Cycle to Work Day is a national event that aims to encourage everyone to take to two wheels on 13 September 2017. It’s promoted by Cyclescheme UK and Halfords. Here, at The Arcade Bristol, we are getting behind this great idea and hope everyone will cycle on down to The Arcade.
With less than a month to go, Destination Bristol’s chief executive, John Hirst, explains why he recommends getting involved. John is renowned for not just cycling to and from work each day but also for getting on his bike to travel between meetings whenever he can.
He has spent his last two holidays in the saddle too, riding from Bristol to Paris in April and from Bristol to Bordeaux in July, raising money for Above & Beyond and PROPS respectively. He also took part in the Tour of Broadmead and is pictured above with Lenny the Bear from St Peter’s Hospice, one of the eight charities that benefited from the event.
John says:
“I have been in Bristol for almost 20 years… my job before resulted in me driving about 80,000 miles per year, we worked out I sat in my car for the equivalent of January 1st through to Feb 13th, nonstop!!
“My life has changed so much, and for the better. Every day I cycle to and from work and to and from meetings. I feel fitter, happier and my head is clearer due to the exercise. I thoroughly recommend cycling to work, give it a try. If you get wet don’t worry, just take a change of clothes; each year I get wet only about 30 times.
“The safety angle is one that concerns people and I agree that you need to be careful. Some drivers are not aware of cyclists so you need to think ahead and try to second guess what the driver is planning to do.
“Help yourself; can you be seen easily? Do you have lights? Are you a good cyclist? Don’t just think bike, also think car and think pedestrian! Let’s all share the space safely.
“Bristol is blessed with some great cycle paths. I suggest you plan your route around them where possible and if you cycle a little further to be on the cycle path don’t worry; the exercise is good for you!
“I can't think of many/any good reasons to sit behind a steering wheel in a queue of traffic… get your bike out and be part of the solution and not part of the problem… you will love it!
“Happy cycling everyone!”
Cyclescheme UK lets you bike now, pay later, and save pounds!
The scheme allows you to get up to £1000 worth of bike and accessories through your employer. You pay a monthly ‘salary sacrifice’ to effectively ‘hire’ the bike and kit over a 12 month period. After that time you have the option to purchase the bike. You are likely to save between 25% and 39% compared to the cost of buying outright on day one.
