Personality of the Month - Liz Clarke, BikeRight!
What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
I am the Managing Director of BikeRight! – a cycle training company based in Manchester
How long have you done that?
I started BikeRight! in 2000 and gave up my day job in 2004!
Where do you live?
Chorlton, Manchester
What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
Manchester is a great place to cycle because it is a flat city (mostly). I cycle 7 miles to work along the Manchester Cycleway (Fallowfield Loop). There are also fantastic cycle routes in the surrounding countryside of Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
The problems cyclists face in Manchester are poor attitudes and lack of awareness by drivers to cyclists, although I am quite happy to cycle in busy traffic.
How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
I am an all-round cyclist – I started with ‘everyday’ cycling and commuting to work, including taking my children on child seats. Love competitive sport. I would like to spend more time on my road bike – I have competed in time trials, triathlons, and cycle sportifs. I am a regular spectator at the Manchester Velodrome.
What is you earliest cycling memory?
On my trike when I was 2.
Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
Definitely the Outer Hebrides on my hybrid – with Majorca on my road bike as a close second.
What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
When we started BikeRight! there were only about 200 children per year being trained in the city of Manchester – now we do 2,600. For the whole of Greater Manchester, we train over 11,000 children each year. Personally winning the North West Women in Business Awards this year.
What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
More availability of cycle training.
What has been your favourite cycling experience?
Crossing the finishing line after doing my first Manchester 100 – in 6 hours and 1 minute!
What was your worst cycling experience?
Slipping and falling off on ice at the top of my road.
What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
Freedom.
The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.
