To celebrate Strava’s Global Ride to Work Day, we’ve collected commuting stories from women all over the globe. Words and pictures collected by Maria David.
In recent years cities around the UK have become better adapted for cycle commuters, with cities like York, Bristol and London leading the way. This is such a far cry from the time when cycle commuting through cities was a risky experience that was the preserve of daredevils and cycle couriers.
I remember the first time I cycled to my place of work in central London over fifteen years ago. Although it was a sunny morning in May I found it quite an unpleasant experience. I rode through the streets ever so timidly and jumped whenever a vehicle thundered past me, then heaved a big sigh of relief when I arrived at the office cycle shed still in one piece!
Many years later, my confidence on the road has greatly improved and I enjoy the 16-kilometre cycle commute I do each way through London to work, particularly now with large numbers of other cyclists, and the recent opening of the North-South and East-West Cycle Superhighways.
I am happy to ride in other cities around the UK too, even if the cycle lane facilities available are variable. In fact, when doing foreign city breaks I also try to use the bike-sharing schemes on offer, as I find them a great way to explore the city. The Vélib system in Paris is definitely my favourite – I find it user-friendly and there, like in London, greater investment in cycle lanes and facilities has been made to make cycling around the city more pleasurable than ever.
So what’s it like cycle commuting in other cities?
