Bike baby beats commuter blues
A new baby has proved no barrier for a Warwickshire County Council worker who is continuing her commute by bicycle.
Next week from 16-24 June is National Bike Week and Sustainable Travel Officer Nicola Small is demonstrating that her new baby girl Jodie did not put a spoke in the wheel of her plans to get to work from Leamington to Warwick.
Nicola said: "Cycling is a quick, healthy and enjoyable way of getting to and from work. I have been cycle commuting for five years, but now that I have a ten-month-old daughter to transport to nursery with all her equipment, I was worried it wouldn’t work out. However, it’s working out really well.
“I can tell she loves it because she babbles all the way. I don’t even notice the extra weight, but I know it’s great exercise, and my daughter gets to see the world from a new perspective.
"Hopefully she’ll grow up to enjoy bicycles and the fresh air, and won’t become another single occupancy car driver on the already congested road."
And cyclists across Warwickshire are being encouraged to get back in the saddle next week to discover the benefits of cycling, whether as a healthy leisure pastime, or method of transport to and from work.
Cycling 30 minutes to work will be about 200 calories, which is the equivalent of burning 11kg (almost a stone) in weight a year.
Warwickshire County Council has organised a number of activities to encourage their staff to cycle to work instead of using their cars, including having a Bike2Work day.
Staff are being encouraged to leave their cars at home and to dust off their bikes instead. Staff will be rewarded for their efforts with a goody bag and given the opportunity to have their bikes checked out by ‘Dr Bike’ courtesy of John Atkins cycles, Leamington.
Staff that are unable to cycle on the day will be asked to make a donation to Leukaemia Research.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Bike Week is a great excuse for all ages to get on their bikes and get fit at the same time, while helping to cut pollution.”
If anyone has any cycling plans of their own or Bike Week events for their workplace, school or for a social group, then let Hannah Collett know at Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team, on 01926 412252 or hannahcollett@warwickshire.gov.uk.