You are in: Home / Getting Started / Wheel Deal /

Wheel Deal

 
 

Feature Six: Workplace Cycling Officer

Matt MoranIn the latest of our “Wheel Deal” cycling features we meet Matt Moran, the council’s new Workplace Cycling Officer whose role on the Cycling Demonstration Town Team is to encourage more people to cycle to work.
 
Matt took up the post in January 2009 and brings a wealth of experience in marketing and sport. He has a long-time passion for cycling which encompasses cycle commuting, cycle sport and cycling as a form of healthy activity. Matt provides a wide range of support to workplaces seeking ways to encourage more of their employees to cycle to work including advice on training, facilities, parking and much more.
 
Organisations which have benefited from support include University of Cumbria, North Lancs. Primary Care Trust, Lancaster University, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster and Morecambe College and Lancaster City Council itself.
 
Matt told us: In recent years Lancaster and Morecambe has benefited from investment in new infrastructure such as improving the on and off-road cycling network, increasing cycle parking provision and new and improved signage. All of these help to make commuting to work by bike an easier and more enjoyable experience.
 
There has simply never been a better time to get your bike out of the garage or shed, pump up the tires, lubricate the chain and get cycling. Journeys under 5 miles can take less than 30 minutes by bike and are often quicker than using a car in congested towns and cities. So why else should you cycle to work?
 
We are all looking at ways to beat the credit crunch and cycling offers a very low-cost way of getting around. Although petrol prices have come down a little in the past few months there are still savings of hundreds of pounds per year to be made by leaving the car at home and cycling to work. You’ll also save on maintenance and parking costs too.
 
Ever sat in rush-hour traffic, crawling along at 5mph and wondered when you are finally going to get home? It’s no fun, but for those who already cycle to and from work these are not daily problems. Cycle commuters benefit from knowing exactly what time they will arrive at their destination, so not only do they arrive at the office on time in the morning, they also know what time they will get home. Cycling also means you have a guaranteed seat every day, something that not all public transport users enjoy!
 
There are some obvious health benefits to cycling to work. It’s a great cardiovascular workout and is a low-impact activity which is suitable for many people, including those who may have problems with joints. Whilst you may not be fit enough to win the Tour de France this summer, cycling to work will help you to maintain a healthy weight and result in an increased level of fitness. You’ll feel great when you get to work too, awake and ready to meet whatever challenges come your way.
 
2009 is the year to give up the gym membership and include your daily workout into your normal routine. Why spend an extra hour away from home in the evening at the gym when you can build this exercise time into your daily commute. Don’t forget the savings on the gym membership too!
 
And finally, whatever your view on climate change, cycling to work is a pollution and congestion free way to get around. It makes the local area a better place to live for everybody – less traffic and less noise. If you want help getting started with cycling to work then the Cycling Demonstration Town team is here to help.
 
There’s a wide range of information on cycle commuting available at www.celebratingcycling.org/work  
 

Feature Five: Cycle Training

cycle trainingOver the last couple of months, our special cycling features have offered readers advice on how to choose a bike, how to look after it and how to get started.
 
For those of our readers who haven’t ridden a bike for a while and need some encouragement or who cycle regularly but want to brush up on their cycling skills, the council’s Cycling Demonstration Town Team have sent us a whole raft of training opportunities currently on offer for the young, the old and those in between.
 
 
Maintenance Training Courses
Accredited sessions are offered by Pedal Power in cycling skills and maintenance - at a range of levels. Call them on 01524 65328 to register your interest.
 
 
Children’s Courses (Bikeability)
Bikeability is the Cycling Proficiency Test for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today's roads. We currently offer Bikeability training to Yrs 5, 6 and 7 in all our Bike It Schools.
 
We also offer Bikeability style courses in the school holidays via the council’s Holiday Activity programme and at weekends – including the ever popular Learn to Cycle (for ages 4+).
 
Check out when and where cycling courses are taking place during the February half-term holiday by picking up a Holiday Activities Programme available from Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Lancaster and Morecambe Town Hall, tourist information centres and community pools or by visiting www.lancaster.gov.uk/whatson.
 
