Stoke Newington resident Ally Rea, age 34, describes how she uses Santander Cycles
I love cycling when…
…it’s early, it’s quiet, the sun’s almost up and London’s almost your own. Summer or winter, there’s a magic to scooting along the streets under your own steam.
My favourite route…
Picking up a Santander Cycle from Hyde Park Corner and whizzing down to Horse Guards in a fraction of the time of public transport or walking, on cycle paths with a couple of landmarks to enjoy, before dropping the bike in the docking station off Pall Mall and heading down the steps to St James’s Park, the lake and the friendly pelicans.
Work, leisure or both?
A bit of both… I’m easing myself back into the saddle after having a baby last year (and my road bike’s been in sore need of a service) so Santander Cycles have been a good way of building up some gentle miles on short trips before braving an east-west commute.
Santander Cycles took my mum, sisters and lovely friends round east London for part of my hen do too – a memorable pootle from brunch to the park for sports day games – accessible to everyone, easy to use, no hanging about for buses and no retracing your steps to pick up your bike later.
The advantages of cycling for me...
Cycling saves gym fees as well as tube fares. It also saves me time and it’s nicer than the Central line at rush hour. It’s better than coffee to pick me up for a day in the office, and there’s no better way to separate home life from work life – no more checking emails on the bus!
My cycle style...
Office outfit in my bag, my heels live under the desk. I don’t feel the need to dress up for a Santander Cycle, they’re altogether more informal.
My cycle advice…
Be confident but not cocky. Never assume anyone’s seen you, or that they’ll know the Highway Code (when was the last time you read it?) or that they’ll do what you expect.
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