Dr Alison Hill, chairwoman of Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox, has come up with a list of new year suggestions for cyclists to consider for 2022.
AS we say goodbye to 2021 – a challenging year for so many – and welcome in 2022 we asked Cyclox members what their cycling resolutions are for 2022.
We got some wonderful responses.
1: More family cycling
I want to do a family cycle ride at least once a month.
I’m hoping to get my 2½ year old cycling the mile to nursery without stabilisers before Easter (she can cycle a few hundred metres at the moment).
To have many more adventures as a family.
Help to teach my granddaughter to ride a bike. To start her off I got a fabulous balance bike for her courtesy of Freegle.
2: Cycling more often and more safely
I want to ‘pimp’ our box bike with wired in dancing rainbow LEDs and a proper headlight before the winter ends (defying a driver not to notice that).
I promise not to go through a red light - even when the pedestrian who pressed the button is long gone.
Read again: Oxford's Zero Emission Zone
I will no longer be intimidated by drivers over the Thames Bridge at Osney and will start again to use my share of the road.
Get out and about on some group leisure bike rides again. I have lost my level of pre-pandemic fitness, muscle tone and stamina and will need to build up again gradually. There’s nothing like a day of bike riding for lifting the spirits, even on a day when the weather is grey and dismal.
Treat myself annually to bike services by the local bike shop. A great time-saver for me (more time for cycling) and a way to support a local business which offers a skilled service.
My aim is to work on my flexibility so I can mount my bike from either side.
3: Cycling for everyday journeys
We won’t drive to any shop in Oxford which we can reasonably cycle to.
Use my bike for weekly shops with the aid of better panniers. Cycle to work whenever possible.
Read more: Buildings in Oxfordshire which are at risk
After having spent six months abroad where I cycled to work every day I am thinking about artificially creating a cycle commute. I live much closer to work here in Oxford, plus I work from home due to Covid, but the daily cycle was great for my (mental) health and I miss it.
Cycle to/from work rather than take public transport every day I’m in the office, no matter the weather.
4: More people cycling
Helping Cyclox to get more people to enjoy cycling in Oxford.
Being a bike buddy!
My resolution (also for JoyRiders) is to advocate for more community-based cycle training for beginners.
I helped with some sessions for adult beginners in Rose Hill late last year and it was amazing to see how determined the riders were to learn.
It makes you realise riding a bike is something you take for granted, but many people don’t learn as a child - it’s something they’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity.
Read again: Fish and chip shop in Oxford gets a new name
Getting more people to experience the benefits and pleasure of riding an e-bike.
Restart Windmill bike bus.
5: Epic cycle journeys
I have not been cycling very much since the first lockdown, and consequently I have put on weight, so I have set myself the challenge to cycle some of Ireland’s West Coast Wild Atlantic Way.
I want to cycle the Cornish West Kernow Way.
We’re going to cycle Land’s End to John O’Groats.
6: Cargo bike delivery company Pedal and Post added their resolution
Our challenge is to double our fleet into 2022! We aim to replace 50% of vans in Oxford! See how much CO2 we can save and clean up our air! See how many we can inspire to use cargo bikes! And so so much more.
Happy New Year and happy cycling to all our readers!
For more on Cyclox visit cyclox.org.
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