Fancy ditching the train and travelling to work on two wheels? Follow golden girl Victoria Pendleton’s top cycle safe tips and ditch the travel card for good!
Build your confidence
There are lots of ways to build that confidence; sign up for some cycle safety lessons in your area - lots of councils offer them, but also do more cycling in your free time somewhere away from the roads so you're enjoying your time on the bike, not worrying. You don't want cycling to be stressful - you want it to be fun. Another great way to get used to cycling on roads is to sign up for a closed road event. It's the perfect way to be on the roads but without the anxiety linked with being amongst traffic.
Pick your routes
If you want to commute but you're nervous about the busy roads on your way to work, pick a quiet option. Have a look at websites like www.sustrans.co.uk to plot safe routes, then check them out before you cycle them - go round in your car. It just takes a bit of planning and preparation to get rid of that fear factor.
Set your own pace
Don't feel forced to go at a pace you're uncomfortable with - racing along and getting flustered isn't a safe option. If drivers beep their horns don't take it personally. Just remember, you're not trying to get in anyone's way, you're sticking to the rules of the road and you've just as much right to be there as anyone else. Don't let them put you off.
If in doubt, spin
If you really don't fancy cycling on the roads because you live in a really busy area and the only time you can get out is at rush hour, spinning classes are a great way to get fit. You can make the sessions as hard as you want. I absolutely love spinning, I did a lot when I was at uni and they made a huge difference to my fitness. If you were to do a couple of 45 minute classes a week for 6 weeks, you would be more than fit enough for a 40k bike ride.
Victoria Pendleton is fronting Cycletta, a 40K women-only cycle ride through safe, traffic-free streets. For more info and to sign up go to www.cycletta.com
