It’s Bike Week! From the 5th to the 11th this week we will talk cycling! Bike Week has run 100 years this week, marking a century of promoting cycling as an everyday activity for everyone.

This year, Bike Week 100 is all about workplace cycling. Wellbeing at Work encourage you to put the car keys away and cycle to work! With that, Shawnie spoke to one of our team members, Andrew Pratt, Health Improvement Specialist, part of the Wellbeing at Work Team. Andy spoke about cycling and how it can be very simple and easy to do…

Thanks for meeting with us today, Andy. So, you cycle regularly. What do you love about it?

I have been cycling for years! I love the freedom of going anywhere! The breeze in your hair when you glide down the road and the fantastic 360-degree view of the world is amazing! I love that you can travel at any speed, and the length of your journey entirely depends on you. It’s so much faster than walking and not that much more complicated. Also, the actual mechanics of a bike are very simple, extremely reliable, and easy and affordable to maintain.

It’s inspiring to hear about your passion for cycling. You say you have been doing it for years, do you have any motivational words to encourage others?

Cycling is definitely one of my passions. It is lovely! It would be great if everyone got cycling. However, of course we have to consider that the sun isn’t always shining. Plymouth is surrounded by hills, which can be off-putting for some people, plus our roads can become quite busy but cycle routes around Plymouth are becoming better and better, so bear with us!… Cycling is great for wellbeing; it’s low impact and gets you physically active regularly at any level or speed. Cycling also exposes you to the stimulations of the outdoor environment, taking you where you want to be – plus it is the most ecologically sustainable form of travel, apart from walking or if you have a horse to ride!

Plus, you don’t have to wear lycra and get all the kit some people have when cycling – you can if you want to! But you really don’t have to… Nor do you need to pretend you are doing the Tour De France. If you just want to go round the block or travel a few miles to the shops or the office, you can do without the flashy things. I am a slow cyclist. I bike to work, the shops and visit friends all in my usual clothing and trainers! These days as well, now that there are more and more cyclists, the roads are getting better, it is less dangerous, and most car drivers are very careful.

I must admit, I agree the hills around Plymouth are a pain! And I haven’t cycled for a couple of years. What would you suggest for those who are new to cycling or want to get back into it but hate hills like I do?

Well for those newly introduced to cycling or haven’t done it since childhood, I would say definitely give it a go now! Our bikes are so much better than what they used to be, better speed, comfort, enhanced and improved brakes, and gears! Plus, with summer approaching, this is the right time to cycle!

For the hills however, I would say try e-bikes! Hire out a new Beryl bike first and if you love it, then consider purchasing an e-bike! They are more expensive of course, you need to spend a bit to get a decent model, but more and more people realise how brilliant they are! You are still physically active because you need to pedal, but that extra electric push makes all the difference when you encounter hills! The rider can also adjust the power level required from the bike according to their needs – less power from the bike, more pedal from you and vice versa!

I have seen more and more people using e-bikes and they look like so much fun. What about those who aren’t able to pay big money all at once?

Then this is the most convenient opportunity to find out whether your employer participates in the ‘cycle to work’ scheme! You can purchase an all-new bike the easy way, paying in instalments which are tax deductible. This will help you save up to 39% on the price of a new bike!

That’s brilliant. Thanks, Andy, for speaking with me today! Any last words?

We can all make a difference to the world we live in. So, let’s get on our bikes for starters!

To learn more about the cycle to work scheme click here.

For more information on local cycling, including family fun rides, women’s cycling groups, cycle routes and events, click here.