Bike wise

How Holly got started

Cycling started as a casual exploration but has now become a key transport mode to work for Holly Cox. On how she got started: “My boss cycles to work every day. We used to live close to each other and he would try to convince me that cycling would be a good transport option for me. I was talking to a friend about this but I didn’t want to invest in a bicycle as I may not keep up the habit. He offered to lend me his bicycle to see if I would enjoy cycling. I started just after Christmas when the traffic volumes were lower.” She got hooked ever since and is cycling to work everyday, “except for days when there is torrential rain”.

Joys of cycling

Clearly enjoying the benefits of cycling, Holly tells us why we should give it a try: “It’s free, I’m getting fitter and I like the freedom of being able to decide when I leave to go to work or come home and not be restricted to bus timetables.” In fact, she is so convinced of the value of cycling to work; she constantly tries to persuade her friends to give it a try. She has now also started cycling more at the weekend, “mainly to run errands close to home….and cycling to the Auckland Museum and through the Domain”.

Start small

On getting started, Holly suggests new cyclists first talk to other cyclists for useful hints and tips. “Build your confidence by starting small distances.” After confidence is built, you  should try getting onto the roads. But for some, navigating through heavy traffic on some busy roads may be daunting. Holly addressed this by breaking down the experience to smaller steps. “I started cycling when the traffic wasn’t so busy, like Christmas holiday time. I would suggest sticking to cycling lanes, avoid large intersections and observe the behaviour of other cyclists as well. Once I built up confidence, it was fine during times of high traffic volume.” 

Push for support at work

Another aspect that helped make a difference for Holly in cycling to work was the cycle facilities offered at her workplace. “We have several bike racks and showers for cyclists and two pools of bicycles to use to get to meetings within town.” All this has helped. For those who want to cycle to work but have no support at work, Holly suggests for cyclists to “get together with other cyclists to lobby your work to make the changes needed”. 

Next challenge

One of the many benefits that Holly enjoys from cycling is getting to meet new people and enjoying new social networks that come with cycling, for example, through active cycling groups like Frocks on Bike. Holly’s next challenge is to restore a vintage bicycle with the help of her friends. 

- Contributed by Holly Cox