Keyworkers Lead The Way

(Commuting under Covid.. and afterwards)

Rebecca: Cycling to work provides a refreshing transition between work and home at each end of my working day. I love being in close contact with whatever the weather is — breeze on my face, drizzle, sunshine.

I enjoy checking out things on my way too: trees changing colour, houses for sale, gardens, plants, blossom, decorations, and of course more recently the rainbows and messages in people’s windows.

I work at at both the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire hospitals, and have especially enjoyed cycling during the lockdown as I have noticed much less pollution, fresher and less smelly air, and of course it feels safer as there aren’t so many people making journeys driving cars, vans, and lorries.

My tips for cycling: ride out in the road, at least one metre from the kerb, own your space on the road. It will make you more visible and less likely to be skimmed past than if you are riding in the gutter. (Also the gutter is often full of stones and glass!)

For the hills: tyres pumped up fully!, low gear and take it a pedal push at a time. A journey of three miles is the perfect candidate to be done by bike!

Route-wise I use cyclestreets.net, and ask for tips on the Cycle Sheffield Facebook group. If there is time I’ll take a detour to check out a different route as I like a change.

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.

It would be wonderful if Sheffield would install the trial infrastructure we are seeing in other cities during this time which can allow for social distancing on pavements and protected cycle lanes.

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.”

Girish: “An e bike in Sheffield is a boon for people of a certain age, like me!”

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.”