“In this recovery process, it’s important to feel normal and not just obsessed over the physical challenges present in the body at the moment. You find joy, you live your life, you forget, and it goes away. It’s difficult. But it’s a lot easier with my Pedego.”

Dustin Anderson understands scary health conditions.

He started showing symptoms known as Parkinson’s Disease after years of being a driven traditional cyclist, striving children’s entertainer and car-free commuter averaging 15,000 kilometers in a year.

“My wife and I cycled across Canada a couple times. I was a children’s performer and I promoted active living by cycling to all my shows. I rode in all seasons and some days cycled 120 km between gigs,” remembers Dustin. “This was before electric.”

It was 2016 when Dustin felt his first tremor – and it was frightening. He had placed a huge importance on his physical strength, always striving to be fitter, and in his mind – better. Dustin also had dreams of being a national role model with his character Purple Pirate, to encourage youth to be active and live car free. He thought commitment and drive were what would open doors for him.

With the onset of the physical symptoms known as Parkinson’s, he saw his freedom disappearing. The fear kept him up at night. Caught up in his thoughts, Dustin realized he’d been living in fear since childhood, never really feeling safe. All the stress had taken its toll on his body.

Now, faced with physical challenges, he saw an opportunity to overcome what had limited him most of all – his mind. Through meditation, Dustin was able to find mental strength to then focus on regaining his physical freedom.

“People who recover [from physical challenges] focus on freedom, not the label,” says Dustin. “Joy, laughter, and love are powerful healing modalities… Illness and hardship has been a gift for me. The changes I have experienced have been so positive and have far outweighed the challenges.”

“Ultimately, the body is going to do is what the body is going to do. The body decays for everyone. For me, I let go of the fear to come into situations with a different mindset.”

Dustin Meets Pedego

Dustin met Bryan at Pedego Nanaimo when Dustin approached bike shops eager to do work using his videography skills. Dustin instantly felt at home aside Bryan’s warm enthusiasm and kind-hearted nature. Within a week, he started working at the store and he loves it to this day.

“I love working at Pedego! I value how customers are treated, the building excitement and the camaraderie of the entire Pedego family” Dustin says. “Working here allows me to share my passion for cycling with people who don’t necessarily have the experience or confidence I have on a bicycle. Despite my decreased physical ability at this moment, I am still very skilled on a bicycle. So, my role is to teach people and help them feel comfortable.”

Dustin wasn’t always an electric bike enthusiast. One of his all-time favourite jobs was a bicycle courier, at age 19. He ran on adrenaline. Involved in the bike world for 20 plus years – as an advocate, rider and bike shop employee in Vancouver, the macho cyclist vibe couldn’t help but rub off on him. He appreciates that Pedego is an inclusive space where people feel comfortable.

“Everyone is just excited about this product that opens up avenues to a positive living experience,” he says.

Everything He Wants to Do

Dustin rides a Pedego City Commuter. For Dustin, cycling allows him to feel like a kid – free – but with a much better bike, he laughs.

“Despite how tough I talk; my physical capacity is not vast at the moment,” he says. “My ebike helps me do everything I want to do. All of it – without killing myself. That’s awesome. I’ve regained a sense of freedom.”

He loves how it still lets him keep his car parked more often. His 13 to 14 km commute to work comes with some “grueling headwinds” at times. He loads up his bike with film gear, 2×4 boards and big bags of cat food. “I am always bringing stuff.”

“I cruise full tilt to work and home at 32 kph and still have energy left. I love that… The Pedego takes it to the next level because you don’t have to burn yourself out. You can still do everything you want to do while saving that energy you need for your health.”

Living through scary health situations means pushing beyond challenging physical situations to live life despite constant vulnerability.

“In this recovery process, it’s important to feel normal and not just obsessed over the physical challenges present in the body at the moment. You find joy, you live your life, you forget, and it goes away. It’s difficult. But it’s a lot easier with my Pedego.”

Dustin welcomes all bike enthusiasts, new and old, to Pedego Nanaimo at for a conversation about ebikes. Start by finding them online…

You can also follow Pedego Nanaimo on social media! We love the helpful info Dustin and Bryan have been sharing. Follow their Facebook page…