Personality of the Month - Stephen Holt, Birmingham International Airport
What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
As part of my job at Birmingham International Airport I try to encourage staff to cycle to work, but I am also a Sustrans Volunteer Ranger, co-ordinate a local community initiative, “Cyclesolihull” to encourage more cycling in the local area, and provide National Standard Cycle Training under the name Purr-fect Pedalling.
How long have you done that?
6 years, 5 years, 2 years and 1 year!
Where do you live?
Solihull in the West Midlands.
What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
There are still many people in Solihull who ride their bikes for leisure, most of the roads in the area are reasonable for cycling, and it is easy to get out into the (flattish) Warwickshire countryside where there are miles of quiet lanes. The challenge is to get people to ride more as a means of getting from A to B.
What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
Many Solihull residents seem to love very large vehicles which are often driven much to fast – this can be intimidating.
How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
I see myself as an ordinary person who happens to cycle…and who would like others to discover the many advantages of doing so - I am not very much into special cycling gear or cycling culture.
What is you earliest cycling memory?
I have memories of tearing around the local roads in the sixties on my small bicycle pretending to be Stingray (!) and crashing into a parked car which was very painful.
Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
Being interested in industrial archaeology, I love cycle routes which take you around old industrial areas, rail lines and canals and fortunately the UK is full of such routes! The National Cycle Network route between Runcorn and Warrington particularly sticks in my mind.
What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
Becoming a cycling instructor. Helping people to ride a bike for the first time is particularly satisfying as many of the people I have trained have wanted to do it for years and are very grateful when they discover the fun of cycling.
What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
A tautology I know, but having more cyclists! - every cyclist on the road is an encouragement to someone else to cycle, so the best thing we can all do is to cycle as much as possible. Lower speeds would also help but more cyclists on the roads would also help reduce traffic speeds.
What has been your favourite cycling experience?
After being stuck without transport in a small resort in Minorca for a week, I “escaped” on a hired bike along the coastal path – the feeling of freedom was wonderful!
What was your worst cycling experience?
No major catastrophes but on a four-day tour crossing the Pennines alone, my chain broke and I had no option but to turn round and freewheel back down to the nearest town. The next day I had to find a bike shop (it was Bank Holiday), fix the bike and do two days mileage to regain my schedule - pretty tough!
What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
Being able to get from A to B reliably and quickly without having to worry about traffic jams and parking, whilst at the same time getting exercise, feeling healthy and that warm glow you get from going places under your own steam!
The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.
