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We wanted to learn a little bit more about our Brooklyn Bicycle Co. community, so we created a new section of our journal dedicated to some of the people we’ve been fortunate to call customers.
Each month we will feature a different member of the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. community and share what makes them tick.
With that said, our first spotlight is…
Ysanet Batista of Woke Foods
Where do you call home and explain some of your favorite things about your community?
Currently I call Brooklyn home but my family and I originally hail from Harlem, NY via the Dominican Republic. I live in Oceanhill/Bedstuy area of Brooklyn and I love the diversity of my neighborhood, all the various food options, and the large biking community that exists.
Tell us about Woke Foods and the other projects you’re currently working on.
I am a self-taught (or a grandma-trained chef) and Woke Foods is a project that was born in March 2016 as a side hustle when I left my non-profit. Woke Foods is a worker-owned cooperative food business, which means that all the employees are owners of the business, in order to create a democratic workplace rooted in justice. We focus on cooking plant-based foods rooted in the flavors of the Dominican Republic using seasonal ingredients from local farms in NY.
Other projects I am working on include a training program for other local food businesses, a blog highlighting sustainable living and food practices, and I recently got a grant to teach cooking class for activists living in low-income housing.
What are you most passionate about? What passions drove you to your chosen field?
I am passionate about food sovereignty, racial equity, gender, environmental, and economic justice. My passions for all those pillars have allowed me to integrate them into my work as a chef and creator of passion projects. I recently learned the word multihyphenate, which essentially means I am a jack of all trades. I am passionate about various things but all have the common thread of creating liberation and equity in all ways.
What impact has your bike had on your lifestyle?
It has been great using my bike as an alternative transportation method that saves me money, allows me to be less dependent on the MTA or its fare hikes, decreases my carbon foot print, and increases my body movement.
What are the top 3 places you bike to?
I bike to school (I study agriculture at Farm School NYC), my partner's house, and to Prospect Park.
What does the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. brand mean to you?
Brooklyn Bicycle Co. means locally-owned, comfort, and sustainability.
We build bikes for vivid lives—for taking adventures, reconnecting with old friends, discovering new neighborhoods and exploring hidden gems. Inspired by the streets of Brooklyn, our bikes are built for style, comfort, and durability. Made with top quality parts, crafted with care, and sold at an affordable price, your bike is yours for life. We scrutinize every component for maximum sustainability and performance, and every millimeter of the frame for ultimate comfort and style. We take pride in our process, in our products, and in the people who sell them.