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As a small charity with a vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more active Exeter, volunteers are key to Ride On’s success. 

People volunteer as bicycle mechanics, bike foragers to find bikes we can fix up and sell, rickshaw pilots to take elderly people out on rides and fund-raisers to help organise more social and fund-raising events.

Gaining practical and transferable skills, as well as work experience can prove invaluable in finding a job. Lending a hand and developing your existing skills and knowledge is incredibly rewarding and great fun!

To give you a taste of what volunteering at Ride On is really like we put the questions to volunteer, Anna Ross who is gaining lots of new skills.

What does your volunteering involve?

I’ve been working on bike mechanics and maintenance in the workshop.   I help to strip down donated bikes, some of which can be in very unloved states! We clean them up and work out how to refurbish them so they can be passed on, matched with new customers, and loved again.

I have also been writing a volunteer handbook for new volunteers and helping produce a volunteer development programme. 

What do you enjoy about volunteering at Ride On?

 I really enjoy seeing our bikes go to new homes and helping people find the right bike for their needs. I love the variety of everything you can get stuck into at Ride On, and the encouragement I’ve received to give things a go and get involved. 

I feel valued and confident that I can make a difference about something I am passionate about. At the start I simply liked the idea of learning a new skill with bike maintenance which I could use on my own bikes but having quickly got involved in so many other areas I am so excited to be able to promote Ride On further within Exeter and hopefully start new initiatives. 

What are your hopes for the future of Ride On?

​I’m excited to be able to pass on what I’ve learnt at Ride On to others, especially the chance to get more women, and anyone who doesn’t feel confident in a workshop or using tools, involved in bike mechanics. 

My goal now is to set up women’s bike maintenance sessions along with some other volunteers, to get more women into the workshop and empowered to learn these skills and fix their own bikes. 

We’d also like to promote Ride On as a cycling hub within Exeter, where anyone is welcome, whatever their cycling ability or background. I want to help spread the word about everything that goes on at Ride On, especially when we are back up and running fully. And ultimately get more people onto bikes and cycling regularly, not just in Exeter but around Devon. 

If you’re interested in volunteering at Ride On email [email protected] telling us the kind of volunteering you are interested in doing. We will then take it from there!

We love volunteers, so there are lots of opportunities to volunteer! You can give as much or as little time as you can spare.

Notes for Editors

Ride On – Cycling for All

Ride On is Exeter’s hub for all things bike related. If you need a bike call us on 07544 314749 to make an appointment and come and look at our refurbished bikes for sale.

We also provide bicycle maintenance courses and Ready to Ride sessions for key workers, including basic bike maintenance and set up. 

Due to Coronavirus the weekly Bring Your Own Bike DIY maintenance sessions are not running, but Ride On’s Fix it at Home initiative consists of some useful and informative videos, especially for gear indexing and brake adjustment issues. See the website for details www.rideoncycling.org 

Find us on Facebook

Twitter @RideOnExeter

Instagram @RideOnExeter

Registered charity: 1174055

Ends

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 we have some very exciting news to share! We will soon be setting up dedicated sessions for women in Exeter to come into the Ride On workshop and learn bike maintenance skills. All experience levels are welcome and the aim of these Women’s Workshop sessions is on friendly encouragement to do something new and meet like minded people. There will be no judgement, no pressure and plenty of tea and cake! 

Who are these sessions for?

We want these sessions to be as inclusive as possible whilst providing a needed place for underrepresented groups of people in bicycle mechanics to come and have a go. They are aimed at anybody who identifies as a woman, or has a non-binary gender identity. This could mean transgender any of the many other various identities which are not ‘male’ or ‘female’ in the traditional sense. We want to be absolutely clear that we include women of colour, trans women, non-binary people and any other women who may feel discriminated against in some areas of feminism. We want to create an inclusive space, full of enthusiasm and friendly encouragement for trying something new. 

Why have sessions aimed just for women?

Growing up, women aren’t typically encouraged to fix bikes or given access to knowledge about mechanics in general. As a result, women can feel like they can’t fix things for themselves, or think it’s a man’s domain. All this can also be true for people with gender-variant identities. When the majority of mechanics are men, it can be hard to step outside of the comfort zone and into their shoes to give it a go. We want to create a women-led space where you are empowered to learn about your bike, share what you know (or just get on with it yourself!), all without the pressure and machismo that sometimes exists in male populated spaces. We hope to encourage more women out on their bikes regularly, and for their bikes to be in better condition and nicer to ride, to build towards Ride On’s aim of a healthier, greener Exeter. 

