Beat the stress

Cycling gives me time to unwind and the fresh air lifts my mood

Before Scotland went into lockdown, charity worker Sandra Mutter hadn’t been on a bike since childhood.

Now, she clocks up 10 miles a day on her commute and is exploring Glasgow by bike at the weekends with family.

As a key worker, Sandra has been given a free loan of a bike from cycling charity Bikes For Good.

“It’s made a big difference. I would never have considered cycling to work without the offer of a bike,” she said.

Sandra previously commuted by car to the office where she works as a service manager for social care charity, Turning Point Scotland.

Now she finds zipping through city streets on her bicycle helps clear her mind of all the stresses of the working day.

“Managing such a complex service in these difficult times has become quite stressful. I realised driving wasn’t allowing me the time I needed to debrief after work,” said Sandra. “The cycle home gives me time to unwind and process my thoughts before I get back to my family. Getting a blast of fresh air helps lift my mood.”

A lack of traffic has given Sandra, 52, the confidence to navigate the city’s usually busy streets.

“The roads being quieter has made me feel safer. When I stop at traffic lights now it’s not cars but a swarm of bikes that comes around the corner.

“I would love to continue cycling to work after lockdown ends but I worry about cycling when there’s more traffic. I’d like to see more cycle paths linked up and made clearer.”

A daily cycle has helped Sandra maintain her fitness and also spend quality time with her postman husband, Pat, and teenage son, Anthony.

Sandra plans to buy her own bike through Bikes For Good and hopes to cycle to Loch Lomond with her family when restrictions allow.

“Cycling has let us explore parts of Glasgow we wouldn’t see otherwise, like the Clyde Walkway to Cambuslang.

“It’s given us freedom and a chance to appreciate our lovely local scenery.”