Inspirational stories

Cycling City's roadshow team have been helping people across Bristol and South Gloucestershire to get back in the saddle.

Here's a few of the inspiring stories...

Ruth

Ruth, from St George, took advantage of Cycling City's loan bike offer to learn how to ride.

"People have said “It’s as easy as riding a bike”. Well, it isn’t that easy when you’re 56 years old but it is very possible to learn. With the help of others and a lot of determination, it's actually very achievable.

"Without help from the Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils, the challenge I set myself could never have been met. Through Bristol Cycling City's free loan bike scheme, I borrowed a folding bike for a month over the summer.

"Because I work in South Gloucestershire, I was entitled to free adult cycle training. My instructor was Debbie. She inspired me so much, and pushed me to carry on when I didn't feel like it.

"My family, friends and work colleagues have encouraged me every pedal of the way and admired my bruises as proof of my efforts.

"My husband has spent many hours at weekends with me while I’ve cycled round ……and round ……. and round the car parks of superstores after they’ve closed. (I’ve probably also featured quite heavily on their CCTV footage. I hope I’ve given them some entertainment to brighten up their Monday mornings!)

"I didn’t have a bike as a child so it came as a surprise to my Mother that I didn’t know how to cycle. Now she thinks I’m entering the Tour de France next year! Maybe not that good yet, but I’m getting there!"

Lilya

Lilya is a real inspiration to all of us. She describes herself as "70 years young" and has been cycling in Bristol for the last 40 years.

Her trusty bike is her primary mode of transport and she isn’t fazed by hills or traffic. Not only does cycling keep Lilya fit but it gives her a sense of freedom, to go where she wants, when she wants.

John

John is 73 years old and from Lawerence Weston. Some years ago John was diagnosed with breathing problems and his enjoyment of walking and cycling became a struggle.

John stumbled across the road show team at a community event and was very excited at the possibilities that the electric bike offered him.

John jumped at the chance for a test ride and was soon whizzing along the Pill path beneath the Suspension bridge, even trying a few hills to see how the bike helped.

"I'm fed up with cycling the same routes. Last week I could only get to Saltford along the Railway Path before I was breathless.

"With an electric bike I'll be free to roam around Bristol and see the countryside once more. I need to stay fit and an electric bike could be just the job."

Emily

Emily lives in Bishopston but works in Brislington. She was keen to commute by bike but struggled to find a pleasant route.

One of the road show advisors spent time with Emily finding a route with less traffic and less hills - quite a challenge in Bristol! Having planned a route, the advisor rode to work with Emily to familiarize her with it.

Emily said: “The cycling adviser led me at a nice gentle pace and showed me parts of Bristol like the river path that I had never used before. It was very worthwhile, and I’ll now use the route whenever I cycle to work.”

Catherine

Catherine Hall wanted to start regularly cycling from her home in Kingswood to Temple Meads.

A keen runner, Catherine had been thinking about cycling for some time and she has a number of reasons why the bike could be the option for her:

'I'm quite fortunate that I live near the Bristol to Bath cycle path, so I have a great traffic free route. It takes me anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to get to work, using a combination of driving and the Park and Ride. If I cycle, I can decide when to leave, I know what time I'll arrive and I'll save money on petrol and bus fares.”

On this website we also have a section called Your Stories. If you're a fan of riding in and around Bristol, write in and tell us why you love cycling so much.