Andrea, a working mum from Ashford, has recently transformed her daily routine after being inspired by the Cycle Ashford campaign. She decided to switch to cycling for both her commute and the school run and quickly found it to be a practical and positive change for her family.
She now cycles to school with her young daughter in a front-mounted child seat before continuing on to work, and repeats the journey in the afternoon. Andrea has found the setup straightforward and reliable, and cycling has allowed her to add exercise into her everyday routine while keeping up with work and family commitments.
Andrea said: “It is actually quicker and far less expensive than using the car. I used to cycle with my older child before I learned to drive and getting back into it just made sense because I wanted to be healthier. I would like to attend a gym, but being in full-time work with two children I struggle to find the time. Cycling gives me the exercise I need as part of my daily routine, and I have already lost weight since I started.”
“My biggest concern was what other people would think and also bike theft, but since I got proper locks and my place of work offered me secure indoor storage, I have felt much more confident.
“Before, my daughter did not want to walk and would often want to be carried, especially when it was cold, but now she really enjoys being on the bike with me. It feels safer having her in front of me to keep an eye on her and it is so much quicker than walking.
“I used to fill up the car every week and now it is only about once a month, to me this is the biggest bonus, saving so much money each month! For others that are considering the switch, I say do it. Brave the fear and just start. You will be so glad you did.”
Andrea’s story shows how quickly cycling can slot into everyday life when you give it a try. If you are thinking about making a similar change, you can explore the Cycle Ashford route planner to map your journey to work and see how easy it could be for you. The planner also allows you to add waypoints, making it simple to plan routes that include school or childcare pick-ups, just like Andrea’s routine: https://www.cycleashford.org.uk/Route+Planner#/