In our weekly series, we talk to cyclists of all kinds, find out the changes they've made to become better bike riders, and ask if it's worked for you.
What does cycling mean to you? A type of exercise? Can you develop your competitive spirit and sports spirit? Or is it just a way to get from A to B? For journalist and author Tom Babin, an emphasis on athleticism has given way to simply getting around, and he's been cycling more.
“I started thinking about cycling not just as a sport, but as a means of transportation. This small shift in perspective had a huge impact on my life,” says Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness. declares the Canadian author of “Winter Cycling''.
This is an area where former Olympic and World Champion and National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman MBE has a lot to say. “Reframing” [what we consider cycling to be about] “It's really important that people understand the beauty of cycling,” Boardman said.
One of the several barriers that prevents cyclists from commuting regularly may be a tendency towards tribalism. “I've been criticized by the cycling community for riding in street clothes, not to mention the highly controversial issue of not wearing a helmet. It's a constant battle not to conform,” Boardman said. spoke loudly to us about their decision. I ride for years without wearing a helmet.
Babin emphasized that clothing is also an area that will have a big impact on his outlook. “I still pack my kit for weekend rides and love the challenge and thrill of cycling as a sport, but I'm also using my bike for transport more and more rapidly,” he admits.
As a cyclist who struggles to find the motivation to ride for anything other than “training” purposes, I'd love to know more.
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Chris Boardman competes in the individual pursuit final at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
(Image source: Getty Images)
“Sport cycling often begins as an extension of utilitarian cycling,” says Boardman. Citing the example of children who ride horses to school, he points out that they don't even realize they are participating in a sport, saying, “You can't go to school with soccer, so you ride a bike.'' “I ride it to school,” he jokes.
“We all need to maintain the great combination of practicality and sport that is the bicycle,” believes Boardman, adding, “We are thinking a lot about what we can do with the bike.” Ta.
Taking this approach encourages the removal of the “them” and “us” stigma that can creep into the psyche of cyclists, and perhaps for those interested in the sport, it helps remove barriers to everyday riding. may be helpful.
go by bicycle
(Image source: Getty Images)
Two big practical obstacles to me cycling more are bike safety and bad weather.
It's not absolutely certain that you won't have a lock, but buying the best bike lock and knowing how to lock your bike safely can go a long way in making sure your bike is still there when you get back. Helpful. Adding his one of the best GPS trackers also helps put my mind at ease.
The weather was bad so the heated gloves really helped me out in the cold. With better waterproofing and a one-jacket-rules-all approach, you can bike to the store knowing you won't have to go through the hassle of planning your outfit and arrive soaking wet. You might want to.
Boardman believes it's all about choosing the right language for how to tell this story.
“We need to improve the way we use and market bikes as a way to fill unmet needs, rather than forcing people to ride.
“Cycling is cross-cutting and means different things to different people. Some people cycle for their health, others need it for their mental health, and others cycle for mobility and freedom. Some people need it.
“When people know that cycling can meet their needs, they are more likely to start cycling.”
Turning to Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, which is known for its high rate of cycling, he says: “There are a lot of bicycles in the city, but no one rides them. They just use their bicycles as a matter of course.”
A similar situation can be seen in Scandinavian countries. There, riding a bike is a social norm, and it seems easy to ride your bike to work, school, run errands, or even go out for a night out.
Cultural awareness is a very difficult issue when it comes to encouraging more cycling. Particularly in the UK, cycling receives mostly negative coverage in the mainstream press, which has deepened the rift not only between car drivers and riders, but also within the wider cycling community itself.
Boardman reiterates here the importance of words and why getting them right is so important to bridging the gap between sport and utility cyclists. “We don't want to force people to join our gangs,” he said when discussing unwritten rules such as cycling uniforms, speed, type of bike, and fear of not fitting in. To tell. “We want to feel like we can join other people's gangs.”
our view
I feel that Babin's suggestion to stop thinking of cycling only as a sport could lead to a really big change.
When I look at my own mindset, I realize that not only am I not fast or strong enough to join a cycling club, but I also don't yet have the right commuter bike or gear to make cycling a regular part of my life. I often feel like I don't have one.
“Rather than telling, [yourself] “You need to ride more,” suggests Boardman, adding, “Start with what you want, feeling safe, and having freedom, independence, and choice,” adding, “If you suffer from 'FOMO.' he added. [fear of missing out] If I don't ride more, something will happen. ”
For me, that means letting go of the feeling of not “fitting in” or that I “need to ride more” and simply thinking about how my needs can be met on a bike, and if that’s the case. Seems like a more sustainable state of mind. .
