Twelve days of Christmas
The first day of Christmas: celebration
We successfully challenged Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s decision keep the narrow passageway under Keyhole Bridge permanently open to motor traffic – a huge win for walking and cycling.
Statutory guidance requires local authorities to “take account of a presumption in favour of retaining any traffic schemes reallocating road space to people walking and cycling”.
If you want to continue to support campaigns to create a cycle-friendly future, then consider setting up a regular gift. A monthly gift can make a huge difference for the future of cycling in the UK.
Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of Cycling UK, said:
“This is a victory for the people of Poole, who will be able to breathe clean air and enjoy their neighbourhood with quieter, more peaceful streets. While the immediate benefits of this case will be felt locally, we know other councils will take note of this outcome and think twice before restricting people's opportunities to cycle.”
Second day: appreciation
Less than 18 months ago, Sukhi didn’t own a bike and hadn’t ridden for five years. She struggled to know where to ride, or even how to ride at times. Sukhi learned to ride all over again with Handsworth & Hamstead Pavilion Community Cycle Club with instructor Sam.
The group also helped Sukhi get a new bike and now she’s out multiple times a week, which has made a huge change to both her daily travel habits as well as her overall wellbeing.
Sukhi said: “Cycling helped me keep cortisol levels in check when I was going through a stressful time. You get a full appreciation for the open safe scenic outdoor areas that Birmingham has to offer with lots of green open spaces in the many parks and along the canal routes also deemed most ideal for cycling. This has made me a lot more cycling proficient and confident on the roads.”
Third day: adventure
Richard Jewell from Northamptonshire says:
“I’ve always enjoyed cycling for leisure, but I find utility cycling – riding with a genuine purpose – particularly satisfying. It saves money, is kinder to the environment, usually takes barely any longer than driving, and turns a mundane task into a mini adventure.”
Fourth day: a voice
“Everyone should have the option to travel safely and sustainably. We don’t want to see barriers and divisions between cyclists and motorists. I would urge everyone to back Cycling UK so that they can give a voice to all cyclists, and there is no better way to do that then by becoming a member.”
Sabs – Cycling UK supporter and member
Fifth day: saver
Fed up spending his morning commute stuck in traffic at rush hour, Sheffield resident and stonemason business owner Steve Roche sign up for a free Making cycling e-asier e-cycle loan.
In just a few weeks, Steve was pleased to discover that he had lost eight pounds and was saving £25 per week on fuel. By driving less and e-cycling more, Steve whizzes past the traffic he used to sit in and cut his 4.5-mile journey by 15 minutes.
The extra assistance provided a boost on Sheffield’s notorious hills and helped him to incorporate exercise into his busy schedule, without it being too strenuous to affect his ability to carry out his physical job. Since returning his free e-bike loan, the stars aligned when we discovered an e-cargo bike looking for a temporary home, which we have now loaned to Steve until he can afford his own.
Your donations make a difference to people’s lives and livelihoods.
Sixth day: game changer
Sian, in her 60s, had never ridden a bike due to health issues. When her neighbours borrowed an e-trike from Rural Connections Orkney, her curiosity was piqued and she gave it a go.
She asked to ride it on their driveway and she just kept going. “I loved it. It was a game changer because I can rarely go walking with people because of my lung capacity. Now they walk and I cycle. It just felt so freeing.”
Seventh day: freedom
Switching car journeys to cycling, Nadine went on a led bike ride in Derby, thanks to our project work.
She said: “Cycling gives me a feeling of freedom; I feel happy cycling on safe paths.”
Just three months later, she had converted some of her short car journeys into cycling ones and now agrees that cycling is for people like her.
Eighth day: imagine
Make 2024 the year to make a difference, to make a country that is better by bike. That could be by swapping a short journey you normally make by car to making it by bike or donating to make our vision a reality and the country better by bike.
Ninth day: fun
Across the country, bike buses are incredibly powerful tools for drawing people together. They create a perfect environment for making positive change.
When you start cycling, it’s clear for everyone in your local area to see the benefits of making cycling safer: quieter streets, less pollution, healthier people and, ultimately, the school run becomes a fun activity.
Cycling UK are experts in creating a better world by bike so turning to us to help organise a bike bus is a must.
Tenth day: winner
“Winning a prize in the raffle last year was such a wonderful surprise, especially as we had been looking for an e-bike for about a year. Beyond the joy of receiving this remarkable prize, it felt good to know our participation contributed to Cycling UK’s invaluable work.
“Fellow members, take part in the raffle today and you too could be the fortunate recipient of something wonderful.”
Julian and Tini
Eleventh day: play
“I would encourage fellow members to buy their tickets and take part in the raffle, not just because you might win something but because you’re supporting cycling, and we all love cycling.”
Michael, previous summer raffle winner
Twelfth day: support
Narinder from Walsall has found her love of cycling thanks to the support of Cycling UK’s community work. As a nurse who sadly experienced the loss of her father, she knows only too well how important it is to have a supportive community around her.
She found that with the community cycling club at Walsall Arboretum, where she learnt how to ride. “It’s been absolutely amazing. The community cycling club is like family, it gives you that connection where you have others to talk to.”