Chris’s green way forward (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Chris’s green way forward

4:41pm Tuesday 8th July 2008 in Search By Sally Clifford

Chris Armstrong believes soaring fuel prices could prompt many to boycott the petrol pump and get on their bikes.

Chris launched his cycle training business, BeCycling, in May, primarily teaching youngsters cycling and road safety skills within schools. He intends to extend his services to individual adults and companies who may be looking to swap petrol for pedal power.

Chris is conscious of our quest to lead greener lives and is actively exploring it through his business.

The 47-year-old didn’t start cycling until his Forties. “I’d ridden as a child, but the last time I rode I was only 11. I got a bike for passing my 11 Plus. I think I rode it for about a year and never rode it again,” says Chris.

His insurance policy didn’t cover him to drive his camper van to and from work, so he took up cycling and he’s been on two wheels ever since. “At the time, I was working in Clayton and living in Shipley. I lost three stones in six months,” says Chris.

“As an adult I’d not really done any exercise. Cycling was something I enjoyed and I stuck to it.”

Voluntarily running cycling activities at his eight-year-old son’s school gave Chris the incentive to turn cycling into a full-time career.

“I have a little lad who is eight now. I taught him to cycle and started doing cycling activities at his school on a voluntary basis. I got trained as a coach through British Cycling and started volunteering to do after-school cycle clubs and it spread from there,” explains Chris.

“I remember when I started cycling to work, thinking about how busy the roads were and I thought road safety training would be a good thing to pass on to other people – those returning to cycling or starting out for the first time.”

Chris’s initiative will certainly be welcomed by the Government who are already backing cycling schemes in a bid to encourage us all to get on our bikes rather than behind the wheel.

“I have a diesel car and the price is astronomical. If I’m doing a short journey, it’s just greener to go on the bike, a lot cheaper, and you also get the exercise. There is a big Government push to get children and adults out exercising and, because I have enjoyed it, I find cycling’s a great way of getting that exercise.”

Following further training with the company Bikeright, Chris is now passing on the benefits to others through teaching to the national cycling standard. His greatest satisfaction is seeing the progression of youngsters from stabilisers to two wheels to riding proficiently in the playground and safely on the roads. “It’s seeing the children learn and seeing them out cycling is the best bit,” says Chris.

He worked in social services before pursuing a cycling career. Before that, he talks of the “itchy feet” which prompted his worldwide travels.

Growing up in the Lake District, Chris longed to see the rest of the world, so he spent two years on a global travel experience, living, working and leading a totally different way of life. Seeing the conflict while in Israel ignited Chris’ interest in politics and prompted him to do a three-year Peace Studies degree course at Bradford University when he finally returned home from his travels.

“I went just after the invasion of Lebanon and saw the tanks going up, which was a bit of an eye-opener,” says Chris.

“I’d always had an interest in politics so I thought I’d learn a bit more.”

Following his degree, Chris went into residential social work with Social Services in Calderdale and Bradford, looking after people with learning difficulties.

Latterly he worked in IT, but he longed to work with people again. Cycle training gave him that opportunity.

Chris tells me he found it daunting setting up his own business but, he says, if you are passionate enough about your subject, you can do it.

To find out how to become a cycling instructor visit British Cycling at britishcycling.org.uk or contact Chris on 07960 734965.