August 24, 2021 - In early July of this year Gordon Taylor Jr. opened the first ever Indigenous business of its kind, Tiickin eBike Rentals, in his hometown of Ucluelet, BC. Aiming to find solutions to the climate crisis, the new operation is owned and run by his First Nation family that hopes to bring sustainable mobility solutions to the region.
“I don’t want to be known only as an e-bike rental business,” commented Taylor Jr. With a bigger dream to “heal the land” he hopes to inspire other Indigenous entrepreneurs by showing them that it’s possible to have a profitable business and help the environment.
The overall vision is “Everything E” he explains starting with e-bikes and Tiickin (t-eets kin) which means Thunderbird, and was inspired by Taylor Jr.’s great, great grandfather George Clutesi, the author of Son of Raven, Son of Deer, Fables of the Tse-shaht People.
“I told the kids that we need to adapt and become more in tune with the environment,” says Taylor Jr. “It’s about security for the family and our land.”
Starting a business as a family enterprise with a focus on sustainability was extremely important to Taylor Jr., especially as Vancouver Island’s economy shifts away from logging, fishing and other resource-based industries to tourism. After three generations of an abundance of work through natural resources, he felt it was time for his family to pivot.
And pivot they did. Qu?usin Development Inc., doing business as Tiickin, is a true family business in every sense of the word. Taylor Jr. heads up the team with his daughter Catherine Taylor as General Manager, Kaleena George as Assistant Manager, and son Gordy Taylor III, as Bike Tech Manager.
Only two months old, the new e-bike rental business is thriving. With 35 e-bikes in stock locals and tourists can rent three different high-tech electric bike models for $20 per hour or $99 a day. A small price to pay for the ability to discover the Tofino area’s priceless natural beauty – best known for its year-round surfing, sprawling sandy beaches and ancient rainforest – while treading lightly on the land.
Visitors are on board and keen as Taylor Jr. recently reported that on a recent Sunday at total of 29 e-bikes had been rented. Folks can rent e-bikes at two locations – Khan West Kitchen & Campground or West Coast Shapes Ukee (kitty corner from Khan West) – with apparently more locations coming soon.
Adding to the excitement and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pacific Rim National Park, a $51 million investment will see a 40-kilometre cycle route that will connect the two surfing towns of Tofino and Ucluelet. Running closely parallel the Pacific Ocean, the route will provide access to rainforests, hiking trails, surfing beaches, First Nations sites, and the respective towns themselves. A lighter mode of transportation, like an e-bike, is the perfect way to explore the region once you’re there.
With so much natural beauty to explore, it’s no wonder that the area attracts over one million visitors per year, who contribute $250 million to the local economy.
While the revenue is essential, it’s taking a toll on the environment, something Taylor Jr. hopes to stem by giving people an alternative to using their cars. “We all depend on tourism,” says Taylor Jr. “It’s not about kicking people out, but rather figuring out how we can accommodate them.”
One of the ways he urges people to respect the environment is by parking their cars once they arrive in Tofino and Ucluelet. “Park your car, so there is less gas consumption and fewer emissions,” he explains. Taylor Jr. hopes to have an even bigger impact by using some of the 10 hectares of land that he and his family members are collectively eligible to purchase (at well below market rates) through the Ucluelet First Nations which facilitates economic opportunities for treaty members.
“We want to use our land to help improve things,” continues Taylor Jr., who plans to work with Tourism Tofino on their “park your car program” by creating space for more parking. And not just a regular old parking lot but a three-tier structure that uses less land.
“E-bikes are just the first step,” he proudly states. “We are working on helping our environment one step at a time. As the “Everything E” mantra suggests, the bigger plans include electric scooters and cargo bikes, along with electric trikes and trucks. Anything and everything that moves people or products will be zero emission in Taylor Jr.’s future planning.
He’s already in the talks with organizations like Parks Canada, to ensure they’re also thinking about the big picture when it comes to supporting the future of e-mobility. For example, allowing e-trikes on their bike paths, something they’ve yet to consider.
“Collaborating with others is the way to go,” says Taylor Jr., who was quick to admit it would have been very challenging to get their new business off the ground without support from many organizations, local businesses, First Nations, and municipalities. A grant from the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation, was supported by Ucluelet First Nation management, OHM Electric Bikes in North Vancouver, Nutcase Helmets and Arrowsmith Bikes to name a few.
When he isn’t working at the e-bike rental shop, Taylor Jr. is offering tours of the region, collaborating with the community or educating the next generation on how to take care of the land – through beach clean-up and trail ambassador programs.
He can also be found riding his OHM e-bike from his home in Millstream – 5km outside of Ucluelet – to Wickaninnish Beach, or cycling to work with his faithful companion, Guido, running beside him.
Taylor Jr.’s enthusiam is infectious and inspirational… you can’t help but want to cheer him on in his quest for a sustainable legacy for his family and the region – that and planning your next bike trip to Tofino.
For more information visit here.
