Personality of the Month - Rose Ades, Cycling Centre of Excellence, Transport for London
What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
Head of Cycling Centre of Excellence at Transport for London. I have responsibility for the development of cycling in London – in line with ‘Creating a Chain Reaction – London Cycling Action Plan’.
How long have you done that?
Since August 2000.
Where do you live?
Bermondsey, London SE16.
What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
Enjoying the ever changing environment at the same time as travelling to shops and amenities.
What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
Being late.
How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
Thoughtful.
Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
Paris – left Bank riverside ‘promenade’.
What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
Transforming public, political and professional attitudes towards, and the experience of cycling in London, making it something valued, supported and rewarded and growing – over 90% since 2000 – as a consequence of range of interventions and activities.
What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
Widespread deployment of 999 officers and support staff on bikes.
What has been your favourite cycling experience?
Taking part in CSM MA in industrial design – residential cycle parking project.
What was your worst cycling experience?
Being flipped over my handlebars August 2007.
What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
Feeling the air, travelling under my own steam, efficiently.
The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.
