From Construction to Co-Founding RYDI: Shayne Chassie’s Story

By Shayne Chassie, co-founder of RYDI

I started working in construction at 20. Ten years later, I’m still working—but I’m also building a business with my co-founder, Jennifer Bray.

That business is RYDI, a motorcycle rental marketplace we’re developing in Langley, British Columbia.

A workplace injury helped change how I thought about my future. I wanted to build something of my own. I’m keeping the details of that injury private, but it became part of the reason I started taking that idea seriously.

What construction taught me

My background includes traffic control, pipeline work and civil construction across Western Canada.

I worked in traffic control with Acciona in North Vancouver, as a welder’s helper on Coastal GasLink near Houston, BC, and on the Trans Mountain expansion with Ledcor around Fort Saskatchewan. I also worked on solar projects in Alberta and in civil construction with Clearway in the Lower Mainland.

Those jobs taught me the value of preparation, clear communication and documentation. On a job site, people need to know what they’re responsible for and what happens next. I want that same clarity in RYDI’s rental process.

Fifteen years riding

I’ve been riding motorcycles for 15 years. Riding is a big part of why I want to build this business in BC.

There are visitors who want to experience the province by motorcycle, local riders who want more rental choices, and owners whose bikes spend time parked. Jennifer and I are building RYDI to help connect them.

Our aim is to give people clear choices about the bike, the rental period, pickup or delivery, and the costs involved before they commit.

Building RYDI together

Jennifer Bray and I are RYDI’s co-founders. We’re developing a platform where owners can list motorcycles and riders can request rentals, with review and documentation built into the process.

The planned rental workflow includes reviewing listings and riders, recording motorcycle condition at pickup and return, and making rental charges and deposit requirements clear.

We’re also planning RYDI-owned gear rentals and delivery options. Those services will be introduced as inventory, operating arrangements and the required terms are ready. They aren’t available simply because we’ve described the plan.

We intend to combine owner-listed motorcycles with a limited company-controlled fleet. That fleet is a business goal, not a claim that every bike is already purchased or available to rent.

Still working to fund the build

I’m still working construction to help fund RYDI. I also operate RYDI Transport, an emergency hotshot hauling business.

Building the motorcycle platform alongside that work takes time. I’m focused on getting it ready properly: the booking experience, the owner controls, customer support and the arrangements behind the service.

I don’t want to present a finished success story before we’ve done the work. This is the story of building it.

Jennifer and I want RYDI to become a useful part of BC’s riding community. That starts with being clear about what we offer, what we’re still developing, and who is behind it.

Learn about RYDI at rydi.ca.

Connect with Shayne Chassie on LinkedIn.

About the author: Shayne Chassie co-founded RYDI with Jennifer Bray in Langley, British Columbia. He has 10 years of construction experience and has ridden motorcycles for 15 years. He continues working to fund RYDI’s development and also operates RYDI Transport.