More information about bikeability at www.bikeability.org.uk
 
 
Go Ride
The Salt Ayre Cog Set, Lancaster’s cycling club for young people, runs every Saturday morning at Salt Ayre at 10am. Everyone is welcome, whether new to cycling or experienced in the sport - all you need is a working bike and a helmet. Children younger than eight are able to take part as long as parents accompany them for the session.
Sessions cost £1 and are run by qualified coaches. The 2009 season will start on March 28 and run until October.
More information at http://cogset.org.uk
 
 
Healthy Wheels
Drop in cycling sessions every Saturday at 11am from Salt Ayre Sports centre. These sessions are free and a few bikes are available to loan (these must be booked in advance). Sessions last for an hour and a half and offer a great opportunity to get fit, meet new people and explore the local area. Open to all abilities although not suitable for complete beginners. No need to book – just turn up!
 
For more information on any of the above training opportunities, visit the council’s cycling website www.celebratingcycling.org or email celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk.
 
 

Feature Four: Bike to the Rescue

I'd love to cycle to work but I haven't ridden a bike since I was 12. I've got three small children who need taking to nursery and school where we live in Heysham. I've just started a new job as a secretary in an office in Lancaster and the thought of arriving at work sweating with a terminal case of helmet hair just doesn't appeal. The bypass road is too busy to cycle along and I'm not sure how safe the cycle track is. That was what I was thinking three months ago.
 
Then, at 8 o'clock on a cold November morning a friend telephoned to warn me that the roads into Lancaster were grid-locked because a wagon had overturned. I had to be in Lancaster at 9.30am and couldn't be late so having considered all the options I was only left with one which didn't involve a train timetable or road; I'd have to cycle.
 
I had to borrow a bicycle, which wasn't ideal, but I managed to find some tracksuit trousers gathering dust in a drawer after a short-lived gym membership. After dropping my children off, I made a very wobbly start towards the bypass road. I decided I probably wasn't the most graceful thing on two wheels but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was getting the hang of it.
I reached the end of the bypass and as I dismounted to cross at the roundabout my legs turned to jelly. I couldn't believe how unfit I felt given that I'd only been cycling for a grand total of 15 minutes.
 
I knew there was a cycle track at Salt Ayre somewhere and I had my fingers crossed that it led on to the path that I'd seen from my car window whenever I was stuck in traffic on Greyhound Bridge.
 
I found the cycle track surprisingly easy and I quickly realised that I had cycled in 10 minutes what usually takes 25 minutes by car during rush hour. The cycle track took me straight past the standing traffic, the overturned wagon and all the police cars. I reached work at exactly 9.30am and after a quick change I was ready to go.
 
I had proved myself wrong about everything I thought was stopping me cycling and contacted the council’s Cycling Demonstration Town Team for help on choosing equipment and the right bike on a budget. Soon I will have covered the cost of my bike with what I have saved in car park fees and fuel costs. It only took a couple of weeks before I noticed I was getting much more confident, I was using harder gears and my legs didn‘t go wobbly at the end of the bypass anymore - I felt great!
 
I’m never going to resemble a speedy London Bicycle Courier but I wouldn’t swap my quiet morning cycle along the River Lune (rain or shine) for the stress of stopping and starting in rush hour traffic.
 
 

Feature Three: Top Tips on Getting Started

Struggling to keep hold of those New Year resolutions of keeping fit, losing weight and saving money in 2009?

Why not achieve all three and take up cycling!

In the latest of our special cycling features, Lancaster City Council Bike Buddy Dave Horton offers some advice on how to get you off to a smooth start.

If you cycle regularly, cycling is easy and straightforward. But for people just starting out, it’s getting to that point which is the hard part! If you’re thinking of getting a bike, or getting out on the bike you’ve already got, it’s important to bear in mind that – like everything – it’ll get easier with time. Meanwhile, here are a few tips to make those early bike rides go more smoothly.

