Most of the year, Chris Chopik can be seen cruising around on his distinctive neon-green Strida, meeting clients at properties around Toronto. By going car-free, he says, he saves nearly five tonnes of CO2 a year. "It may seem weird, but…it's been very positive despite the logistical challenges. When you're in a car, you don't really experience neighbourhoods—the smell of the air and the demeanour of the people—in the same way. I say that house-hunting, like life, is better by bike, and I believe that. I love working with people in the context of real estate, but not if we have to do it in an SUV and drive up to [the distant] suburbs.”

Chopik encourages colleagues to find something they're passionate about—whether it's greener gardening, eco-technology or non-toxic playgrounds—and turning it into a vehicle for connecting with people. “Pick the thing you really like and use that as your wedge and go for it.”

When working with clients, Chopik seeks homes that reduce their transportation time. “Quality of life matters. If you're spending an hour each way commuting to work, that's 10 hours a week, or six weeks every year, spent sitting in your car, and in my view, that sucks.” (When snow forces him to leave his bike at home, Chopik depends on public transit and occasionally AutoShare, a car-sharing program.)