Community Influencer Dan: Cycling with Confidence

Lambeth’s Big Shift and Peddle My Wheels’ award-winning scheme Community Influencers has come to an end.

We gave 30 beginner cyclists a bike and followed their journeys throughout the year. We met with Dan at the end of their journey to talk about their experience.

Dan signed up for the Community Influencer scheme because he lacked confidence when cycling in London. Like many others, Dan learnt to cycle when he was younger, but as an adult, although he could ride a bike, he often didn’t find the chance, and he hasn’t owned his own bike since he was a teenager.

This was a common sentiment among the influencers. While some of our influencers were learning to ride, for many people, the barrier to cycling regularly was cycling in London on busy roads.

Dan’s biggest challenge was acting like a car on the road. While he knew the rules of the road as a driver, applying that knowledge as a cyclist was a learning curve for him. For many beginner cyclists lacking confidence on the road, claiming space can be difficult. Dan said that as he learnt his rights on the road as a cyclist, it became easier to claim space, and his confidence grew. He also mentioned that some days he feels more confident than others; traffic, weather conditions, and how he feels each day can all impact his journey.

Cars can often be intimidating on the road, and for beginners especially, it can feel like you don’t belong there. However, it’s important to remember that cyclists have every right to the space, the same as cars.

After participating in the Community Influencer scheme for a year and building his confidence, Dan has discovered that longer bike rides have become much easier. His fitness has improved, and he can replace many journeys he would have taken by car or public transport with cycling. By swapping journeys for bike rides, Dan also realised he was saving money.

We asked Dan what advice he would give to beginner cyclists to help them start their journey. He recommended getting a phone holder for your handlebars and earbuds to help you navigate. He said listening to the directions was helpful when he had to concentrate while navigating a junction. But please be careful if you choose to listen to music while cycling, especially on the roads. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

He also said that learning the rules of the road is essential. Having confidence in your actions on the road helps you claim your space, which can lead to a safer journey. Cycling also makes travelling much simpler, but Dan advises always checking for cycle parking at your destination first.

If you are like how Dan was when he started, you may think cycle lessons aren’t for you if you already know how to cycle. However, like Dan, you may benefit from support when it comes to cycling around London.

Free cycle lessons are available to anyone living, working, or studying in Lambeth. Cycle Confident can guide you through your commute or any journey you choose and help boost your confidence on the road.

Check out all the support available:

• Anyone living, working or studying in Lambeth can access free cycle lessons through Cycle Confident, just make sure to mention you want it for cargo bike (opens in a new window). 
• If you don’t have a bike yet, you can use Try Before You Bike to trial a bike before committing to buy it. (opens in a new window)
• Or borrow one from one of the OurBike locations around the borough (opens in a new window). 
• For a cheap second-hand bike, you can visit a Bike Market held throughout the borough (opens in a new window). 
• Finally, for bike maintenance support, you can visit a Dr Bike session where a mechanic can help you with your bike (opens in a new window).