The Aims of Cycling Now
The aims of Cycling Now is to encourage people of all ages to gain confidence through cycle training to get out on their bike and to enjoy the freedom cycling offers.
So how can you have the freedom to cycle and feel safe?
With the appropriate training your ability to control your bike will improve. WIth increased confidence you will become safer and more confident on the road and especially in traffic. ( Even the magic roundabout!)
There are couple of knock on effects you need to be aware of.
First you will start to save money, as with cycling there is no road tax (£140), mot (£35 plus), insurance (£130 full comp) or petrol. (Annual cost of a medium size saloon doing 10k miles@30mls/g costing 92 pence/litre is £1,394). There are fewer traffic hold ups. With 78km of cycle tracks in Swindon you never need to be in a traffic jam. Rush hour car speeds for Swindon are about 19 miles per hour.
Then there is your health, you will be suprised that you will have more energy, and you'll feel fitter. You might find yourself wanting to do more things when you come home from work. Research has shown cyclists are 20 times less likely to have heart disease than a non-cyclist and therefore likely to live a few years longer. It is also a great way to keep fit. The over 50's will particularly benifit from this exercise as it is kind on the joints unlike jogging!
The Team
Neil Daycock - Orgainiser
Lewis Lawton - Senior Cycle Mechanic Instructor - Ride Leader
Sarah Bowden - Senior Cycling Instructor - Schools Bikeability Officer
Rick Bartlett - Senior Cycling Instructor - Road Bike Club
Mark Barker - Lead Instructor - Advertising & Promotion Manager
Work We Have Done
Crowdys Hill SEN School, Swindon
Denefield School, Reading
Kennet Secondary School, Newbury
Garland Junior School, Reading