Travel Champion Stories: Why cycling just makes life easier, Lydia Whitaker

Cycling just makes life easier. I do not see myself as an exemplary cyclist, but it is quicker than walking, it improves my mobility, it reduces my back and leg pain due to endometriosis, and it helps me and my family avoid unnecessary short car trips. It is now part of our daily life, and over time it has become the obvious choice for our school run. When we first started, only two other families were cycling. A couple of years later, four more families have joined in. It is a small change, but a meaningful one.

For me, that five‑minute ride to school is short but impactful, and it fits neatly into my busy routine. I drop the kids off and then cycle to the station to finish my commute by train. Even though the ride is brief, it has made a noticeable difference to my physical and mental health, and I really feel it on the days I do not cycle.

My partner and I taught both of our children to cycle early. When my eldest started school, my youngest was already confidently riding a balance bike at the age of three. Even though driving might have been easier at times, I wanted cycling to be the default and for my children to see it not as an event, but as an ordinary way to get around.

By the time my youngest reached school age, both children were cycling independently without stabilisers. We make a point of celebrating every milestone, so they see cycling as a skill to be proud of. Now that they are nearing the end of primary school, we enjoy short leisure rides together. Sometimes we ride to Constable Café near Manningtree or along the Wivenhoe Art Trail. These simple trips have become small adventures, and they help me build more cycling into my days. As a family, we use our bikes for most local trips around Manningtree, including shopping, visiting friends, and riding along the estuary. Cycling gives me and family a sense of freedom that I really value.

I often remind myself that cycling does not have to be perfect or constant. We sometimes drive when the weather is extreme, and although I cycle most days, it is not every day. My partner helps with bike maintenance and has taught the children how to fix punctures, which has boosted their confidence and independence.

My message is simple. Cycling is not about perfection. It is about doing what you can, when you can, and making those small everyday journeys easier.