Bicing, Barcelona

"...cycling has made me healthier – or at least think about a healthier way of living."

On Your Bikes: Why Cycle City Scheme Will Work For You
Words by Zarina Holmes

I rediscovered cycling this summer after 13 years of commuting via trains, underground and buses. 7 years of it was commuting to Croydon from central London via buses and trains, 5 days a week battling other grumpy commuters.

That was quite enough. I wanted to change the way I do things in life and find a more sustainable way to get from A to B.

I researched the pros and cons of cycling on London roads, which is not the most ideal environment for cyclists.

It started when I was writing a piece about UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans.

CEO Malcolm Shepherd explained to me that Sustrans has been responsible in linking the country through the National Cycle Network.

Sustrans has also been involved in Connect2, an effort to create new crossings and bridges to overcome barriers such as busy roads, rivers and railways, giving people easier and healthier access to their schools, shops, parks and countryside.

I told Shepherd that I really want to take up cycling but had concerns about my safety.

“My advice for beginners like you is to start with a cycle buddy, someone who has considerable cycling experience in London,” he advised. “Also get your bicycle checked and good cycle maps.”

Within a few weeks, I visited the nearest Cyclopedia and got myself a shiny, new white Ridgeback Meteor. I was so proud; it could have been a Ferrari.

Returning to cycling has changed my life.

Firstly, I discovered a whole new cyclist community out there. They gave me plenty of road safety advice and tips to safer, shortcut routes. My social life improved. I had great cycling weekends with friends.

Secondly, cycling has made me healthier – or at least think about a healthier way of living. I made a mistake of cycling three miles without having breakfast beforehand, which was a bad habit I had when I used to commute by trains. It zapped out my energy so quickly; I almost got a cab home.

Velib, Paris

"You have to be fit to take up cycling. I also find that it’s impossible to feel stressed or miserable while cycling."

You have to be fit to take up cycling. I also find that it’s impossible to feel stressed or miserable while cycling.

The best perk is since taking up cycling; I haven’t brought any plastic bags home from shopping at Sainsbury’s. My bike has a wonderful detachable basket I can carry anywhere.

Unfortunately, London is quite behind compared to Paris and Barcelona in terms of providing a safer cycling environment.

Cyclists are third class citizens on our roads, being despised by both cars and pedestrians. I empathize with their reasons because I have witnessed aggressive cycling many times.

But consider this – I have never been on a London cycle lane that is not blocked by a parked lorry or van. Imagine trying to avoid that while a double decker bus whizzes pass your ear on the right.

Also curiously, some pedestrians continue to step in front of me when I’m hurtling ahead in my path at 15 miles per hour!

This is why we need charities like Sustrans to oversee that necessary effort can be made to create safer cycling environment. I believe the cycle city scheme can work successfully.

Sceptics have been proven wrong when Paris Velib won The Guardian’s Ethical Travel award in October 2008. The self-service bike-hire scheme has taken Paris by storm since its launch in July 2007.

The number has grown from 10,000 to 20,000 bicycles and 1,450 stations, about 1 station every 300 m throughout the city centre, making Velib the largest system of its kind in the world.

In March 2007 Barcelona city council launched an innovative bicycle-borrowing scheme called El Bicing.

In July 2007 there were 1500 bicycles available and by the end of 2007 the figure rose to 3000 at 194 locations. The number of registered cyclists is a staggering 100,000 with more than 4 million bicycle trips taken since its launch.