Stories from the streets: pedal power for pensioners

Cycling City roadshow team member Andy Bending (right) met an inspirational gentleman this week...

I first met John a few weeks back at at Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride. He told me he had cycled for years, enjoying family touring holidays in the 70s and cycling to work regularly in the 80s, through to his retirement.

John told us that 'his work colleagues called him a "nutcase" for cycling to work, but now everyone seems to be doing it.'

Some years ago John was diagnosed with breathing problems and the enjoyment of walking and cycling was becoming a struggle.

He wished he could have joined in with Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride, but that day had come just as a spectator.

I suggested to John that an electric bike could assist on the hills, giving him the opportunity to enjoy cycling once more and get out of the city.

John jumped at the chance and we met up last week to try out a Cycling City electric bike, on loan from Atmosphere bikes. John and I cycled along the Pill path beneath the Suspension bridge and tried a few hills to see how the bike helped.

"I'm fed up with cycling the same routes. Last week I could only get to Saltford along the Railway Path before I was breathless.

"With an electric bike I'll be free to roam around Bristol and see the countryside once more. I need to stay fit and an electric bike could be just the job. This is great, thank you for all your help."
 
The electric bike John used is a Wisper model, which can cover 60miles on a 4-5hr charge, which costs about 4-7 pence on an ordinary household plug. It also has the added luxury of a half-throttle to help with setting off on hill starts.

John Radeon is 73 years old, from Lawerence Weston and is now looking to buy his own electric bike.