Felicity

I live in a little village outside Abingdon and I work in Thatcham. I cycle to a bus stop near the A34. That’s about a five mile bike ride, then I get off the bus at the other end and cycle another three miles to my work place. It’s a 27 mile journey and I cycle about eight of it.

I used to rent a Brompton folding bike but now I have a fold up electric bike that I bought from Decathlon through the Cycle to Work scheme. When I started researching it, I discovered that you are allowed to take electric bikes on the bus. Initially, the drivers weren’t sure, so I now have a copy of the bus company’s policy in my bag all the time. I also emailed the bus company, asking them to communicate that fold up bikes are allowed on buses, to all their staff.

I have some straps that I put round the bike, so it can’t fly open if the bus had to quickly round a corner and I take the battery off and pop it in my rucksack. It would be really good if there was a bike compartment on buses, like they have in Scotland, but instead I sit with it in the buggy area (if there aren’t any buggies or wheelchairs on already). Because I travel at commuter times, there’s hardly ever anyone on there with a buggy, and I get on a stop after the Harwell campus, so it’s quieter on the bus. I like to think I’ve built up a positive relationship with most of the drivers. 

I’m getting fitter and I save money on going to the gym. I used to drive to the gym on the way to work but once I’d driven there, parked and got changed, I was only spending 10 minutes actually exercising, before I had to get ready and leave for work again. Now, instead of spending 45 minutes in a car, I have built exercise into my commute. I also find it very pointless now to spend money on going to a gym, just to sit on a bike that doesn’t go anywhere. I’ve even signed up to the Conquerer Challenges for long distance routes, and I’ve got three medals from those.

I’m also starting to save money because my car had started to become a bit of a financial liability. If I really need a car, we can rent one. But now, as a family, we have a van that we use for holidays, which we wouldn’t have been able to afford if we were running two cars. And bus fares are so cheap. It’s £2 into Newbury!

I really enjoy the journey because I talk to people and when I’m out on my bike, and the bus drivers all wave at me now. Socially, you just feel a bit more connected to people. When people ask if it’s a faff, I just say; it doesn’t take any longer than parking.

What I’ve found with the foldable e-bike is you can take it on the train, on the bus and in the boot of a car, so you have lots more options for travel. For me, this is the way forward.