We also want this to be a community and social space, where women can come together to do something they may have never done before in a space free of judgement and pressure. Women and men learn differently, so being women-led and for women specifically, we aim to address this so that the workshops are valuable and specific to those who come along. Whether it is to learn a new skill or have a space to do a skill they are already passionate about but might feel like they don’t have an outlet for at present. 

What can I expect?

We will finalise the date and time of the first session over the next few weeks. Sessions will be around 2 hours long and include a mix of a structured, mechanic-led lesson about a certain skill and some free time to use what you learn on your own bike, or address any other issues you might want to learn. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike along to the session to work on, but don’t worry if you don’t have a bike yet or are looking for a new one, as we have a good selection at Ride On that can also be used. It is good to get to know your own bike first so whatever you learn is specific to that bike. We have all tools required available for use in the Ride On workshop, and parts are available to purchase as required. 

Places will be strictly limited at first due to distancing restrictions, but we hope these will ease over the summer so we can gradually open up more places. Keep an eye on our social media channels for further updates on the Women’s Workshop and how you can get involved. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the Women’s Workshop then you can email [email protected] for more information. 

Press release……………. Press release…………. Press release………. Press release

Looking for a second-hand bike for yourself or a child? Yes, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are convenient and cheap, but think about the advantages of buying a bike that has been maintained and serviced by experienced, qualified mechanics and volunteers.

At Ride On Cycling for All we ensure our bikes meet high safety standards. They are sold with a two-month warranty and our team can provide you with impartial advice on which bike would best suit your needs. Plus, Ride On bikes are affordable with adult bike prices starting at just £85 and children’s at £30 – £70.

Our mechanics and volunteers have been working hard during lockdown and, as a result, we have the biggest selection of refurbished bikes to choose from in years. If you need a bike for transport, fitness, or fun you can book an appointment to view our stock. We are now even open on Sundays for bike sales. https://www.rideoncycling.org/coronavirus-closure/buy-a-kids-bike-appointments/

Free Bicycle Scheme

By supporting Ride On you help us support those who can’t afford a bike. Through our free bicycle scheme, two bikes are given away each month to a deserving recipient nominated by a local charity or educational establishment.

We recently gave a bike away through a local primary school. The headteacher said “I gave the bike away this morning to the boy with his Mum. She could not stop crying she was so happy! He barely spoke a word he was so shocked and I am still not sure he believes it. His Mum said she could not believe that someone could do something so kind for someone they had never even met. She said it has been a really hard year for them and that this bike would mean he can go out with his Dad and enjoy spending some time together, which they would both love.”

Ride On have also given bikes away to people nominated by Social Services, Exeter YMCA, Exeter City Community Trust and Westbank.

Donate a bike

If you’ve used lockdown to declutter your garage or shed, you have children who have outgrown their bikes, or you’ve bought an electric bike and don’t want the hassle of taking your old bike to the tip or advertising it for sale on Gumtree or Facebook, contact us.  Please don’t take your unwanted bicycles to the tip. Drop them at our workshop in Exeter, so our team of mechanics and volunteers can bring them back to life. We’ve put over 3,700 bicycles back into use since 2011!

Please email [email protected] to let us know when to expect you. Come down to 61 Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP. Call us on 07544 14749 to make an appointment or arrange to drop bikes off at one of our drop-off points.

Notes for Editors

Ride On – Cycling for All

Ride On is Exeter’s hub for all things bike related. If you need a bike call us on 07544 314749 to make an appointment and come and look at our refurbished bikes for sale.

We also provide bicycle maintenance courses and Ready to Ride sessions for key workers, including basic bike maintenance and set up.

Due to Coronavirus the weekly Bring Your Own Bike DIY maintenance sessions are not running, but Ride On’s Fix it at Home initiative consists of some useful and informative videos, especially for gear indexing and brake adjustment issues. See the website for details www.rideoncycling.org

Find us on Facebook

Twitter @RideOnExeter

Instagram @RideOnExeter

Registered charity: 1174055

Ends

Inspired by cycling to and from school – come rain or shine – with his young granddaughter, Exeter businessman Mick Green has developed a new initiative to inspire others to join them.

The Cycling Whatever The Weather campaign has been backed by local cycling charity Ride On – Cycling for All and Exeter City Futures and sponsored by Exeter solicitors Cartridges Law.

Mick, who only took to the bike in the first lockdown in March, said he wanted people to consider cycling as an alternative to driving wherever possible. He added: “As a previously ‘diesel polluting school pick-up Grandad’ and a disabled 65-year old with a fat belly, I always picked my granddaughter up from school in my van. But a new drug controlled my condition and allowed me to get on a bike. My granddaughter is very keen on cycling which helped keep me in the saddle.”

