Local Voices
Read the stories of Oxfordshire residents who make bikes, buses, walking or wheeling a part of their everyday lives.
Caroline
“One really nice thing is that I have some travel buddies – people on the same bus - we chat every day! The other major advantage is that I use the time on the bus to catch up on lots of things I never normally have time for such as life admin, sorting emails, etc. For anyone else thinking about this, I would say do it! People say they don’t have time, but time spent on the bus is much better than circling the car park for the millionth time. Not having to park is a huge, huge relief. I’m glad I swapped.”
Cherie
“Since making the change to using a bike, I’ve actually found a new hobby. We’ve taken our bikes to the Cotswolds and to Wales, for cycling holidays. My cardiovascular health is better; I don’t really pant at all any more going up that hill. And my mental health is better. I didn’t realise how big an impact it was going to have on me. I fell in love with the feeling of cycling almost immediately. The sense of freedom is amazing.”
Mark and Laura
Laura lives in Chippenham, and Mark lives in Swindon. They both work at John Radcliffe full time, coming in three days a week. They’ve been lift sharing for two and a half years. They enjoy sharing costs, listening to the radio - and sometimes having a good work rant! Read about how their arrangement works.
Kevin
Kevin lives in Bicester, is a former Siemens engineer, and has had a through-hip amputation meaning one leg is no longer there. He uses a Brompton, a hand pedal bike and a cargo trike to get around in combination with the train, and crutches or prothesis. Now retired, he visits Oxford a couple of times a week at a range of times.
Wendy and Maria
Wendy and Maria both live in Ambrosden, near Bicester and work at the John Radcliffe. They get the H5 bus everyday to work, and have become good friends with each other and their other bus buddies. Read their story here.
Elizabeth
While participating in the Oxford Car Free Challenge Elizabeth travelled by bus and on foot, and enjoyed encouraging fellow students on her nursing course to join her in walking with her to the next bus stop: "They all went with me. And along the way, we’re talking, we’re engaging. So I gained friends.” She felt walking was also good for her physical health: “At times I could become breathless, but when I started walking it was flowing, it was easy. I really enjoyed it.”
Felicity
Felicity bought an electric folding bike through the Cycle to Work scheme. She’s able to take it on the bus so that she can commute to work from outside Abingdon part by bus and part by cycle. She says her new commute is cheaper, more flexible and makes her feel more connected to people. She also loves that she can get in her exercise on the way to work instead of spending time and money on a trip to the gym.
Gordon
“I just love the speed of [riding an e-bike]. Living in Headington, to walk to work on the Woodstock Road would be an hour; the bus would be at least an hour; and driving - the way traffic is - was an hour. But on the e-bike, I’m there in less than 15 minutes. And it’s the same going home.”
Richard
“You are a lot more integrated in your neighbourhood commuting this way. I have random conversations with people on my journey; when I stop at the lights on my bike, or when I’m on the train. I now recognise people I commute with and see friends on the street. For me, it’s always nice to talk to people.”
Philip and CyclAbility
Philip attended CyclAbility as part of his rehabilitation after a stroke. He now cycles independently on roads near his home in Oxfordshire. He says the sessions built his confidence as well as his core strength and road sense, and have also brought him freedom: “I don’t feel trapped in the village”. His partner Liz adds that CyclAbility has given him the chance to do something he’s always loved doing.
Katherine
Katherine, a participant in the Oxford Car Free Challenge, found the adult cycle training she received through the project very useful. And for journeys in and out of town, she usually uses the bus. During the three-week Challenge, Katherine was surprised to discover how little she missed using her car. She says she is now thinking hard about the options when it needs to be replaced, at which point she will consider using a car club instead. With the money she'd save, she thinks she might purchase a Brompton bike, which would help her in reaching her nearest car club car.
Catherine
“My advice is to do some planning by talking to someone who cycles a similar route to you; maybe even go out with them and check any junctions you’re unsure of. Make sure your bike has been serviced. Finally, don’t expect to do it all in one go if you’re worried about your fitness. Take it gradually, doing it once or twice a week, and build up.”
James
When he joined the Challenge, he says, he quickly met colleagues and neighbours travelling the same way: “I found the experience very enjoyable, very social, made lots of friends on the buses.” His journey became a chance to chat, even to have an occasional work meeting, or just relax and watch the world go by.
Evin
“Cycling helps with my mood, helps me relax between visits and I no longer get stuck in traffic. I’m more active too. Rushing from one appointment to the other in the car means you just don’t get the breathing time. Now I can appreciate the fresh air, the activity. Research shows that people who cycle to work are less likely to use antidepressants; and as someone working in mental health services I know how important it is to look after your mental health.”
Sarah
“I used to drive to other hospitals - in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury - but I got fed up sitting in the car and found I never had any time to do any exercise. I had to pay for parking and often struggled to find a parking space. I now get an hour’s exercise every day and a bit of headspace.”
Michael
“I like just having a moment to myself before heading into the office. I find it a way to release stress. Although it’s quite a short walk it’s pretty nice. I get to go through a big open park, there’s a Japanese garden here with a water fountain so that’s quite therapeutic first thing in the morning; almost like a meditative practice.”
Oxon4Buses
When Oxon4Buses asked people from across Oxfordshire why they like taking the bus, they got lots of different answers: from comfort, convenience and cost to joy, pleasure and relaxation. You can read some of their stories here.