After spending the early years of his young adulthood working on an organic farm in North Carolina, Goran returned to his native Cleveland to push his other passion: bicycling. The bike mechanic and shop manager at Joy Machines Bike Shop in Ohio City advocates for cyclists across the city and would love to see Cleveland become a friendlier place for traveling via two wheels. "Getting there can be part of the fun," he says.
Sprouts of Change: Northeast Ohio's growing farm movement played a part in his move back to town. "I knew people [in Kent] that were farming and that I could farm with," he says. Locally, Goran has helped raise grains, beans and vegetables at Birdsong Farm, Rootstown Organic Farm and Breakneck Acres. "If that culture didn't exist in Northeast Ohio, I might have never moved back here."
Settling In: About 18 months ago, Goran bought a duplex in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, where he lives with his partner, Emma Pavlik. "I like the proximity to transit and Edgewater Park," he says. "It is awesome to live in an area with good neighbors, near friends and my job, and especially to be able to afford to buy a house for the first time in my life."
Finding Hope: In 2008, Goran experienced his first presidential election as a voter. While he supported Ralph Nader, Goran is still amazed by the youth movement surrounding Barack Obama. "I am happy to be part of the generation that helped elect the first black president of the United States."
Picture Perfect: Goran prefers Instagram as his social media format of choice. "I like the visual of having something exist without having a literal explanation," he says. "It helps me feel like I'm connected to people that I may not be physically close to."
Lane Changes: He wants Cleveland to be friendlier to cyclists including more protected bike lanes, such as those proposed for Lorain Avenue. "Treat cycling as the real transportation option that it is, rather than write it off as merely recreation for rich people."
YOLO: "We want good jobs, sure, but I personally don't ever want a big house or fancy car. I'd rather have flexibility and option to work less, which maybe speaks to the serious side of #yolo."
