The joy of riding a folding bike

Phillip Belchere tries out Shropshire Council's pool bikes which includes a Brompton folding bike...

I am a recent convert to the benefits of the pool bikes and having used the 'company' Brompton on Friday I can't recommend them enough.

I was slightly concerned, returning to my old university city, of being seen on a bike that did remind me of my Granny's old Moulton bike so many years ago. But those worries soon evaporated when I was able to leave the stationary traffic behind at the station and I was able to grab breakfast at Starbucks without trying to find a car park and then wondering where I was. Sitting there drinking my coffee and munching an almond croissant, the 6am train ride was all but forgotten.

I arrived at the meeting pretty fresh and on time which didn't describe the condition of the other harassed consultants who drove or came by taxi. I felt rather superior sitting there with my reduced carbon footprints but my eyes drifted at times to check the weather!

Find out more about folding bikes on the Brompton website.

Think about getting pool bikes at your workplace? Contact Neal Challinor, Cycle Shrewsbury's workplace promotions officer, for advice; neal.challinor@shropshire.gov.uk or 01743 255436.