Keyworkers Lead The Way

(Commuting under Covid.. and afterwards)

Girish Vaidya: Here’s my story of my return to cycling after 35 yrs!

I’m a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.

When I rode last, bikes didn’t have gears. So, when I took some time off to selfcare and be an NHS Carer (and inspired by conversations with Dr Ollie Hart and Greg Fell and lots of other folks) it seemed the right time to try it again.

The beauty of cycling in Sheffield is the support available. Pedal Ready provides excellent, free tuition and you can often loan a bike from CycleBoost too.

I tried a usual bike but found the e bike fantastic for hills. Since then, I’ve had an ebike delivered by A Different Gear. An e bike in Sheffield is a boon for people of a certain age, like me.

Now, I make it a point to ride a few miles every day — come rain or shine (the latter helps). I ride for shopping trips (and now tend to buy less food waste), for leisure (Sheffield is beautiful), and for fitness (I try and use less and less battery).

The Covid19 lockdown meant the roads were empty and safe. The sun meant I could see the potholes. Now, as roads get busy again, I also worry about ice, and potholes.

My reflections after all this are that cycling has HUGE preventative benefits that extend beyond the immediate health ones. And I’d say that Lycra is not essential. With an e-bike you can wear a suit or jeans, and you can even do your shopping on it, and then get some time out.

My requests to help cyclists would be to look at Road Bounce digital road survey technology to help before winter, and I’d like to see Sheffield Council and the NHS supporting organisations like Pedal Ready on a more long term basis.

I’d also like to see disabled cycling supporting for the health of carers and disabled alike, with multiseaters available on the Motability scheme.

More Stories from Sheffield Keyworkers:

Sue : “These strange times call for action!”

Rebecca: “It would be a shame to return to pre-covid levels of congestion and pollution, but without infrastructure for active travel, a lot of people will be too scared to try.”

Jenny: “That feeling of reaching the hospital alone, on my bike, has been wonderful.”

Lee: “When I’ve had a busy day, seeing things you don’t want to see, it’s enjoyable to cycle back home. It gives you time to think.”

Clare: “People would be more encouraged to cycle or walk to work if there were safer routes”

Paul: “My car’s not moved for three weeks.”

Heather: “Be safe. Be happy. Help the planet.”

Liz: “Be brave, a bit of assertiveness helps. And then inspire others.”