Cycling takes the stress out of commuting

Partner: Sustrans

Scheme: Bike It

Location: Doncaster

Jim Cole is the project officer for Bike It in Doncaster. He helps twelve schools in the area to promote cycling as a viable mode of transport to and from schools.

The aim is to create a pro-cycling culture in the school that continues long after he has left. Most of the beneficiaries in his programmes are pupils, but school staff also benefit.

Margaret Eyre, a teacher at Bentley New Village Primary School regularly travelled to work by car. For Margaret, the journey to work was very stressful, saying “Bentley High Street can be a nightmare.”  She often spent long periods of time feeling anxious in traffic jams, and would often be late for work.

Margaret had considered cycling to work but lacked the confidence to start and had no-one to cycle in to school with. Once the Bike It project started at her school, Jim ran awareness raising events about cycling within assemblies and classroom sessions. This gave Margaret the initial idea and encouragement to cycle. Jim gave her bike a check over to make sure it was roadworthy and safe to use. Armed with a working bike and some advice and encouragement from Jim, Margaret started cycling to work.

Now Margaret is cycling into school at least three times per week irrespective of the weather and has teamed up with another member of staff who also started cycling after Bike It came to the school.

Since Margaret started cycling the stress she had experienced by driving to work has gone.  She feels fitter, happier, and now arrives at school in plenty of time without rushing. By feeling much calmer she is energised and ready for the day.

“My muscles have all come back!” says Margaret. “My bike sat in the garage for years gathering dust. Now it’s covered in mud as I use it all the time!”

The pupils at her school were very impressed with Margaret’s achievements. At the grand opening of Bentley New Village's cycle shelter, Margaret got a mention and a huge round of applause.