The Southampton Directory - June/July 2009

On Your
Bike!
Since the invention of the ‘Safety Bicycle’ in 1885, an incredibly effective health and ﬁ tness exercise.
this versatile vehicle has changed people’s lives Cycling is good for your strength, stamina and
the world over. Although there were other bike-like heart. It gets you ﬁ t quickly, helps you lose weight
contraptions before this date, the ‘Safety Bicycle’ and boosts your mood.
bears the strongest resemblance to the cycle we
know today.
Over half of all car journeys are less than ﬁ ve
miles long, so by switching them to an easy
In many countries it’s the main form of thirty minute bike ride, you’ll save money, ﬁ nd
transportation. Over the years, bicycles have new places you didn’t know existed, shrink your
been engaged in many uses from commuting carbon footprint and get ﬁ t too!
to mail delivery, racing and recreation and even
entertainment; Frank Zappa played one as a
Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England,
musical instrument in 1963!
said: “Many families are looking for easy ways
to get more out of life, particularly during these
This single invention has changed the world in difﬁ cult ﬁ nancial times. Cycling brings families
many ways. For example, bicycles contributed together and is a fantastic, free way to explore
signiﬁ cantly to the emancipation of women in the new places and rides and have a lot of fun. We
late 19th century by giving them unprecedented hope that people will use Bike Week as the
freedom to travel unaccompanied. In turn, this led perfect opportunity to get back on their bikes and
to the liberating ‘rational dress’ which released re-connect with their communities.”
women from the restricting corsets and long
dresses of the time and allowed them to wear
To ﬁ nd out what’s taking place in your area, visit
bloomers, the forerunner of trousers.
www.bikeweek.org.uk and enter your postcode or
phone 0845 612 0661. If you’d like to take part but
By the 20th century, so many people were using don’t have a bike, this shouldn’t stop you – you
bicycles that overcrowding was reduced in cities can ﬁ nd your nearest bike rental outlet on the
by allowing workers to commute from further website.
aﬁ eld.
To ﬁ nd new places to explore, take a look at www.
With the current emphasis on ‘going green’ and sustrans.org.uk which has details of all cycle
reducing CO2 emissions, there has never been ways throughout Britain conveniently listed in a
a better time to start cycling and to this effect, downloadable format. Look for information on the
13th to 21st June is Bike Week. The purpose of National Cycle Network.
Bike Week is to get more people on bikes, more
often. This year their slogan is “get more out of
Why not make every week a Bike Week and get
life - live local, get cycling!” and the aim is to get
out and about on your bike and enjoy the great
family and friends having fun and exploring their
outdoors? It’s a great way to spend time together
local environment by bike.
and meet other locals whilst rediscovering the fun
of riding a bike
As well as being convenient, ecologically sound
and economical, cycling has many other beneﬁ ts.
To receive Eastleigh Borough Cycle Maps in the
It’s quicker than walking and even driving if you
post please email Eric Reed eric.reed@eastleigh.
commute through inner city rush hours. It’s also
gov.uk or telephone him on 023 8068 8233
6
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