Teaching people to cycle is what I do, well to you tell the truth, now I mostly organise for someone from CTC's network of cycle instructors [3] to do the actual teaching on the ground.
However, I’ve usually met the people who are learning once or seen their photo and they don’t recognise me out of context. So when I see them cycling around Leicester, I smile a bit as I ride comfortably past the person who has become a fellow cyclist.There is always pleasure in seeing the fruits of your labour, but especially so when I know I’m enjoying my city more because of the work that I do.
I have the privilege of hearing an endless set of stories that all start with ‘I always wanted to learn to ride a bike but ....’ They fall into categories of:
- I was never allowed to as a kid
- I fell off and was too scared
- I hate being left behind by my children (mainly from mothers - about 80% of people who come to adult cycle training in Leicester are women.)
- I just wanted to learn a new skill
- I’ve been ill and want some gentle exercise
And they all end with "I can’t believe I’ve learned to ride a bike."
I rarely know what happens next but I’m sure when I see them out riding around Leicester that they went beyond learning to ride and are confidently travelling by bike.
This is such a precious dividend to a role devoted to promoting cycling to people who might not otherwise ride.
If you want to learn to cycle in Leicester please contact CTC's Cycling Development Officer Elizabeth Barner. [4]