The Joy and The Fear
Cycling is amazing, right? It’s efficient, it’s fun, it’s quick, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for the local economy, it’s great for your mental health, it’s great for your physical health. The list goes on…
11 bikes with room for at least 15 passengers in the space of one car
So, why don’t more people cycle more?
The perception of road danger is a very significant barrier for lots of people: whether it’s an accurate assessment of the risks or a more irrational reaction, it still stops people from getting on their bike. I’d argue it’s the biggest barrier: arguably the single biggest influence for the majority of people.
If “cars/drivers” is your answer to the question, “why don’t you cycle more?”, then I would definitely recommend cycling as part of a group. Even two or three people can have a big difference on the feeling of safety, as well as giving you more visibility and more space on the roads. Check out Bike Worcester’s events page for details of our next ride.
I had an experience this week that really hammered home the contrast of cycling in a group (with the Oldbury Park Primary School Bike Bus) and then cycling on my own (on my way home from the Oldbury Park Bike Bus).
The Joy of the Bike Bus
Oldbury Park Primary School Bike Bus
Take the amazingness of cycling and then multiply it by about a billion: you’re getting close to the awesomeness of Bike Buses. I’m constantly amazed by how such a simple concept (support families in cycling to school) can be so powerful. It’s a great start to the day, it’s sociable, it’s empowering and it’s fun.
What’s not to love?
It’s not just about getting from A to B; it’s about building community and showing that cycling is safe and fun. Plus, there’s that added layer of safety in numbers—drivers notice you more and behave differently when you’re in a group.
The Oldbury Park Primary School Bike Bus is epic* - a group of inspiring families run two routes that join on Oldbury Road and then we pow it down a busy main road to school as a group. It’s heroic, really fun, but (and crucially for this post) it feels super safe to be riding with 15 or more people.
I’m a huge believer and advocate in the power of the Bike Bus. If you want to know more or want help setting one up at your school, please get in touch.
The Fear of Close Passes
And then, there’s the flip side.
After Oldbury Park Bike Bus, I don’t have the luxury of taking the scenic (safer) route. I have to take the route along the main road to get to work on time. I know that means I have to cycle uphill along Tolladine Road. I know it will be busy with rush hour traffic and I know I am going to get close passed by a driver.
I am a confident cyclist: I’ve ridden a bike in Worcester since secondary school, I’ve done Bikeability courses as an adult and I am an assertive rider. But even with all of my experience, I still have a sense of trepidation when I say bye to my Bike Bus comrades as we leave Oldbury Park Road
Close passed on Tolladine Road
It happens every week. A car whizzes by, so close I could have knocked on the window and asked for a lift. It’s infuriating, scary, and exhausting. You wonder, "Do they even realise how dangerous that was?"
Close passes aren’t just a mild inconvenience - they’re a huge barrier to making cycling accessible for everyone. When drivers don’t leave enough space, it’s a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done to make roads safe for cyclists.
Why We Keep Going
But here’s the thing: despite the close calls and the occasional burst of adrenaline-fueled rage, I keep getting back on my bike.
Why?
Some selfish reasons: I’m fitter and healthier because I ride, it’s quicker than driving for most of my journeys and I enjoy it. There are less selfish reasons too: it’s good for the environment, I hope I’m inspiring others to get out on their bikes more often and if I’m not in a car, it means there’s less traffic for everyone else.
I’m optimistic. The belief that things can get better outweigh the bad moments. Plus, every time I see another cyclist on the road, we get a newbie on a Kidical Mass or I hear someone say they’re thinking about dusting off their bike, it feels like a little win.
If you’ve got questions about Bike Buses, Critical Mass or reporting illegal driving, please comment below.
Keep riding!
*all Bike Buses are epic in their own way
