Not confident cycling on the road? Team up with a buddy

Cyclists are being encouraged to get on their bike more often with a new initiative looking to raise confidence on the road, writes Charlie Parry.

The Southwark Bike Buddies scheme organised by Southwark Cyclists and the London Cycling
Campaign will pair up novice cyclists in the area with experienced ones who can show them how to ride safely.

Less experienced riders will be shown how to plan routes and take care of themselves in traffic and at junctions.

The free scheme was introduced to capitalise on the 200 pert cent increase in leisure cycling during lockdown to translate this into increased cycling to work, school and to the shops.

A similar scheme in Wandsworth has helped 30 cyclists become more confident, and organisers hope that the same model can be applied in Southwark.

Dr Bruce Lynn, the co-ordinator of Southwark Cyclists Healthy Rides said: “New cyclists can become very competent riding off road, but do not have the confidence to ride in traffic.

“An experienced rider can ride with a less experienced one and help them adjust to traffic
conditions and gain the confidence to ride independently on London’s streets.”

It’s also hoped that the scheme will ease the strain on public transport and assist with socially distanced commuting while the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

The long-term goal is to move the UK towards Dutch levels of cycling, where almost a quarter of the population cycles every day.

Dr Lynn believes this will bring simple but effective benefits to the future, encouraging “cleaner air, reduced carbon emissions, and better health”.

Similar schemes are run by other branches of the London Cycling Campaign in Lambeth and Wandsworth, visit https://www.lcc.org.uk/