Wisconsin Cycling Lives
A cycling passion becomes a profession
The young girl started riding bike at age 5 in a family that prized cycling. Lai King Moy found freedom on her bike. “My brother and I rode our bikes everywhere. It was something we could do independently. That was our freedom. I rode my bike to school from a young age. My parents taught people in our neighborhood and cousins how to ride. My family’s enthusiasm for cycling translated into who I am now!”
Who Lai King is now is a partner in the Tour of America’s Dairyland, the 11-day Wisconsin cycling series that’s the largest such event in the nation. She’s also co-founder of Cadence Cycling Milwaukee, a women’s cycling group that fosters the empowerment of women cyclists, both on and off the bike.
“Cycling is still deeply embedded in our family’s way of life,” Lai King says. She’s the mother of two daughters, Sloan, age 13, and Brooklyn, 11.
“When the kids were younger, my husband and I used cargo bikes to tow our kids around with us,” Lai King explains. Now her daughters are serious cyclists. “They race competitively on the road, the velodrome and cyclocross. Now I’m the cycling version of a soccer mom. And my husband and I have both done the Ride Across Wisconsin.”
Commuting is an important part of the family’s day-to-day cycling life. “I love commuting on a bike because it allows me time in these ‘making-ourselves-too-busy days’ to get some exercise,” Lai King explains. “It gives me a little extra vitamin D. It allows me to see the city differently. It gives me a chance to interact more with my surroundings.
“I’m a volunteer and community-type person, and being able to watch the world around me at bike pace vs. car pace gives me a better way to interact with my community and find the things that are important to me. I love being able to commute and share that love of cycling with my children, knowing it’s a form of independence. Bike commuting is very inexpensive compared to driving a car. It’s better for the environment. You can always get a front-row parking spot. You don’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic. And it’s fun! All these things make cycling convenient and lovely.”
A passionate cyclist, Lai King estimated the number of bikes she has. At last count, it was nine, including cargo, road, gravel, commuter, townie and mountain bikes. “As a family, we have well over 25 bikes,” she says.
“I love my cargo bike. It’s the one I ride most regularly. It goes to the library, the grocery store, to school, and it takes my husband to work,” Lai King adds.
For those who would like to take advantage of the benefits of getting around by bike, Lai King suggests: “It’s important to have really good gear so you can ride year round. We have nice rain pants and rain jackets. We’re into it!” Good head, hand and foot wear are also invaluable.
Lai King’s passion for cycling has drawn her to the Wisconsin Bike Fed. “When I was 38-weeks pregnant, my husband got hit by a car while riding his bike. A distracted diver ran a stop sign. He’s fine now, but that experience motivated us to go into Bike Fed mode. The accident heightened our awareness of the rights of cyclists on the road and broadened our understanding of different laws. We realized that if you hit a person on a bike, if they don’t die, it’s pretty much just a moving violation. That was eye-opening for us and prompted us to consider what we can do to create safer streets, such as supporting the Bike Fed.”
“I love to support everything the Wisconsin Bike Fed does. I’m drawn to programs I can relate to and participate in, especially the Safe Routes to School program and the Adventure Bike Day Camps. I want to support advocating for safer streets for everyone, pedestrians and cyclists, because that’s how I get around. I feel the benefits, and I can help.”
Lai King Moy, Bike Fed member for 13 years
As part of her cycling life, Lai King loves to hit the local bike trails. “The Oak Leaf Trail and the Hank Aaron State Trail are two gems,” she says. “I like not having to put my bike in a car to ride bike. We’re really blessed with a great trail system and some nice mountain bike trails here. I love that they can get me places quickly, and they’re so beautiful.”
– By Doug Freeman, Bike Fed member and volunteer writer of the “Wisconsin Cycling Lives” series, and retired radio broadcaster and communications professional at UnitedHealthcare, Associated Bank and Advocate Aurora Health.
Featured image at top of story: Lai King and her husband, Michael, with daughters Brooklyn, left, and Sloan, right, at the 2021 Giro d’ Grafton where the girls raced in the junior category. According to the proud mother of both girls, about 2 hours later Sloan claimed 3rd overall for the series. : )
Many thanks to Doug, Wendy, Pepe, Dave & Julie, Debby, and Lai King!
Bike Fed would like to express our gratitude to volunteer series author and member, Doug Freeman, for his time and talent to create amazing member profiles as part of our 35th anniversary celebration in 2023 … and to the Bike Fed members who graciously shared their stories with all of us during this milestone year. We invite you to read the “Wisconsin Cycling Lives” stories for: Doug Freeman, Wendy Stein, Pepe Barros, David & Julie Boen, Debby Wilson, and Lai King Moy to explore the things we have in common and what makes our individual cycling experiences uniquely our own.
If you would like to become one of our wonderful members with benefits or wish to give a gift membership to your favorite riders, please visit the membership program webpage for details on levels and payment options, then sign up to support better cycling in Wisconsin! Hot tip: Rates will increase slightly on January 15, 2024, so there’s no time like the present to add your voice.