Pedal Pals scheme to boost city cycling
ACHARITY aims to help cyclists feel more confident on the roads and boost their skills with a new buddy system. In a first for Glasgow, Bike For Good has launched a new online service aiming to connect people through cycling.
People who can cycle are encouraged to sign up and create a profile.
Then they can contact others to chat and arrange cycling together, or share skills and routes.
It’s free to join and available for both new and experienced cyclists.
Bike for Good CEO Gregory Kinsman-Chauvet said: “Glasgow has a great cycling community and we hope that Pedal Pals will bring new people together.
“If you’re new to cycling, riding with other people can help you build up your confidence and learn more about cycling.
“We urge everyone to sign up, it’s completely free and it’ll help people get out more, learn new skills and make new friends.
“We hope this service will encourage more people to commute by bike regularly and create sustainable change in Glasgow too.”
Bike for Good recognised this sort of online network was missing from the city and would help grow the cycling community.
It also serves a social purpose, meeting other cyclists and improving their cycling experience, particularly as we come out of lockdown.
Bike for Good ran a pilot test with their service users, volunteers and staff prior to the launch.
They were met with positive feedback from everyone that took part and went for cycles with a Pedal Pal.
Pilot users said that it helped them get outside more and learn new cycling routes.
A pilot test user, Shgufta, said: “I think people have a lot of barriers with cycling, including not knowing the route, missing the social interaction or the motivation to get out and I think Pedal Pals addresses all of these.
“Whether it’s how much you should carry, what snacks to bring, what to wear, or good routes to try, there’s so much to learn and absorb when cycling with others through Pedal Pals.”
Sign up for free at www. bikeforgood.org.uk/pedal-pals
There’s so much to learn