Slowly learning and becoming a campus cycling officer. Week 3; Dr Bike, Cycling Training and sharing student’s inspiring stories
Monday 22nd of October; 5am run in the dark! Dr Bike with the Bike Station and Cycling Training
I went a quick run at 5am this morning before heading to work. All of the stars were still out, and the streets were so peaceful. I have always loved mornings, I know I am a dweeb. I really loved waking up for the sunrise when I lived in Orkney. I always felt like it set me up for the day.
Anyways, I got back to the flat, got ready and headed for the train. I was so happy to find out that the trains were back to normal. No more rail replacement bus- woohoo.
I got to Sighthill for 8.00am. Just in time for Dr Bike. It was cold morning in Edinburgh, I layered up with 2 hats, 2 jumpers, a jacket, gloves and a scarf! I was hoping this wouldn’t put students off coming along to our events. Luckily at around 8.25am people started to drop by.
I spoke to staff and students about cycling and shared my ideas about future events. I was able to hear their opinions about the cycling infrastructure and facilities at Edinburgh college. Also, it was helpful to get some encouraging feedback about cycling events and ideas I have for the coming year.
The Dr Bike workshops are great. Students and staff can get their bike fixed for free and access advice/tips for maintaining their bike in the future.
After helping pack up, I headed to the office to work on some future events. At lunch time we headed down to bike shed for the cycling training. Unfortunately, no students showed. That can be the disappointing part of the job. We can have lots of ideas and run lots of events. But, we can’t ensure that students will turn up. I completely understand too, attending a cycling event may be the last thing on a college students mind.
We just have to work harder to publicise the events and on encouraging students to give cycling a go. I think once you start cycling, you understand why so many people do it.
Tuesday 23rd of October; Dr Bike, meeting to collaborate with the Work Place Travel team and Be Bright Be Seen campaign
Wow, today was windy. It felt like I was back in Orkney. I ran at 5am again and then headed for the 6.50am train. We were at Milton campus today for the Dr Bike session and Cycle training. We had more students show up for the Dr Bike today which was great. It was surprising to see how many people cycled to college in the crazy wind. Bikes that were locked up fell from the wind and the heavy Dr Bike sign fell and blew away many times!
We had no students sign up again for the Cycling training. We decided on a new approach. Alex suggested running one to one sessions. Where students can pick the time and have the option to bring friends. I think this is a way better approach. It enables students to have autonomy and feel less apprehensive about coming along to a group session.
After, I headed into town to meet a member of the Work Place Travel team. It was a really positive meeting. We talked about events we can collaborate on this year to encourage active travel and the programmes currently running throughout Edinburgh. We also planned to run Be bright be seen sessions across all campus’s in November. The sessions aim to promote safe cycling at night in winter. They give out free bike lights, high viz clothing and give advice.
Wednesday 24th of October; Meeting Paul at the Bike station
Today was great. I had a later start today, which meant I could get the train at 7.30 instead of 6.45- it is the small things.
I left my bike in Waverley station and walked to the Bike Station. I want to become more familiar with the walking and cycle routes in Edinburgh. It is such a huge city in comparison to Stirling. I am slowly starting to find my away around, however, I think it may take a while…
The walk was so lovely, through the royal mile and into the meadows. I noticed a lot more cyclists on this side of town.
The Bike Station recycle and sell donated bikes and work with a range of people in the community; teaching cycling safety, bike maintenance and more. They began as informal bike swap in a primary school in Edinburgh and have now expanded into different locations across Scotland.
Paul one of the team members gave me a tour; showing me all the incredible facilities and vast number of bikes. They have dedicated areas for repairs, bike maintenance, training, workshops and bike storage.
The team provide a wide range of services and training including Dr Bike, Bike Ability and Cycle training. My personal favourite was their fix your own bike and build your own bike projects. Where people have the chance to build their bike from scratch, picking everything from the frame to the pedals. I think this process would be very empowering and really encourage people to cycle.
This year the bike station team is working with Paths for All to encourage cycling and contribute to cycling culture in Edinburgh. Amazingly, they want to use some of the funding to work with colleges and universities across Edinburgh.
We spoke about a range of different ideas including running different events together this year. It was really refreshing to meet a likeminded team who want to make the empowering activity of cycling accessible for everyone.
Thursday 25th of October; finishing my staff travel survey, talking to students about cycling- sharing one students’ individual story - with her permission, as I felt it was inspiring.
Today I spent the day at Sighthill campus catching up with emails and administration. This week has been really interesting so far. It has allowed me to see the challenges that come with engaging students and in contrast I’ve met some incredible people working in this field. People who are inspired, who feel passionate about cycling, the environment and want to make a difference in the world.
Also, today, I spent a few hours talking with students about cycling and about their lives. I wanted to share one story with you;
Female student, 28; I met and spoke to at Waverley Station
The student grew up in Sweden and moved to Edinburgh 6 years ago with her 3-year-old daughter. After working for 3 years she decided to apply to university. She wanted to gain a better education for herself and her daughter.
When she first started studying she realised that financially she could not afford to commute every day. After speaking to other students and family, she decided to give cycling a go.
She said she was very apprehensive as she felt "unfit, overweight and did not have the confidence to cycle on roads".
Now 3 years on, cycling has changed her life. Not only has she saved money and made it to university every day, through cycling she said she has lost weight, gained fitness, built confidence and really got to know the city of Edinburgh.
The best part of her full story is now she has taught her daughter how to cycle. She takes her out regularly and they cycle all over Edinburgh together. She said her daughter always asks to take her bike to school and the shops.
Her story highlights some of the incredible benefits of trying new things we are unsure of. Cycling has changed so many people’s lives. It brings people together, builds confidence and saves the planet!
Friday 26th of October; Conformation for the Cycle Training course, meeting the new project officers for Stirling Cycle Hub, Another Canal lunch ride- is this really our job :D
Woohoo, Friday. I am still getting use to working Monday to Friday working week. It is amazing to have every weekend off. Working two jobs, running and university for the last four years meant that I never really had set days off.
Today I woke up early, went a run and then headed to Sighthill. I met with my one of my colleagues who gave me some guidance and support for the coming year.
After, when I returned to the office I found out I will be completing Cycle training next month with Cycling Scotland. This course will allow me to run cycle training events with staff and students. The sessions will be focused on confidence and road safety, supporting people and teaching them skills to feel more confident about cycling on the busy roads of Edinburgh.
At lunch, I had time to cycle through the canal again. It is such a beautiful route, as I was cycling I was thinking wow, I am so grateful to have this job. Not many jobs would allow me to be outside cycling at lunch.
After work, I had the chance to meet two new project officers working with Stirling Cycle hub. They told me all about the work they will be doing this year. It was great to hear their stories and meet more inspired people who want to encourage cycling for all.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to read my wee blog. Your support and feedback so far has been incredible!
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