Howard Chan was a very early member of TBN. We're not exactly sure when he joined, but he originally had a 2-digit membership number. We believe he joined the first or second year that TBN existed.

Howard had a big heart and was extremely generous of his time, especially towards community nonprofit activities. He was willing to give of himself and for someone without a lot of financial means this showed the type of human being he was.

He was the number one volunteer for Bicycles Crossing Borders, which established a comprehensive bike repair facility in Old Havana and sent bikes and parts to Cuba. He recruited other volunteers for the project from among his many friends in the TBN. As well he was a reliable volunteer for the West End Bike Club, which operated out of Dufferin Mall underground parking garage and taught adults and children basic bike repair and let them take home a bike that they had worked on.

Howard participated in several bike tours with other members of the TBN, including a 3-week tour of Nova Scotia, and two separate tours through the Eastern Townships to Quebec City. He was a regular volunteer in Ride for Heart, helping out riders by fixing flats and other bike problems.

Howard, along with Mark Brousseau, originated the City Walk program, to provide winter activities for TBN members that were less strenuous than the existing Out-of-Town Hike and Cross-Country Skiing programs.

He was also proud of his eccentricities and his frugality. He redefined a renaissance man as someone who could maximize enjoyment with few resources.