Helen Hirst

Helen smiling on her bike. She wears a blue helmet, green top and dark shorts. There is a lake behind her.
Community champion

Helen Hirst

Ride leader and Bikeability instructor

Age 69, Helen has never driven. From short distances to multi-day journeys, she uses her bike to get everywhere.

Helen delivers Bikeability in schools and leads a group which supports women in deprived areas to cycle. She's also started working with HGV drivers on the cycling element of training. Helen is membership secretary for her club and regularly leads the weekly ride, introducing a shorter option to make it more inclusive.

“I have cycled for fun since my teenage years and never driven... I was nervous of riding with a club, but tried club cycling in my fifties, and was hooked!”