SAY NO TO RISING PETROL COSTS, POLLUTION AND CONGESTION! GET CYCLING AND HERE IN SUTTON IS THE PLACE TO LEARN!
With petrol costs rising to astronomical levels in this country, without any real explanation why, it is hardly surprising that people are looking to cheaper forms of transport than the car. Sutton Council is keen to encourage people to get cycling and, where possible, it has provided special cycle lanes for this very purpose; but when did you last ride a bike?
If you are like me, bike riding is some dim distant memory of days long gone, when, as a child it was no big deal to go off on my bike and spend the whole day cycling in the park or the local area with my friends. Cycling on the road was much easier then as the number of cars was much less. Parents could cheerfully let us go off without being too terrified that we would be abducted by some gruesome stranger. Since then, the bikes have been replaced by cars and we have become ever more reliant on these.
However, when we drive all the time we are not nearly so much in touch with our surroundings. We know the ever familiar routes that we take, but we do not notice very much detail and we do not come into contact with each other in any sort of neighbourly way. Cycling can take us off the beaten track in a way that cars never can and it is a great source for keeping fit and active. Today, more and more young families are taking it up as a means of spending fun time together.
As fuel costs continue to escalate, why don’t we think about the possibility of cycling again? Particularly, when it comes to those local journeys we make when we really should not be using the car. To this end you may be interested to know that Carshalton’s EcoLocal are offering Adult cycling sessions every Thursday from 11.00 – 12.30 at the Sutton Arena, Middleton Road, Carshalton. If you would like the opportunity to learn to cycle, or just to brush up your cycling skills in a safe and car free environment, or you just want to feel fitter, just turn up. The sessions are suitable for people of all abilities and there is a large range of cycles suitable for everyone. There is no need to book. The cost is £3.00 per session and there are a limited number of free spaces for over 50’s who have not been before. Email cycling@ecolocal.org.uk for further details or look at the website on http://www.ecolocal.org.uk/project-detail.php?id=104 which will tell you all you need to know.
They are looking forward to welcoming you. Go ahead and give it a try. Who knows, it could open up a whole new lifestyle for you!
