Birmingham Walking and Cycling Index

Cycling was never available to me as a child. My mum didn’t cycle, my aunt didn’t cycle, my nanny didn’t cycle. So naturally I was never taught to cycle.

Fast forward 25 years, and I decided I needed to learn to ride a bike. At the time, I was working at Sandwell Primary Care Trust, they told me about cycling lessons that were available. So I took the plunge and the teacher had me peddling for the very first time! I remember screaming all the way down the path. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that first feeling of just complete freedom. It was amazing.

I kept on with the lessons for a few weeks, but life got in the way. Fast forward another 12 years, and my two-year-old was learning to cycle. This spurred me on to get back on my bike, with the support of my husband, Mark. It took a while to build my confidence again, but after that I’ve just kept going.

Now I want to create a city where my little boy, Esa, can grow up safely. And where his first choice to get around the city is by walking, scooting, or cycling and not by jumping into a car.