Case Study - February 2021

This case study has been kindly completed by Elspeth Gracey, who is one of our valued Community Green Team volunteers.

The following is a case study of one of our adult led cycle ride participants. The case study highlights the positive impact that cycling has had in their life.

Summary

The participant credits the led cycle rides as being an important part of building up their knowledge of new routes around the city and building up their physical stamina for cycling. They also feels it's been good for their 'state of mind'.

They enjoy the social aspect of the group and it's provided them with a greater insight into what's happening in their community and the range of local organisations that are available and what other local people gain from those activities.

They have an increased sense of independence in terms of getting around the city with less reliance on lifts from others to get about. They have enjoyed the discipline of getting out and about even if at first they were reluctant to go.

Previous Cycling Experience

They had learned to ride as a child, they had a bike and felt quite confident about cycling. During their time at University they didn't have a bike, but returning home they have got back into it over the last year.

What you hope to gain from Led Cycle Rides

They want to be more confident on Roads and to get to know their city better.

"It's definitely done a lot of good for my state of mind, getting up early and getting out in the fresh air, plus contact with people."

IMPACT

Knowledge, Skills and Confidence 

They said they have gained knowledge of how to adjust the saddle, to notice if the tyres are too flat.

"It's good to know if something has gone wrong and how to fix it"

"In general my confidence is about the same but I've learned about cycling in a group being more aware of other people." 

"Where I am more confident is I know more about what routes to use and much more familiar with them - not checking my phone and google maps all the time saves me time."

Health and Wellbeing

"It's definitely done a lot of good for my state of mind, getting up early and getting out in the fresh air, plus contact with people."

"It's good self discipline - provides a structure to my day"

"Physically it's good practice on the hilly bits, good to build up stamina."

How connected do you feel with your community

"I've been getting to know my city and places I'd not of thought about going to before, bits I didn't know about. e.g. I learned about the Mural Trail"

"I've got to know more about local organisations and projects, it's made me realise the importance of them and how much some local people get out of opportunities like this. It's increased my awareness of the importance of that for others."

"The ride leader told me about sewing classes. It's made me realise how involved we can be in the community."

"It's been a window into community life, another angle I hadn't thought of." 

Your sense of control and resilience 

"I can feel that I don't want to get out of bed in the morning, then when I'm cycling I'm really glad that I went."

"It's not pride exactly but you feel glad you did what you did."

"Not sure about control - I suppose not using Google maps so much because I know the routes better gives me an increased sense of control."

"When we are in the group the leaders are in control e.g. fixing punctures etc"

Your impact on the environment

"I don't drive, I've become more self sufficient in getting to more places. I don't ask for so many lifts, I don't use public transport so much." 

"Because I know the city better I can use more direct routes that saves me time if I'm carrying shopping for example" 

Anything Else 

"I really enjoy it, all sorts of people of all ages with a good mix of men and women, everybody brings something to the group. It's not cliquey. We get a chance to talk to everyone." 

"It's really encouraged me to cycle more, just knowing Glasgow better."  

"I've seen others become more confident and want to get even more confident." 

"It's definitely been good to do morning cycles and now if I want to go by myself I can find the motivation to do it by myself."

"I don't drive, I've become more self sufficient in getting to more places. I don't ask for so many lifts, I don't use public transport so much." 

The adult led cycle rides are supported by Glasgow Community Cycling Network and Glasgow City Council and the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund and we are grateful for their support.

More info about the led rides

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