Re-discovering My Love For Cycling

Hello friends! When I was little, my bike was one of my prized possessions and I spent many a joyful afternoon cycling with friends or by myself. Unfortunately, as I grew up, I gradually began using my bike less and less. At the start of 2022, I decided to add “get back into cycling” as one of my goals for the year. Therefore, I was delighted when South East Scotland Transport reached out and asked me to be a part of their “Do The Ride Thing” campaign as it’s given me the push I needed to get back on my bike and get acquainted with Edinburgh’s cycle network. I was thrilled to learn that Scotland is becoming increasingly more cycle-friendly with more investment into paths and protected cycle routes - making cycling easier, safer and more convenient than ever before!

“Do The Ride Thing” is centred on encouraging people to get out on their bikes while asking everyone to “Be More Shareful” when on their bike by respecting others who share the road or path. So, whether you’re like me and rediscovering your love for cycling or are completely new to cycling, I’d recommend taking a look at the “Do The Ride Thing” website which is filled with wonderful advice and tips on buying a bike, bike repair, learning to cycle and more.

As I mentioned above, I’m by no means an experienced cyclist but here are a few steps I’ve compiled to prepare myself for the warmer months when I hope to be more confident cycling around the city:

Buy a new helmet (or find your old one)

This was the first thing I did when I decided it was time to get back into cycling. It had been a long time since I was on a bike so I treated myself to a new helmet to keep me safe as I cycle around.  

Dig out your old bike, buy a new one or hire one

The “Do The Ride Thing” website is a great resource with advice on buying a bike, bike repair, and links that direct you to where best to hire a bike. If you are considering hiring a bike, a few local bike shops I’m aware of are Leith Cycle Co, Biketrax, and Cycle Scotland.

Get used to cycling by using Edinburgh’s cycle network

I’m not quite confident enough to cycle on main roads just yet so I’ve researched a few paths I’d feel comfortable to begin with. Thankfully, Edinburgh is blessed with over 75km of off-street paths, many of which were once railway lines, for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. I’ve found the Edinburgh Innertube Map to be a useful resource as it shows how you can easily navigate the city through mostly off-street paths.

This campaign has come at just the right time as I now feel well equipped with all the information I need to begin cycling around Edinburgh. If you’re getting back into cycling, I wish you all the best - happy cycling and stay safe!