Make cycling to work part of the routine

So far I’ve managed to avoid the traditional seasonal media trick of regurgitating last year’s news, but don’t hold your breath – is it that there isn’t too much news out there, or more probably, I think most journalists are simply taking a break.

How is your New Year’s resolution going? If you are still not convinced of the cycling option, here are a few more suggestions to ease you into a cycling lifestyle.

I know that finding the time to actually do some cycling can be difficult, so how about planning a cycle trip that actually fits into your everyday routine? For example, what about cycling into work one day of the week? Maybe on a Friday, or when you have a ‘Dress Down Day’, so that there is a minimum of changing. Or better yet, take a change of clothes in on a normal day and you’ll be ready to cycle on any day that takes your fancy.

If that doesn’t appeal, why not plan a trip at the weekend with the kids or friends. With children, it’s an opportunity for them to get somewhere under their own steam, perhaps to Durrell or to one of Jersey Heritages’ Flash Days?

With a little inspiration and a bit of planning, your next cycle trip could be so exciting that you’ll be counting the minutes to your departure.

Braking News

Tony Lo looks into his crystal ball

The chief executive officer of Giant, one of Taiwan’s largest cycle manufacturers, has been expressing his hopes for 2010. Tony Lo said that Giant expected to see a small decline in profits in 2009, due to the recession biting in several of their key markets. However, he was optimistic for 2010, and he expected that the company would see its revenue grow by 5 to 10 %.

He said:”2009 has been a difficult year due to the economic situation however the world is rediscovering bikes as a good source for leisure as well as commuting, so we see that as increasingly positive”.

In 2010 Giant see lightweight, comfortable road bikes, together with mountain bikes as their principle markets. In addition to this, they are also concentrating on their subsidiary interests such as cycle clothing, cycle tours and cycle maintenance at their 1,700 dedicated dealers.

Dublin’s dream bike rental scheme

While London waits and Paris counts the cost, Dublin freewheels ahead with its modest, but highly successful, bike rental scheme.

Since September 2009, 450 bikes have been available at 40 terminals around the city. So far, the results have been extremely encouraging, over 22,000 people have joined the scheme by paying an annual membership fee of 40 Euros, on average over 2,000 trips are taken daily, and so far only one bike has been stolen. And that came back within 24 hours!

Sprint Bonuses

• The sales of electric bikes in China are beating the sales of cars. It’s expected that almost 20 million electric bikes will be sold there in 2010, against an estimated 12 million new cars.
• Andrew Ritchie, the founder of Brompton Bicycle Limited, was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours.
• £48,000 of UK Government funding has been given to establish a 170 mile cycle route through the Chilterns. The Chiltern Cycle Way is to be launched in the spring.
• A recent report from the Transport Research Laboratory says that riders aged 16 or younger are more at risk of being killed or injured on Britain’s roads.
• A petition on the Number 10 website is urging the Government to review Royal Mail’s plans to do away with postmen’s delivery bikes, in favour of large trolleys.

And finally,

I know that it’s a little late for a ‘Tiny Tim’ type, Christmas heart warmer, but if you think that being a cycling nomad in the company of two amiable rescue dogs is heaven, then log onto http://cyclinggypsies.wordpress.com.

Arthur Lamy is the author of Jersey Cycles.

He has written books, guides and articles for, among others, IPC Media, Ottaker’s Bookshops, Seaflower Books and Jersey Tourism. He is a Blue Badge qualified tourist guide and is also a keen photographer.

More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com