A sustainable transport charity has said it’s hoping Cycle to Work Day on August 1 will encourage people to start cycling into work.
Sustrans said that around 12% of Belfast residents cycle at least once a week – but overall around NI, just 1% of all journeys are by bike.
Just 7% of women in Belfast cycle in the city, compared to 16% of men.
The charity has introduced behaviour change programmes to encourage more people to take to their bikes.
It supports the Leading the Way programme, which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and provided to major employers such as the Department for Infrastructure, Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Belfast and Western Trusts and Ulster University.
Staff can avail of e-bike trials and loans, bike maintenance sessions, route planning, cycle skills and the popular Men Into Cycling and Women Into Cycling six-week programmes.
Sinead Neill, a civil servant in Belfast who completed the Women Into Cycling programme, said: “I am much more confident now when cycling, even on public roads which I never would have considered before.
“I can now cycle to work, part of which involves the Lagan Towpath, which is a fantastic commute. I’d certainly recommend taking up this brilliant training to others. Cycling makes you feel mentally and physically great.”
Read more
Dianne Whyte, a Sustrans active travel officer, said: “As well as teaching participants the basics of bike maintenance and safety, we take them out on a number of led-rides, both on road and on traffic-free paths to help them become familiar with different routes which builds their confidence and enables them to make cycling to work a realistic possibility.”
While some now cycle to work most days, others prefer to use their new skills for leisure but all agree that without Sustrans’ support, they would not be back in the saddle.
Gerard Wells, senior health and wellbeing officer at the PHA, said: “Making the small change of cycling to work can make a big difference to your overall health and wellbeing.
“Being more physically active can help you lead a healthier life while also boosting your mental health and reducing your risk of developing chronic conditions such as heard disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
“By becoming more active on the commute, you are also playing your part in protecting the environment by reducing your carbon footprint which will benefit us all for generations to come. The Leading the Way programme is the perfect way to get started.”
Sustrans said its next series of workplace cycling programmes will begin in the autumn.