Riding a bicycle is the summit of human endeavour! – an almost neutral environmental effect coupled with the abilitity to travel substantial distances without disturbing anybody. The bike is the perfect marriage of technology and human energy.
I do not own a car and my main form of travel to Westminster and in my constituency is by bicycle. I also take my bike on trains to meetings in other parts of the country, which enables me to see other cities and the other parts of the country. Prison visits in remote places, for example, are excellent by bike and train.
Like most people, I learnt to ride as a child in the idyllic country lanes of Wiltshire, and later went to cycling proficiency classes, a requirement of my school – otherwise you were not allowed to bring a bike onto the premises. I still have the Triumph Palm Beach I was given for Christmas when I was 11. By today’s standards, it is heavy and slow, but was my pride and joy at the time.
Cycling is good for people in all ways: their health, their well-being, and it does no damage to the environment. It can, however, be dangerous, and this has to be addressed. In London, the Mayor is promoting safer cycling for children and because of the enormous increase in cycle routes and priority, London feels almost like a cycling city. Cyclists tend to be nice to each other! Cycle rage is rare, and they even stop for each other when there is a puncture or breakdown.
Milton Keynes has excellent cycling facilities; far-sighted planners obviously knew a cycle boom would come 30 years later. It is time that all cities developed a serious cycling plan, as statistics seem to suggest that the increase in cycling is patchy, and indeed, in some areas, is falling.
I would like to see all bikes sold being equipped with lights, and a helmet offered to purchasers. I would also like to see more people realising that maintaining a bike is not difficult, but is essential. Too many children are riding dangerous bikes with no brakes because nobody has bothered to do the basic repairs.
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