It’s #TakeoverTuesday, when we pull our most recent Instagram takeover participant off the ‘gram and onto our website for a fun Q&A on what they’re all about.
Last week, bicyclist and engineer Katie Taylor (@kmt88) brought @longbeachpost followers on a fun ride around town. From a stop at Belmont Brewing Company all the way to 4th Street Vine on Retro Row, Taylor hit up all the local favorites. She even swung by Cal State Long Beach for a quick jog with the Long Beach Frontrunners, an LGBTQ-friendly running club.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj5j6U2A63X/
What about Long Beach enticed you to move here from Georgia eight years ago?
I graduated college in 2010, and job opportunities were very scarce. I wanted to stay in the southeast; in fact, I had never traveled west of the Mississippi River! But my job offer was for an ~18 month developmental rotation in Carson, California. My parents pitched a huge fit about me moving across the country, but I held my ground—what other choice did I have? We flew out to apartment shop in the south bay.
In Long Beach, we waited outside the beautiful Lafayette building to see a studio. A woman walked up to us from down the street with a cup of coffee in her hand. I immediately fell in love—I could walk places?? To get coffee??? I ended up settling in Alamitos Beach and I still haven’t left.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-h_n4gIaq/
How did you get into riding bikes and what do you love so much about the bicycling community here?
I didn’t ride bicycles in Atlanta at all. I had this image of racers and mountain bikers in my head. But soon after moving here, I saw women in dresses riding beach cruisers down the beach path. I thought – I can do that! My first Walmart beach cruiser was stolen a month later (PSA: lock up your bicycle even in a closed garage). I wandered into the original bike station looking for a new one. A man sleeping in a folding chair stirred and said, “I can sell you one.” His name was Bernard, organizer of the Cyclone Coasters vintage bicycle ride. Next thing you know, I’m riding with 200 vintage bicycle aficionados on my 1948 Shelby beach cruiser.
I love the sense of community around bicycles here. I always say it’s impossible to ride around without smiling. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I have made so many of my friends here through riding bicycles, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkA3DqdAqRD/
What do you do for a living and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I’m an engineer! My background is chemical engineering, but I’ve held a lot of different types of jobs, including most recently operations supervisor. I enjoy solving big hairy complicated “gray area” problems. I am fascinated by tradeoffs, risks, uncertainty, optimization, safety… I want to know how to make the best decision with limited information.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBlIp0gzCW/
I saw that you recently became engaged! Congratulations and how did you two meet?
Thank you! We met online through OkCupid. Our first date was at the original Simmzy’s in Manhattan Beach, and he was an hour late. If I wasn’t facing one-hour-plus of traffic myself to go home, I would have left. Instead I had a beer at the bar, and the rest is now history. This is the only time I’m grateful for LA traffic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkEA0T9gGXR/
If you were a superhero living in Long Beach, what would be your superpower and how would you use it to assist the community?
Oh, my friends would laugh that my brain is too literal for this question. I’m not good at silver bullet type solutions, but I would love to help our people experiencing homelessness. I’d like to snap my fingers and give everyone a safe, warm, happy home they want and can afford.
Want a shot at a takeover? Is your profile public? Email [email protected] with a little information about yourself, why you love Long Beach and why you’d be a great @longbeachpost #TAKEOVER candidate!