Month: November 2008

We did a 3 month post intervention survey of participants of the Swindon Workplace Cycle Challenge.

It was quite astonishing to get the following results.

Of participants who were ‘non cyclists’ before the Challenge (i.e. they hadn’t ridden a bike in more than a year):

32% of former ‘non-cyclists’ are now cycling at least once a week

 

20% are now cycling 2-3 days or 4+ days each week

 

93% have cycled again since the Challenge

 

20% are now cycling to work at least once a week

 

15% are now cycling to work 2-3 days or 4+ days each week

To get 1 in 3 non-cyclists to start cycling regularly thanks to a programme that you’ve run is a great feeling.  As is getting 1 in 5 people (who before the Challenge programme hadn’t cycled in years!) to start cycling regularly to work.

Of participants who were only cycling about once a month before the Challenge:

38% are now cycling at least once a week or more, with

 

21% now cycling 2-3 or 4+ times a week, and

As you can see, we’ve managed to significant proportions of the ‘non-cyclists’ and ‘occasional cyclists’ who were involved in the Challenge programme to cycle more often now.

We’re now keen to get similar Challenge programmes run in other towns around the UK.

If you’re interested in finding out what running a Challenge in your town would involve then please feel free to get in touch.

We have an evaluation report with all the findings and outcomes from the Swindon Cycle Challenge.  If you’d like a copy I can send you one by email.

Please contact:

Thomas Stokell

 

email:

thomas@lovetoride.org

phone: +44 (0)79 8430 9265

Here’s some quotes from Challenge Participants that help bring some colour to the above stats.

Here are some quotes from Participants of the Swindon Workplace Cyce Challenge.

We asked participants in a recent 3 month post intervention survey why they have continued to cycled.  We also asked participants in a two week post intervention survey why they will continue to cycle.

“My bike was stored in my shed for around 4 years before I started to ride it again. Now I’ve been back on my bike I’m really enjoying riding it again.”

“{The} Cycle challenge reminded me that I can do it, and not only that, enjoy it!”

“Up until July of this year I hadn’t rode a bike in 15 – 20 years! So I’m really pleased that I have kept to cycling 2-3 times a week ever since.”

“It has got my husband, children and me to go on cycle rides out as a family now. It is nice to get fresh air and exercise. ”

“Had my cycle reconditioned and found that I enjoyed using it for short journeys as it was more convenient.”

“I went out to buy a bike for the challenge – it’s something I’d been meaning to do for a while but I hadn’t got round to it…the challenge was the push I needed!”

“We now have a child seat & helmet for my daughter and it’s lovely for us to go for a bike ride as a family.”

“Because it made me feel much better afterwards. I also realised that it took me no longer to ride to work than it would do to get  the car out, drive it, park it etc in addition to the cost of the petrol.”

“The main reason is that not only did I get on my bike, my husband and two children did too. So family bike rides on Sunday will be my main reason. I will also cycle to work. This will keep me fit and save on petrol.”

“Because I found the cycling experience a very enjoyable one.  I also am able to get out and about Swindon a lot more and quickly as I was previously walking to places.  Lastly, it has become part of my fitness routine.”

“To justify the cost of my bike bought during the cycle challenge,(I hadn’t cycled for over 17 years) I will need to continue riding at least 1 day per week, more if I can manage it!”

“My daughter enjoys riding her bike and i had forgotten how much fun it can be.”

“The cycle challenge has made me realise that cycling is fun and good for you!”

“Mainly because my kids will make me do it & now that they know I can ride a bike they wil pester the hell out of me.”

“I cycled with my children and found the experience enjoyable”

“I got it out of the pile of stuff in the garage making it more accessible”

“During challenge cycled to places that I use to regularly drive to, and found didn’t take as long as expected.”

“Because i enjoyed it more than i thought i would, it was easier than i thought and i like the idea of keeping fit and traveling to work at the same time.”

Here are some more things that participants have said about their participation in the Cycle Challenge.