New town, new friends, new freedom for Gail and Katherine

Every week, through our Connecting Communities programme, East Lothian Development Officer Angie runs gentle rides from the Blindwells estate so people can discover quieter routes, avoid busy roads and get a feel for what’s nearby without needing a car.

Two regulars are Gail and Katherine, who both moved to the area recently and were looking for confidence, company and better ways to get around.

Getting started in a brand-new place

When Katherine saw the rides advertised, she hadn’t ridden a bike since her early 20s. Without a car, everyday journeys from Blindwells felt long and tiring.

To get to the doctor or somewhere like that is a 40-minute walk. On the bike I can do it in 10 minutes

 

She wanted to build her confidence on a bike again and meet people locally. Joining the led rides has done both. Riding with a supportive group has helped her understand where she can cycle, how shared-use paths work and which roads feel most comfortable.

Gail’s motivation was similar. Having just moved in, she wanted to get to know the local area and feel safer riding on the road.

I’m more confident cycling on the road and exploring the area. I previously wouldn’t have cycled on my own and now I can and often do

 

Discovering everyday routes

At the moment, Blindwells has only a couple of ways in and out, including a junction onto a main road. Through the weekly rides, Angie has been able to show participants routes that feel more manageable, such as the quieter road to Longniddry and a loop around the edge of the golf course.

Those explorations are now part of everyday life:

• Katherine uses her bike for trips to the shops and appointments instead of relying on long walks or limited buses.
• Gail cycles independently to the GP and local shops and says she now understands the “cycling code” and feels much more at ease sharing the road with traffic.

Both describe a new sense of freedom:

It gives me freedom – much more scope to get out and about

 

Katherine

It makes me feel quite liberated and I enjoy freewheeling down the country roads. I love being outside and feeling like I’ve done something worthwhile to keep fit

 

Gail

Friends, fitness and confidence

The social side has been just as important as the practical benefits. Turning up week after week, Gail and Katherine have built friendships with each other and with other riders.

It’s been a sociable event and I have met some nice people. It’s got me out and about and has helped with my fitness

 

Gail

Katherine agrees, and has started dipping a toe into volunteering. She helped at an electric-bike and cargo-bike trial day at the National Museum of Flight, chatting to people and getting them set up on bikes – something she’d like to do more of as her confidence grows.

Looking ahead for Blindwells

As the development expands, more paths and links are planned, including around the new lochan (small lake) and towards the quiet road to Longniddry. Gail and Katherine are hopeful that future connections will make it easier for more neighbours to choose cycling for short journeys.

In the meantime, the Connecting Communities rides are giving residents a head start: practical route knowledge, skills for riding on the road and a friendly group to ride with.

For Gail and Katherine, what began as a way to get their bearings has turned into something bigger – regular exercise, new friendships and the confidence to use their bikes for everyday trips in and out of their new town.

Connecting Communities receives funding from a Scottish Government People and Place grant, administered and supported in the South-East of Scotland by SEStran.