With Freewheel fast approaching we've held two cycle lessons and have our first road based lesson tonight. I'm so impressed with both the young people and the volunteers. Peter and Brigit have lead really good sessions and taught the group a lot about responsible and safe cycling. After a little over excitement on being on the bikes the young people have taken the lessons seriously and have definitely improved their control skills, although I'm sure the excitement of actually being on the road might be a little too much for some of the group.
The young people are really engaged in cycling and are taking the time to think about the importance of doing things properly. At the maintenance class, after our first bike lesson, one of the group was adjusting Carina's seat and took the time to show her the correct positioning on the bike that he had learnt that day - it really made me proud! The group are really working well together and supporting each other with both the bikes and the cycling. They are also really helping me with my bike - they've adjusted my seat and even replaced it with a special ladies seat (for those with bigger bottoms) and sorted out my back wheel.
Onto my own cycling progress, although I'm still slow I'm being far more adventurous and cycled all the way from Brixton to Highbury and Islington last night - a bit sweaty and red faced but very proud. As I cycled back through the city, getting horribly lost on the way, I really realised how empowering cycling was and what a sense of freedom it has given me. It was amazing to cycle past St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England and see how accessible London actually is. I really hope that having bikes will give our young people the same sense of freedom and empowerment and open up London in a way that just wasn't possible before.
Vanessa
Comments