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Local Profiles

In association with the CDT project the Lancaster Guardian is running a regular feature on local cyclists called WorkCycle.

This week's featured cyclist is:

Bee Harding, Workplace Cycling Officer, Lancaster City Council

How old are you?	26
Where do you live?	Lancaster
How often do you cycle to work?	Four out of five days
How long does it take you?	Only about 8 minutes.
What sort of bike do you ride?	Trek mountain bike, but planning on getting a road bike soon.
Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?	Secure undercover cycle parking, interest free loan scheme, showers, lockers & occasional bike to work breakfasts to encourage people to cycle in.
Why do you cycle to work?	It's quicker than walking and I enjoy the exercise.
Do you cycle for leisure too?	To Glasson or to the Crook O'Lune - beautiful views.
What's the best thing about cycling?	Being in the fresh air and seeing places you wouldn't normally while driving.
What's the wost thing about cycling?	Cycling against the wind.

WorkCycle No.22

Jennifer Lauruol, Garden Designer, White Cross

How old are you? 55

Where do you live? Freehold

How often do you cycle to work?
Once or twice a week, the
rest of the time I run

What sort of bike do you ride?
I have several bikes for
different kinds of cycling,
but around town I ride a Claude Butler hybrid with low gears and panniers

Do you wear a helmet
or cycle clothing?
I always wear a helmet. I wear wind or rain protection gear if it’s cold or wet, and my outer gear has high viz stripes on it

Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?

No, but I am working together with the management of White Cross to plan better cycle storage facilities for the industrial estate, hopefully to include showers and changing facilities. If anyone reads this who works at White Cross would like to get involved, please could they get in touch

Why do you cycle to work?
Because we decided to get rid of the car to reduce our carbon footprint. I also cycle because it’s healthy and gives me an energy boost.

Do you cycle for leisure too?
Yes, we do a lot of cycling around the district—one favourite is out to Morecambe then north along the Prom to Hest Bank, then back along the canal. This summer we’re cycling from the Alps to the Atlantic across France.

What's the best thing about cycling?
Waving at the motorists stuck on the Skerton Bridge! Also keeping fit and feeling full of energy

What's the wost thing about cycling?
Inconsiderate drivers who pass by too close and too fast. Also trying to get the message across to planners about the need for uninterrupted cycle lanes, for example, on the A6 between the University and Carnforth. That would make a huge difference to Lancaster.

WorkCycle No.21
Elly Postlethwaite, Art Teacher, Carnforth High School

How old are you?

30

Where do you live?

Carnforth

How often do you cycle to work?

Approx twice a week

What sort of bike do you ride?

Gary Fisher mountain bike

Do you wear a helmet
or cycle clothing?

Helmet, waterproofs and clippy shoes

Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?

A locked bike shed

Why do you cycle to work?

Fitness and Fun

Do you cycle for leisure too?

Yes - lots of faves really enjoying Grizedale's new trails

What's the best thing about cycling?

Feeling of freedom.

What's the wost thing about cycling?

Cars clipping you or driving scarily close and fast.

WorkCycle No.20
Steve Elliot, InfoLab, Lancaster University

How old are you?

45

Where do you live?

Lancaster

How often do you cycle to work?

Every day (even in very wet
weather)

What sort of bike do you ride?

Orange mountain bike

Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?

Helmet, and fluorescent jacket most of
the time.

Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?

Yes - bike boxes and showers.

Why do you cycle to work?

Car parking charges - exercise - relaxing.

Do you cycle for leisure too?

Yes - no particular favourite.

What's the best thing about cycling?

Exercise whilst commuting. Racing down a hillside.

What's the wost thing about cycling?

Rain and cars.

WorkCycle No.19

Michael Tolson, Team Manager, Riverview Day Centre

How old are you?

41

Where do you live?

Morecambe

How often do you cycle to work?

Every shift

What sort of bike do you ride?

Hybrid

Why do you cycle to work?

To keep fit, save money, avoid (sitting in) traffic jams, own speed.

Do you cycle for leisure too?

Yes. Enjoy cycling along the Canal /cycle tracks for a bar meal/drink.

What's the best thing about cycling?

Feeling of freedom. Keeps me fit.

What's the wost thing about cycling?

Strong headwinds. Traffic danger.

WorkCycle No.18
Nick Dale, Architect, Lancashire County Council

How old are you?

39

Where do you live?

Lancaster

How often do you cycle to work?

Most days - sometimes I have to
use my car.

What sort of bike do you ride?

Brompton folder. I also have a
road bike and a recumbent

Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?

Helmet, cycle clips (oh yes!), hi-vis
jacket and I also use a cycle courier
style bag to carry things on and off
the bike.

Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?

Yes, it’s very good. Safe parking, lockers for cycling equipment, showers and so on. However, I don’t usually use any of it. I just park my folder under my desk.

Why do you cycle to work?

I cycle and use the train because it is quick, convenient and sociable.

Do you cycle for leisure too?

Yes. There are lots of good routes out of and around Lancaster. The paths up the river to Bull beck and down the river to Glasson Dock are good as is the path to Morecambe. I like to ride out to Caton and return to Lancaster over a hill or two (when I’m feeling fit).

What's the best thing about cycling?

Well, by nature I’m a couch potato. By making cycling my normal way of getting around I at least get some exercise in a normal day. Furthermore I like the way getting that exercise is integrated into something else I have to do anyway (getting to work) and then finally it’s just a fun thing to do in its own right. It feels good.

What's the wost thing about cycling?

