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A local cyclist who spends her days showing others that anyone can hop on a bike - no prior skill required - has spoke-n out on the ways she thinks Jersey could be made even better for her fellow two-wheelers.
Jacqui Dos Santos is one of 80 women who have signed for Jersey Sport’s weekly guided women-only cycle rides - HSBC Breeze Jersey - and has become a champion for the rides, which are seeing more and more women joining each week.
HSBC Breeze - a British Cycling programme run by Jersey Sport as part of the #MoveMoreJersey campaign - is a group that meets regularly to get more amateur cyclists and beginners out on their bikes with confidence.
Ahead of this Sunday’s HSBC Let’s Ride Jersey cycling event, which is open to all ages and abilities, Jacqui Dos Santos wanted to share some of her views on how to improve the cycling experience for all around the island...
Dedicated cycle lanes on wide main/major roads. Jersey is beautiful and whilst exploring the green lanes and coastal paths is a great thing to do, many people are put off as they may have to negotiate a main busy road to get to them.
Pictured: Jacqui would like to see more dedicated cycle lanes on wide, main and major roads.
Cycle lanes could help take away some of the fear and encourage people to get out and about to appreciate the island by bike instead of car, which would in turn help to incorporate the island’s plans to cut air pollution and reduce emissions.
Cycle paths - more in the east of the island please.
Pictured: The east of the island is lacking some cycling lanes.
Going west is great but east could be improved.
Make cycling a part of the school sports sessions, to help our younger generations think about this as an alternative mode of transport - one that boosts health and wellbeing, is for all the family whatever their age or fitness level, and is a great way to promote social inclusion.
Pictured: For Jacqui, the benefits of cycling should be introduced right from school.
There could be scope to work with the police to use unclaimed lost property / abandoned bikes for schools to support this initiative.
Improved, secure bike parks in town and around the island...
Pictured: If people are using their bikes, they need somewhere to store them.
with a consideration of solar powered e-bike charging areas, to help reduce emissions.
The Government should consider purchasing a number of different e-bikes that people can loan out to try before they buy. E-bikes are expensive and finding the style that suits each person can be something that takes time.
Pictured: You can't buy an e-bike without trying it first.
I believe an initiative such as this could help people feel able to make the right choice before they make their purchase, and with the correct advertising could educate those who believe using an e-bike isn’t proper cycling. The Government could work in conjunction with the bike hire companies in utilizing bikes that are stored out of season.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not Bailiwick Express.
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