Many people cycle into Brindleyplace from distances both near and far. The estate supports all who cycle by providing maintenance points across the estate as well as a travel hub on Oozells Street where both Brompton and West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes can be hired.
Two of our regulars are Darren McLean, who cycles 13 miles (or 20k) every workday, and in all weathers, to get himself into work and back home again – and has done for the past 18 years. Jenny Illingsworth has been cycling in four miles each way since Covid when quieter roads encouraged more people to try out cycling for perhaps the first time.
A highly valued and experienced member of Brindleyplace’s 50-strong estate team after many years of working at the estate, Darren helps to look after the environment around Brindleyplace and keeps it clean, safe and green, while Jenny works at the Institute of Civil Engineers, based in 3 Brindleyplace, where she looks after the institute’s members both in the Midlands and further afield.
It takes Darren just over half an hour to journey from his home to Brindleyplace, while Jenny takes around 20 minutes to cycle into her office, meaning both of them are receiving invaluable strength and aerobic exercise every day.
Cycling on a mixture of roads through the city’s western suburbs means Darren is out there in the elements all year round. But riding a mountain bike keeps him going whatever the weather and gives him the ideal riding position.
Darren, along with Jenny, are just two examples of many cycle commuters who come into Brindleyplace every day, which is why the estate is taking part in this year’s Cycling September, an initiative to encourage more people to cycle into work.
Whether it’s a road bike, hybrid commuter, mountain bike or e-bike, there’s plenty of choice out there with the cost of a new bike coming in at a wide range of price points.
The national Bike to Work scheme can also help and allows you to save almost 50% of the cost of a new bike with the help of your employer. It costs them nothing to set up, and just requires a form to be filled in and returned to HMRC. For more info, visit: www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/
Passing Woodgate Valley Country Park, one of Birmingham’s largest areas of parkland and once an area of farmland, at the start of his journey, Darren often sees a wide range of wildlife – from foxes and badgers to squirrels and Muntjac deers.
Darren says:
“I cycle to work for both fitness and to save money. It also makes a more reliable journey into work – and is probably faster than using public transport if you include waiting time.
“I’ve also managed to avoid regular punctures since I changed my inner tubes to gel tubes, and I can now safely say it’s very rare I have a puncture. I also always keep a spare inner tube in my rucksack – just in case!”
Meanwhile, Jenny adds:
“I live about four miles from the city centre and, providing it’s not raining in the morning, I always prefer to cycle. My route takes me through parks and along the Bristol Road cycle superhighway which means I can go along safe routes for most of my journey while getting some fresh air and endorphins into my system at the same time.
“Being out in the fresh air and experiencing the change of the seasons, I also have time to get my thoughts ready for work, and ‘decompress’ at the end of the day. I find biking quite easy really: there’s no need to wear anything sporty, so I’ve got no need to carry extra clothes or get changed when I get into the office.
“Having access to secure bike storage at work also means one less thing to worry about. It’s also good to chat with whomever else is locking or unlocking their bike at the beginning or end of the day – there’s a camaraderie amongst those of us who use their own energy to get in and out!”
Brindleyplace is supporting Cycle September as an inclusive cycling challenge open to everyone. The campaign also wants to help non-cyclists unlock the joys of riding a bike and help people reach their personal health and carbon reduction goals.
Find out more at: www.lovetoride.net
