access a “personal automobile” when necessary, but without having to make the financial and psychological investments of owning a car. Altogether, I believe that London Cycle Link, with its advocacy for cycling and cycling infrastructure, as well as providing practical means for acquiring and maintaining a bicycle (i.e., Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op), is contributing to much more than cycling. Having more cyclists on the road will make London a better place for everybody!

Our family (my partner, Linda Bussiere, and our three children, Lucy, Zachary, and Beatrice) moved to London in 1998. I work at Western University and commute by bicycle year-round, using either the bike path along the river, or if it is very snowy, Colborne Street (which is especially nice with the new bike lanes). I also enjoy road-biking on some of the beautiful backroads and small highways around London and the county.

Laura Galvis Daza, Vice-Chair (she/her)

I've lived, worked and studied abroad in stints, but ever since arriving in 2001, #ldnont has been home. My day job is at a local tech company; on office days colleagues will see my Liv Alight City (To Wheels), sometimes with the winter treatment (London Bicycle Café). I am mainly a commuter cyclist who knows her TVP, can ride a 50K, and is building mechanic and event management skills to benefit the organization.

Julie Ryan, Director (she/her)

I'm happy to be a volunteer for London Cycle Link. As a kid, we raced around the neighbourhood on bikes until the street lights came on. Today, I commute to work on my bike, and enjoy the beautiful Thames Valley Trail along the river for recreational cycling. Sometimes I feel like a kid again experiencing the joy and freedom that a bicycle brings.

I'm grateful for the protected bike lanes, and want our city to be safer and more equitable for all people who use our streets and sidewalks.

I work at a local charity, and have been a proud Londoner for more than 20 years, having immigrated from the US.

Andrew Leest, Director (he/him)

Hi, I'm Andrew. I've been a cyclist practically my whole life but really fell in love with cycling whilst on a mountain bike. My earliest experience with cycle commuting was riding about 40 minutes through back roads to get to my high school summer job at a provincial park in my hometown of Alliston, Ontario. Cars were usually few and far between, but I remember some of the hills always made me nervous about inattentive drivers. As I've moved to larger cities this concern has only grown and is a large reason for my interest in cycling advocacy.

Sports and exercise have always been passions of mine, leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesology at University of Waterloo. While in my undergrad I ventured to start a business which led to me taking on a Master's in Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology, also at UW. I currently manage a team of business advisors helping technology companies to start up or scale up.

Since moving to London I've resolved to ride my bike as much as possible to get around the city. The Thames Valley Parkway has become one of my favourite places to cycle either for transport or leisure. I do own a car, mostly since I travel out of London frequently. However, I find it to be a highly frustrating and expensive way to get around. I would characterize myself as a 3-season cyclist, but I've been dipping my toe into winter cycling more and more each year. I look forward to helping out more at Squeaky Wheel, taking on some tech integration work and helping with strategy to grow LCL and its impact.

Ganesh Raj, Director

Hi, I’m Ganesh. I have been riding bikes since I was a kid, and continue to enjoy riding to this day, though I’m not brave enough to ride in the snow or winter months just yet. Rest of the year, you can catch me out for a leisurely ride along the Thames Valley Parkway, so be sure to say hi!

As a Londoner for more than 20 years, I have seen our city grow but without proper infrastructure for cycling in residential areas. I look forward to advocating for safer bike lanes, expanding existing infrastructure, as well as educating the next generation of cyclists. I am grateful and happy to be a volunteer for London Cycle Link.

Vincent Lubrano III, Director

When I retired and moved to London, I sought opportunities to volunteer and to ride my bike. LCL has been the perfect platform to fulfil both aspirations.

LCL’s mission to promote cycling through safer streets and public education resonates deeply with me, and I am committed to supporting the organization’s vision of encouraging more people to embrace cycling through public education.

Sean McWatt, Director

I’m very excited to be a London Cycle Link volunteer. Cycling is central to who I am and how I experience the world. I grew up north of Barrie, where I fell in love with mountain biking and racing, but I expanded my cycling onto the road and gravel after moving to Guelph for school, where I also learned bicycle repair and volunteered as a mechanic at the University of Guelph’s CSA Bike Centre. While in Guelph, I quickly became a regular fair-weather bike commuter, which continued after moving to London in 2017 and landing a job in Montréal in 2019, forcing me to split my time between the two cities.

I settled permanently in London with my wife and son in 2022. Inspired by the hardened Montréalise who commute in far worse weather than ours, I’ve evolved into a year-round bike commuter who actually enjoys riding through the snow more than on clear, dry pavement (most days).

As a director, I hope to bring together my diverse riding experience, passion for active transportation, interest in road safety, and first-hand experience with all-season riding in London to be a positive presence in the city’s cycling community and push back against car dominance on our streets.

Alex Tritton, Director

Originally from the county of Kent in England, Alex grew up near Pluckley, which holds the Guinness World Record for “Most Haunted Village,” and has lived in such mighty places as Bognor Regis and Splott before calling Canada home.

As a veteran utility cyclist, he cut his teeth on the mean streets of Toronto as a member-owner of Urbane Cyclist and as a board member at Bikesauce. Other volunteering includes time with Cycle Toronto, Sustrans, and the Biking Lawyer.

As a board member at London Cycle Link, he is hoping to use his industry and previous experience to help make London a truly multi-Modal city.

He also has a degree in Theology, but isn”’t sure why.

Richard Ford, Director

My Name is Rick Ford, I’m a proud father of three and husband to an amazing wife. I have called London home for the last 20 years. I enjoy being outdoors in my community through every season with my family and I support community action that I hope will make London a better place for families to grow.

My relationship with cycling has evolved in recent years. I believe that cycling is a realistic solution to municipal commutes largely made by car, and can help reduce traffic on our crowded roadways. All while enjoying being outdoors in the fresh air, improving physical, mental, and planetary health.

Alex Bast, Director

I’m a passionate cyclist, bike mechanic, and community organizer dedicated to making cycling more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I love all disciplines of cycling, from the adventure of bikepacking to the thrill of mountain biking and the practicality of bike commuting.

As a Staff Learning and Experience Coordinator at Mountain Equipment Company, I get to combine my technical expertise with my love for education, helping others build their skills and confidence on and off the bike.

Beyond my work, I’m involved in community events and advocacy, contributing my energy to initiatives like LCL and Squeaky Wheel to help strengthen and grow the cycling community. Cycling is more than just a passion for me—it’s a way to connect with others, explore the world, and create meaningful change. I’m always looking for new ways to share my love for bikes and bring people together on two wheels.

Past Board Members