Barnet councillors have been learning to get cycle confident and take to two wheels for World Car- Free Day tomorrow, Thursday 22 September.
Councillors are also encouraging motorists to use other forms of sustainable transport for the day, while raising awareness of the various benefits that active travel, such as cycling and walking, have to climate change, health, the air we breathe and the local economy.
Around half of London’s air pollution is caused by road transport. Air pollution can reduce the length and quality of residents’ lives. About 240,000 children in London have asthma and around one-third of cases are linked to air pollution.
Cllr Dr Simon Radford, who sits on Barnet’s Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“Like lots of people, the idea of cycling more and driving less made total sense in theory: burn more calories, get fitter, fewer carbon emissions and beat the traffic! There was only one thing holding me back; having the confidence to make it happen.
“Once I saw the Barnet Council Cycle Confident scheme to get a free lesson – and get back on that saddle – I jumped at the chance. Now I’ve applied to get a bike through my work’s Cycle to Work scheme, after renting a bike for a few months to work out what I needed.
“I am so glad that I took advantage of the opportunity and would definitely recommend it to others.”
The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Alison Moore, said:
“As an older cyclist I was a bit nervous getting back on a bike and have largely stuck to recreational cycle paths. The cycle training will be a great way to regain the confidence I need to get back out there on the road.”
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Cllr Giulia Innocenti, who sits on the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“As a newly elected councillor for Childs Hill it’s important for me to visit the ward regularly every week, sometimes several times a week. As a non-driver, living in East Finchley and relying on buses, this isn’t always easy! I thought about learning to drive and sharing my partner’s car – but a) I don’t really want to add to vehicle pollution and b) he doesn’t want to share his car with me…
So then I thought about cycling! I haven’t ridden a bike in 11 years. And before that I had hardly ridden one at all, so I would consider myself a middle-aged cycling novice. I will be using Barnet’s free cycling tutorials to get back into the swing of it and learn the safest route to my ward. This feels like an enormous undertaking and challenge but if it means I can visit residents quickly, with no expense, and in a carbon-neutral way, then I’m up for the challenge! Watch this space.”
Return to the Community News homepage.
Barnet councillors have been learning to get cycle confident and take to two wheels for World Car- Free Day tomorrow, Thursday 22 September.
Councillors are also encouraging motorists to use other forms of sustainable transport for the day, while raising awareness of the various benefits that active travel, such as cycling and walking, have to climate change, health, the air we breathe and the local economy.
Around half of London’s air pollution is caused by road transport. Air pollution can reduce the length and quality of residents’ lives. About 240,000 children in London have asthma and around one-third of cases are linked to air pollution.
Cllr Dr Simon Radford, who sits on Barnet’s Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“Like lots of people, the idea of cycling more and driving less made total sense in theory: burn more calories, get fitter, fewer carbon emissions and beat the traffic! There was only one thing holding me back; having the confidence to make it happen.
“Once I saw the Barnet Council Cycle Confident scheme to get a free lesson – and get back on that saddle – I jumped at the chance. Now I’ve applied to get a bike through my work’s Cycle to Work scheme, after renting a bike for a few months to work out what I needed.
“I am so glad that I took advantage of the opportunity and would definitely recommend it to others.”
The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Alison Moore, said:
“As an older cyclist I was a bit nervous getting back on a bike and have largely stuck to recreational cycle paths. The cycle training will be a great way to regain the confidence I need to get back out there on the road.”
PICTURE INSERT
Cllr Giulia Innocenti, who sits on the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“As a newly elected councillor for Childs Hill it’s important for me to visit the ward regularly every week, sometimes several times a week. As a non-driver, living in East Finchley and relying on buses, this isn’t always easy! I thought about learning to drive and sharing my partner’s car – but a) I don’t really want to add to vehicle pollution and b) he doesn’t want to share his car with me…
So then I thought about cycling! I haven’t ridden a bike in 11 years. And before that I had hardly ridden one at all, so I would consider myself a middle-aged cycling novice. I will be using Barnet’s free cycling tutorials to get back into the swing of it and learn the safest route to my ward. This feels like an enormous undertaking and challenge but if it means I can visit residents quickly, with no expense, and in a carbon-neutral way, then I’m up for the challenge! Watch this space.”
Return to the Community News homepage.
