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For Paul Wynkoop, biking is not just about getting from point A to point B. It is about calm, freedom, and rediscovering a joy he had not felt since childhood.
Paul moved to Pittsburgh from Durham, North Carolina in 2022. He has always considered himself “a transit guy,” someone who prefers buses, bikes, and shared mobility over driving. Before POGOH, he relied heavily on the bus, but still felt like something was missing. Cars left him feeling frustrated and antsy, especially when they became the default option for short trips or daily routines. Discovering POGOH helped fill that gap.
What keeps Paul riding is a mix of convenience, ease, and how biking makes him feel. While he owns a personal bike for leisurely rides, POGOH has become his go to for everyday transportation. From commuting to running errands to heading out for social trips, POGOH fits seamlessly into his routine. Living near Todd Street in Wilkinsburg, he regularly uses stations like Liberty and Gross and the Wilkinsburg Park and Ride, which make it easy to start and end trips close to home.
Paul considers himself as a "dedicated e-assist rider", appreciating how POGOH's electric bikes make longer trips and Pittsburgh hills more accessible. One of his most frequent destinations is the Homewood YMCA, where he rides to play basketball. These rides are not rushed or stressful. Instead, they have become something he genuinely looks forward to.
POGOH has had a meaningful impact on Paul’s daily life, especially when it comes to his mental health. He describes POGOH as something that has “revolutionized my alone time.” Riding gives him space to think, reset, and move through the city at his own pace. The result is a sense of calm he did not expect but now deeply values.
Perhaps most powerfully, POGOH reconnected Paul with the simple joy of biking. It reminded him of what it felt like to ride as a kid, when biking was "fun, freeing, and uncomplicated". That feeling had faded over time, but POGOH brought it back.
For anyone who has never tried POGOH before, Paul’s encouragement is simple. Give it a shot. Especially if you feel constrained by car travel or overwhelmed by daily routines, biking can change how you experience your city.
When asked to describe POGOH in just one word, Paul chose “convenient.” But listening to his story, it is clear that for him, POGOH is much more than that. It is calming, joyful, and a reminder that transportation can feel good.
Congratulations to Paul Wynkoop and all of POGOH’s Top Riders. You remind us why we do what we do—because biking creates freedom, connection, and possibility in everyday life. We’re grateful for every ride you take with us ♥︎
Written by Anna D'Acierno