News - Principal proves his pedal power

23rd June 2011

Coleg Gwent is certainly getting into the spirit of being greener, fitter and healthier for National Bike Week (18 - 26 June) taking their lead from Principal Jim Bennett

Jim joined staff at Crosskeys Campus on Thursday 23 June, where other staff were taking part in cycling lessons provided by the College with funding from the South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA).

Jim is a keen cyclist since his first cycling holiday as a teenager which saw him make the journey from Lancashire to Lands End. The two week trek gave him a taste of life in the cycle lane and has since gone on to take part in triathlons and still regularly uses his bike, although admittedly not as much as he’d like to due to his busy schedule.

Jim thinks the cycling lessons are a great idea: “Cycling is a win, win, win mode of transport – it’s often quicker than taking the car, particularly in heavy traffic, it’s healthier, and it’s relatively inexpensive to both buy a bike, and maintain it. I think formal training offers the skills, confidence and preparation to get more people to cycle, which is good for their health, their bank account and of course the environment.”

The free one-to-one lessons were run by Cycle Training Wales. The sessions were tailored to the individual, from complete beginners to those who are looking to sharpen their skills and awareness to cycle safely on roads and in city centres. In addition, to promote safe cycling the College also offered Dr Bike free bike maintenance checks.

Amongst those taking lessons was A-level tutor Hilary Beynon who was riding her bike which she purchased through the College’s Cycle-To-Work scheme run on behalf of the College by Cycle Solutions, of Swansea. Hilary thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and thought it was really worthwhile: “At the moment I’m really only a leisure cyclist but the lesson has already given me more confidence with things like turning right in traffic. It made me think differently from when I’m driving my car, it was just what I needed!”

Steffan Webb, who works for the Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre based at the College also had a lesson. Steffan took advantage of the College’s new pool bikes which have been funded by a grant to develop sustainable transport by SEWTA awarded earlier this year.

Also as part of the SEWTA grant, the College has provided facilities to encourage more staff and students to cycle to college by providing brand new cycling storage facilities across its campuses and improvements of changing facilities. The grant will also fund additional investment to signpost cycle paths clearer for students and staff and further improve facilities across campuses.

Campus Director at Crosskeys, Jen Jenkins said: “We recognise that Crosskeys Campus has the opportunity to become the champion for sustainable travel for Coleg Gwent due to its proximity to the main line from Cardiff to Ebbw Vale, excellent bus service to Newport and surrounding areas and access to two National Cycle Tracks so this training is one step to help us achieve this.”