First of all, it’s worth thinking about equipment. Most obviously, this means a bike!

If you’re buying a bike, it makes sense to pause and think about what you’re most likely to use it for. Cycling’s a lot easier, and much more fun, on a bike that’s right for the job. So you really don’t want energy-sapping suspension and thick, knobbly tyres if most of your riding will be around town. Also bear in mind that you get what you pay for. If you want to enjoy cycling, and to keep riding, buying the cheapest bike you can find is not the best option. Better bikes tend to cost a bit more (not a lot more, but a bit more), and are worth every penny.

If you’re pulling a bike from the back of the shed, spend a bit of time checking it over before going for a ride. It’s soul-destroying to plan a bike trip and then, just before you go, pulling your bike out to discover it’s got a puncture, or the gears don’t work properly. If you know someone who knows a bit about bikes, ask them to help – they’ll more than likely be glad to get you on your way. Small things like oiling the chain, pumping tyres to the right pressure, and getting your saddle and handlebars to the right height all make for a much more enjoyable ride.

Then there’s your biking bits and bobs. Although it might seem like it’s all getting more complicated and costly than you’d imagined, it’s definitely worth getting what you need to make cycling comfortable. So don’t be afraid to spend a bit of money to get yourself properly set up. Don’t worry, cycling will save you money (as well as making you fitter, healthier and happier) but only if you invest in some sensible purchases at the outset.

If you get nothing else, get mudguards! You’re riding in north-west England! That’s lucky for you, because it’s such a beautiful place to ride. But it can also be wet! Without a rear mudguard, wet roads give you a splattered back and wet bum. Without a front one, you’ll get wet feet. With two mudguards, you’ve a fighting chance of staying dry.

I’d also strongly recommend you get a rear rack, and a pannier or two to hang off it. Panniers are bags specially designed to hang from a rack. Carrying stuff in panniers is much easier than carrying it on your back, or having a plastic bag dangling off your handlebars. Also, always having a bag on your bike makes it much easier to carry the other things it’s often wise to have to hand – a lock, lights, rain jacket and (if you’re going more than a mile or two) a pump and spare inner tube.

Once you’re properly set up, it’s time to ride! Here, the golden rule is to plan your route. Be aware that the route you already know between two places, perhaps from driving, is often not the best cycling route. We’ve got some fantastic off-road routes in this district, and there’s all manner of little short-cuts you can take on a bike – it’s worth making use of them. So if you know someone who already cycles, ask them to help you figure out the best route. Also get a local cycling map (available free from the Town Halls, libraries and elsewhere), or make use of the City Council’s free Bike Buddy service. We’re here to help!

If you can, do your early journeys with a friend or relative. You can egg each other along, provide one another with a bit of reassurance, or at least have a good laugh together! And there’ll be someone with whom you can share the tale afterwards.

Thinking about all this stuff might sound like a hassle, but in actual fact – like everything else in life - you soon get used to it. And once you’re properly set up, you can concentrate on enjoying yourself.

And that’s my final tip. Enjoy yourself! Once you’re up and pedalling, there’s a whole new world out there waiting to be explored. On a bike, your stale old journeys will take on a fresh new lease of life. And make use of our superb local cycling routes to give your social life a boost too - along the canal for a pub lunch, out to Morecambe or Glasson for ice-cream, or to the Crook o’Lune for a picnic. You’ll be very glad you made the effort.

Dave is one of the District’s Bike Buddies. If you want a Bike Buddy to help you with getting started on your bike, email celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk.

Alternatively why not cycling along to Salt Ayre every Saturday morning from January 17 where the CDT Team will be holding Healthy Wheels cycling and training sessions. Sessions start at 11am and last for an hour and a half offering a great opportunity for you to get fit, meet new people and explore the local area.

The sessions are open to all abilities, however, they aren’t suitable for complete beginners. There’s no need to book - just turn up.

 

Feature Two: Bike Maintenance

If you're a seasoned cyclist, you'll probably already appreciate that the time spent cleaning and maintaining your bike can avoid costly repairs in the long run and help keep you safe on your travels.

