Josie joins the pedal revolution

A Thurrock mum can now enjoy cycling with her daughter following a successful lesson from Thurrock Council’s cycling instructor.

When Josie Reeves attended the South Essex Active Travel (SEAT) Thurrock Roadshow, held recently in Grays Town Centre, she explained that she couldn’t ride a bike – but wanted to learn in order to ride with her daughter.

Kaye Borley-Potterton, Thurrock Council’s cycle instructor, arranged for a lesson to be held in Grays Park on 21 April – and after just one hour Josie was riding a bike unaided.

After the lesson, Josie said:

“Thank you so much for your patience – I really enjoyed myself once I had the confidence to take both feet off the floor. My family were very impressed – now to buy a bike!”

Working in partnership with Essex County Council, SERP provides one-to-one cycle confidence courses for people wanting to learn how to ride a bike – or returning to the saddle after a period of absence.

The sessions, which are available across the county, are tailored to an individual’s experience and can be arranged at a time and location convenient to the participant.

In February, SERP challenged the people of Essex to ‘get cycle ready for the summer’ by improving their skills on two wheels.

SERP also offers a range of Bikeability courses suitable for a variety of ages, including:

• ‘Bikeability Transition’ provides children moving from primary to secondary school with route planning skills to help them cycle safely to their new school.
• ‘Bikeability Ride’ provides a range of led rides on pre-determined, low traffic/traffic free routes, designed to boost confidence for people who are new to, or returning to, cycling.
• ‘Bikeability Learn to Ride’ teaches children and adults to cycle.
• ‘Bikeability Fix’ sessions show how to perform basic bike maintenance.

To find out more or book a place on any of the cycling courses available in Essex, visit the SERP cycling page.

30 April 2018