Champion Commuter

Joshua Hagen, URM

Joshua is the Logistics Coordinator for URM Stores and an avid bicyclist. Joshua rides his bike every day. The only times he doesn’t is if the roads are too icy or there is too much snow, and on those days, he carpools! Due to an unforeseen situation of getting a DUI in 2002, Joshua began riding his bike out of necessity. However, after a year of riding his bike, when he could have gotten his license back, Joshua chose not to. He loves the freedom of riding his bike!

Nearly 22 years later, Joshua still doesn’t have his license and has no plans to do so. Joshua doesn’t feel he has any challenges riding his bike. He has routes where he zig zags through neighborhoods and maps out safe crossings at busy streets. His commute is about 5 miles. The perfect 20-minute ride. In the morning, it allows him to wake up and be ready for his day and in the evening, it allows him to decompress and forget the workday.

Joshua says there are several things that keep him riding his bike. He enjoys getting his exercise in daily, the money he saves, reducing the stress of driving …. And it’s now just his lifestyle. In his 22 years of riding his bike, he’s only been hit by a car 2 times, neither one serious. His words of wisdom to other riders, “Always wear a helmet and always use lights…. Consider yourself another vehicle on the road”.

ETC, Dorothy Espinosa, says “No matter rain or shine, Joshua still chooses to bike to work and if for whatever reason it is not possible for him to do so, he will carpool with his wife.

Congratulations Joshua!