For all those who are new to cycling or lucky enough to be getting one for Christmas, here's some advice from the council's Cycling Demonstration Town Team on how to keep your bike in tip top condition and fit for the road.

You should get into the habit of checking your bike regularly. A good way of doing this is the ‘M’ check which ensures you don’t miss anything: start with the front hub and wheel, up to the handlebars, down to the bottom bracket, back up to the saddle and end at the back wheel, looking out for potential trouble-spots in between.

Every time you take your bike out, carry out a simple pre-ride check including the brakes, tyres, nuts and bolts (and anything that might fall off or get stuck). Using a specialist cleaner, or just plain old detergent, to wipe down your frame regularly will be a much easier task than trying to remove layers of dirt that have been allowed to accumulate over the weeks. If you have had a busy day cycling in mud, it is best to give your bike a wipe down as soon as you return home. You may be tired but it is a chore that will benefit both you and your bike.

Keep your bike well lubricated especially wires and other metal, moving parts (but not the brakes and wheel rims). Wipe excess oil from the chain with an old cloth.

Keep your tyres well pumped up as this reduces the likelihood of punctures. Pumped up tyres take less energy to ride on as they give less drag and wear out more slowly. Check your manual (or tyres) for recommended pressure. Also make sure to check for wear and tear.
 
Check your brakes - the key to cycling is being able to stop when you want. Pads have a wear line. If the rubber's gone then there's nothing left to stop you.

Whenever you come to put a bolt or a cable back on your bike, you should lubricate it with a touch of grease. Specialist bike grease is available.

Get yourself a mini tool kit. This should include a multi tool, a small adjustable spanner, a pump, grease and oil, cleaning rags, tyre levers, spare inner tube and a puncture repair kit.

For more advice visit www.cyclingforfun.co.uk and www.bike-maintenance.com.

For details of maintenance courses and drop-in sessions, call Pedal Power on 01524 65328 or email pedalpower@furniturematters.org.uk.

Also keep an eye out for Doctor Bike appearing at a cycling event near you.
 
 

Feature One: Buying a Bicycle (Nov 2008)

Buying a bicycle for your child at Christmas is as exciting for the parents as it is the kids. Youngsters are usually only interested in the look of the bike but getting the size right is much more important for their safety and enjoyment.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for a bike:

Fitting
• Your child should be able to stand over the bicycle with both feet flat on the floor
• Whilst sitting on the seat s/he should be able to place the balls of his/her feet on the ground.
• Sitting on the seat, s/he must be able to comfortably reach the handlebars and squeeze the handbrakes.
• Get a bike simple enough for your child to handle and let her/him test ride it if possible.
• Don’t buy a bike which is too big for your child in the hope that s/he will grow into it.

Shop at your local bike shop. A bike from a local specialist will have been assembled properly and they will be able to offer you some useful advice. Please see discount vouchers below.

You get what you pay for. Buy the best bike you can - a good bike will last for years, can stand up to kid abuse and, with good maintenance, can be sold once your child has outgrown it. A good quality second hand bike may be better value than a cheap new one.

Less can be more. A lighter, simpler bike is easier to pedal and to move around. A bike with lots of features like suspension and disc brakes will probably be heavier, poorer quality and harder to maintain than a simple one of a similar price.

Learners - buy a bike with easily removable pedals or a pedalless trainer bike. The best way for kids to learn to balance is by scooting on a bike without pedals.

Safety Accessories. If your child will be cycling to and from school in winter or at other times when it may be dark please make sure they have lights and reflectors on their bikes, and that they wear high viz clothing. Helmets reduce the chance of a head injury in a crash, but only if they fit properly. Higher-quality helmets will be much easier to adjust. Let your kids pick out a model they like.

More Advice. For more buying advice and information visit www.bikeforall.net or www.whycycle.co.uk.

Remember: A properly fitted, high-quality bicycle is safer. Investing a little time and money will go a long way to make sure your child has a great Christmas and a ‘Happy Cycling New Year!’