Why I Cycle To Work: Ian Loasby

My ride to work is just over 7 miles, and this year I’ve been using an ebike on some days which means I travel in my usual work clothes.

My main place of work is the AMRC apprentice training centre by the new Waverly Estate on the Sheffield / Rotherham border. It’s part of the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

Much of my route is on a traffic-free Sustrans path alongside the Parkway. The bike allows me to plan my day as I know I will get to work in 35 minutes door to door. and I’m saving over £700 year in petrol I could burn stuck in traffic jams. On the very rare occasions I drive its almost impossible to predict the journey time due to congestion.

Once on the traffic-free section, I have time to think through ideas and plan for the day. As they say, many great inventions have been thought over on a cycle ride.

The main barriers to cycling are literally that, the A-frame barriers on the route are a real pain to negotiate on an ebike with a wide bar. I’ve also seen a mobility scooter jammed in them! Cycling infrastructure is non-existent out at the AMP sites, as everything is geared toward travel by private cars on 40mph roads.

I have an option to return the long way along the Five Weirs walk which is a wonderful way to end a working day in the spring. Not many drivers can say they saw a kingfisher on the commute home

One thing I have brought to my colleagues is an interest in e-bikes for commuting. They could be a step change for Sheffield.