Notwithstanding what I said in reply to question 13, hills. I don’t feel fit very often. Also punctures.

WorkCycle No.17
Dr Rowena Grenfell,GP, King St Surgery

How old are you? 44

Where do you live? Scotforth, Lancaster

How often do you cycle to work?
Every day when I'm not on call.

What sort of bike do you ride?
An Avanti, bought in New Zealand

when I lived there. It is a hybrid
road/mountain bike

Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?
Yes I wear a helmet and a bright
fluorescent yellow cagoule

Why do you cycle to work?
Because I enjoy it. I like to get the fresh air and exercise and feel invigorated when I arrive at work. I like to avoid traffic jams and whiz past the practice director who travels from Blackpool so cannot reasonably be expected to cycle herself! It is a good feeling to know that you are not polluting the environment

Do you cycle for leisure too?

I sometimes cycle up to the jubilee tower and round through Abbeystead but would like to do more with the family if the roads were not so dangerous. As it is we occasionally drive to the cycle paths in order to find safe cycling.

What's the best thing about cycling?
Lots of things. I enjoy the fresh air and exercise and knowing that it is good for the environment

What's the wost thing about cycling?
Danger from cars. We urgently need more cycle paths completely separated from the traffic.

WorkCycle No.16

Danny Smith, Cycle Mechanic & Trainer, Pedal Power

How old are you?

23

Where do you live?

Lancaster

How often do you cycle to work?

5 days per week.

Why do you cycle to work?

I love cycling and it's the
quickest way to get about.

What sort of bike do you ride?

Mountain bike, BMX, raccer,
trial bike and urban bike.

Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?

For commuting - no special gar. When trial riding - helmet and gloves.

Do you cycle for leisure too?

Yes - my favourite route is a single track in Rochdale. Locally I like a track behind lancaster Farms.

What's the best thing about cycling?

Beautiful views.

What's the wost thing about cycling?

Lack of showers at work.

Read profiles 1-15 here

We asked other local people to give us their thoughts on why they cycle to work - from saving time to saving money - Read them here

How old are you?	55
Where do you live?	Freehold
How often do you cycle to work?	Once or twice a week, the rest of the time I run
What sort of bike do you ride?	I have several bikes for different kinds of cycling, but around town I ride a Claude Butler hybrid with low gears and panniers
Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?	I always wear a helmet. I wear wind or rain protection gear if it’s cold or wet, and my outer gear has high viz stripes on it
Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?	No, but I am working together with the management of White Cross to plan better cycle storage facilities for the industrial estate, hopefully to include showers and changing facilities. If anyone reads this who works at White Cross would like to get involved, please could they get in touch
Why do you cycle to work?	Because we decided to get rid of the car to reduce our carbon footprint. I also cycle because it’s healthy and gives me an energy boost.
Do you cycle for leisure too?	Yes, we do a lot of cycling around the district—one favourite is out to Morecambe then north along the Prom to Hest Bank, then back along the canal. This summer we’re cycling from the Alps to the Atlantic across France.
What's the best thing about cycling?	Waving at the motorists stuck on the Skerton Bridge! Also keeping fit and feeling full of energy
What's the wost thing about cycling?	Inconsiderate drivers who pass by too close and too fast. Also trying to get the message across to planners about the need for uninterrupted cycle lanes, for example, on the A6 between the University and Carnforth. That would make a huge difference to Lancaster.

How old are you?	30
Where do you live?	Carnforth
How often do you cycle to work?	Approx twice a week
What sort of bike do you ride?	Gary Fisher mountain bike
Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?	Helmet, waterproofs and clippy shoes
Does your workplace have any special facilities for cyclists?	A locked bike shed
Why do you cycle to work?	Fitness and Fun
Do you cycle for leisure too?	Yes - lots of faves really enjoying Grizedale's new trails
What's the best thing about cycling?	Feeling of freedom.
What's the wost thing about cycling?	Cars clipping you or driving scarily close and fast.

How old are you?	41
Where do you live?	Morecambe
How often do you cycle to work?	Every shift
What sort of bike do you ride?	Hybrid
Why do you cycle to work?	To keep fit, save money, avoid (sitting in) traffic jams, own speed.
Do you cycle for leisure too?	Yes. Enjoy cycling along the Canal /cycle tracks for a bar meal/drink.
What's the best thing about cycling?	Feeling of freedom. Keeps me fit.
What's the wost thing about cycling?	Strong headwinds. Traffic danger.

How old are you?	44
Where do you live?	Scotforth, Lancaster
How often do you cycle to work?	Every day when I'm not on call.
What sort of bike do you ride?	An Avanti, bought in New Zealand when I lived there. It is a hybrid road/mountain bike
Do you wear a helmet or cycle clothing?	Yes I wear a helmet and a bright fluorescent yellow cagoule
Why do you cycle to work?	Because I enjoy it. I like to get the fresh air and exercise and feel invigorated when I arrive at work. I like to avoid traffic jams and whiz past the practice director who travels from Blackpool so cannot reasonably be expected to cycle herself! It is a good feeling to know that you are not polluting the environment
Do you cycle for leisure too?	I sometimes cycle up to the jubilee tower and round through Abbeystead but would like to do more with the family if the roads were not so dangerous. As it is we occasionally drive to the cycle paths in order to find safe cycling.
What's the best thing about cycling?	Lots of things. I enjoy the fresh air and exercise and knowing that it is good for the environment
What's the wost thing about cycling?	Danger from cars. We urgently need more cycle paths completely separated from the traffic.