Officers and staff taking to two wheels for Cycle to Work Day

Officers and staff from Derbyshire Constabulary are getting behind a scheme which encourages people to get cycling to work.

Cycle to Work Day is encouraging more people to get on their bikes instead of using their cars today (Thursday 4 August 2022).

Derbyshire Constabulary has it’s very own recreational cycling club, and a number of colleagues are backing the campaign.

One of those is Guy Parker, a Crime Resolution and Incident Management (CRIM) Constable working in the force control room.

Guy began his cycling journey through a friend, initially taking to mountain biking. After trying a hybrid bike and getting some experience on the roads, he took the plunge and switched to a lighter-weight road bike, and hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve been cycling to work for just over a year now, but have been back into cycling for a year and a half, and I really enjoy it. I started with a friend who was running along side, but due to disliking running I took to two wheels. It wasn’t as hard on my joints and I found it a lot more enjoyable. It’s all about finding the right fit and being able to enjoy the exercise.

“The biggest benefit for me is that is a de-stressor. When I’m cycling, I’m just able to switch off. All you think about is moving forward and getting from A to B – I don’t think about anything that might be going on at work or home.

“That’s the biggest thing for me, I think. I definitely notice a difference in my stress levels when I haven’t cycled or exercised for a few days.

“There’s also the fitness aspect of it. Moving every day and being active has had a huge impact on my fitness and energy, and it’s no secret the positive impact being fitter can have on your health.”

This Cycle to Work Day, Guy, along with other cycling enthusiasts up and down the country, are encouraging people to give the bike a go.

“I’d say to people just give it a go. Start off slowly, with some shorter distances, get the feel of the bike and your ability and go from there. Build it up, make sure it’s always
enjoyable.

“There’s always people around who are willing to help. Speak to people and if you’re not sure about your bike, there are various stores and service centres who can help you, do checks and make sure it’s safe.

“There’s the fitness impact, it’s good exercise, low impact on your joints and you can also tailor your speed as necessary to your ability, so you don’t need to go full throttle to feel a benefit. It’s also much better for the environment and good on the wallet as well!

“I think a lot of people are also worried about the cost, but it’s actually really accessible. There’s some good quality cycling gear in shops like Aldi, and you can get a quality bike second hand. I know a lot of people bought bikes over the course of the pandemic, and now they’re back to work and not using them as much, so they’re putting them up for sale in pristine condition.”

As well as a number of colleagues from Derbyshire Constabulary being avid cyclists, they also want to help keep you safe on the roads whilst you’re out on two wheels.

Before setting off, Guy does a number of checks, and if you’re taking part in Cycle to Work Day, or if you cycle regularly, make sure you follow these top tips before you get on the roads:

• Check your tyre pressure – bikes usually have this on their tyres so it’s easy to find out what pressure you need.
• Do a brake check and make sure they’re responding as they should be.
• Make sure your lights are working – you never know if the weather could change and you suddenly lose light.
• Make sure you’ve got appropriate gear – if it’s raining there are cycling rain macks you can wear, and there are tinted cycling glasses for if it’s sunny.
• Always wear a helmet – it could be a lifesaver!

For more cycle safety advice, visit our cycle safety page.