Personality of the Month - Oli Lougheed, British Cycling
What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
I’m the Cycle Training Manager for British Cycling, working on the new Bikeability and Instructor Course projects.
How long have you done that?
One year.
Where do you live?
Right in the centre of Manchester.
What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
The Council just built a contra flow lane at the end of my street which is positive, and should help raise the profile of cyclists in the city centre.
What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
I get frustrated with campaign groups who only see the negative side of cycling- there must be hundreds of would be cyclists being put off by all the bad news, when there’s also so much good to talk about.
How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
Commuter, bike tinkering obsessive, fun rider with friends, café poser and occasional racer.
What is you earliest cycling memory?
Failing my cycling proficiency after I crashed racing my mates on the way home from the first day of the course, and wasn’t able to do the second day.
Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
Berlin City Centre was great- everybody gives way to cyclists, you can cycle through all the big squares, a real mix of people from young folk in suits on old town bikes to old guys in lycra, and plenty of cafes to stop at.
What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
When my girlfriend and her best mate were at university I got them both riding their old bikes to lectures and around town, carrying all their text books, not wearing any fancy gear, and still having fun!
What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
Make cycling compulsory in schools alongside swimming, and then get the parents involved as well.
What has been your favourite cycling experience?
Being in the crowds for the Tour de France start in London, and seeing a group of my mates who’d never been to a bike race or taken any interest scream at the British riders and cheer the winner like we were at football match!
What was your worst cycling experience?
None that stand out - I prefer to remember the positives.
What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
Being able to stop off whenever I want and pop in a shop, stop and talk to someone or grab a sandwich without having to worry about finding a parking space.
The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.
