Personality of the Month - Tricia Allen, Cycling England
What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
I’m the Programme Manager for the Cycling England ‘Cycling Towns and City Programme’.
How long have you done that?
Since mid-September 2008
Where do you live?
In Bristol.
What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
The number of other cyclists – I love cycling into town during the morning commuter hours, there seem to be so many people on bikes, all congregating at lights in the advance stop boxes, and rolling past the cars on our cycle lanes.
What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
The hills! I’ve spent a year cycling up Park Street five times a week, and it doesn’t seem to get any easier…
How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
I’d say I’m a fair-weather utility cyclist, but some of my best holidays have been on two wheels too.
What is you earliest cycling memory?
I can remember learning to balance on my first two wheeler, with dad’s hand on my back, helping me until I stopped wobbling all the time – I was probably about 6 or 7. And my first shiny gold bike as a Christmas present was particularly exciting, hidden behind the curtains by the Christmas tree – we went out for a great family ride on Christmas day.
Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
The West Coast of South Island in New Zealand – I spent my birthday cycling from Hector to Punakaiki, over 90kms of hills, surrounded by rainforest, dramatic cliff-faces, and crashing west coast seas, all drenched in brilliant sunlight. A truly spectacular day.
What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
Well I don’t know yet whether it will have encouraged more people to cycle, but I coordinated the development of long-term plans for a Regional Cycle Network for Auckland, in New Zealand, which is now being built. It’s not due for completion for some years yet, but I hope to return some day to see the results!
What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
Building programmes which work with the willing - initiatives that enable people to really get answers to their questions about getting started with cycling, from someone they trust, who helps them to give it a go. I find I come across a lot of people who’d like to start cycling, but they simply don’t know how to get started, or they have lots of questions about what they need, what the best routes are, how they can carry their stuff, and other small details which are all the main barriers for these ‘maybe cyclists’. And personally, I’d never try and encourage someone to cycle who doesn’t at least have that desire to give it a go in the first place – they’re in the too hard basket for now!
What has been your favourite cycling experience?
Well every time I manage to get from A to B quicker than I would by any other means, lock my bike up right outside my destination, or get home feeling like I’ve had some good exercise for the day, it’s a favourite cycling experience! But beyond these everyday joys, my 2 month trip around South Island in New Zealand really does stand out in my memory.
What was your worst cycling experience?
Apart from coming off my bike in 2004, which I prefer not to remember, it was probably getting stuck on the Outer Hebrides faced with such a strong wind, I couldn’t cycle at anything more than 5 degrees away from the direction of the prevailing wind… I clung on to a gate while gripping my bike and stuck my thumb out. Thankfully, a campervan picked me up and got me across the causeways – I’m sure I’d have been swept out to sea otherwise!
What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
The freedom, and the chance to avoid joining a gym.
The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.