Sharing the Ride On vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more active Exeter, Mick’s idea supports the Net Zero plan to make Exeter carbon neutral by 2030. He believes a cultural change is possible, where people of all ages think of cycling as the ‘norm’ and the first form of transport they consider. He likens it to learnt behaviour such as seeing litter pickers in action leading to other people ceasing to drop litter and starting to pick it up themselves.

The former Royal Marine, who now runs his own business Endorse HR, as well as being chairman of Exeter FSB, added: “Unless we can convince people to ‘cycle whatever the weather’ we are unlikely to make much headway with getting them out of their cars.

“Interestingly, all the evidence I’ve seen shows that it’s not the children who worry about the weather but the parents and carers.”

The average commuting distance in England is only four miles a day. Cycling this distance instead of driving would save 71kg of carbon – that’s equivalent to three trees!

Mick is now in the process of scoping the #CWTW project. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, organising events to support the campaign is an idea he has had to put on hold. Instead, he’s launching the #CWTW Challenge, where people sign up to take on the challenge and are presented with a duck bell handlebar bike light paid for by sponsors, Cartridges Law. Proudly sporting their handlebar duck bells they can ‘quack’ to spread the word and raise the campaign profile.

Nicky Mein, partner at Cartridges Law said: “We are proud to be supporting a great project like this. It fits perfectly with our ethos and values.”

Will Page, head of charity at Ride On, said they were delighted to support the campaign. He added: “We are impressed with the excellent campaign Mick is running. It ties in closely with Ride On’s values and vision. One of the great things about Exeter is how many inspiring voices we now have, proactively demonstrating the benefits of the lifestyle changes we want and need to see. The city is lucky to have someone like Mick Green!”

You can follow Mick Green on Twitter on @Mik1G, Cycle Whatever The Weather #CWTW.”

To join the campaign, or for more information, visit www.exetercityfutures.com/cwtw/

ENDS

JANUARY 2021

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Will Page at Ride On. – Cycling for All, [email protected]

Ride On – Cycling for All is a local charity based at Exeter Quay that recycles unwanted bicycles and helps make cycling safe, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone. Ride On has a vision for a cleaner healthier and more active Exeter.

The aim of Ride On is to get more people on affordable bikes, whilst offering education and training to keep them on the move, improve mental and physical health and wellbeing through cycling and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. 

Ride On – Cycling for All has teamed up with the Devon Community Forensic Team, who are part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, to offer social group outdoor physical activity for the people who use their service.

The Community Forensic Team work to support people who are being discharged from a secure hospital and to help them develop their independence and community living skills. Those attending the cycle group each week have all been discharged from hospital and are living in the community.  

Chloe Rosser and Amy Burdett, who are both Senior Occupational Therapists and Brendon Pollard, Peer Support Worker, and between four and six patients, come to Ride On once a week to borrow bikes and go for a ride along the riverside path and cycle trails, always stopping off somewhere for a coffee. Chloe, Amy, and Brendon plan the weekly agenda and co-ordinate who will be facilitating the group.

Before the coronavirus lockdowns, the Ride On team led the bike rides and the patients were also given bike maintenance tuition in the Ride On workshop.

“We work with men whose ages range from 24 – 60 – although they are mainly in the 25 – 35 age range – supporting them so that they can be discharged from hospital,” explains Chloe. “We help them find accommodation and peer support groups so they can rebuild their lives in the community.”

The cycling group is playing a massive part in rehabilitating the Community Forensic Team clients, who previously had no support. In fact, since the first coronavirus lockdown it’s become the highlight of the week for many, as gyms are closed and physical activity is reduced. Chloe and Brendon find that the cycling is a good way to motivate the patients to push themselves.

“They want to ride, and they are enjoying themselves,” adds Chloe. “And thanks to funding from Active Devon we have been able to buy essential equipment such as waterproofs, gloves and lights.

“Ride On has been extremely proactive: adapting bikes for us and performing risk assessments, as well as dealing with insurance for group rides and helping us access funding,” says Chloe, who was responsible for most of the pre-work and admin for the project.

“If it weren’t for Ride On we would not have been able to set up the group as our patients do not have their own bikes. The cycle group, along with other leisure activities that they enjoy, such as fishing, metal detecting and walking are all social experiences that enhance their recovery.”

Will Page, Head of Charity at Ride On, said, “We’re really enjoying working with the NHS and their patients on this project, and to clearly see the impact that it’s having on their lives. The happiness on the faces of the riders when they come back into our yard is a joy to see. So many people across Devon could benefit from discovering the freedom that cycling can bring; we would be very keen to help more projects like this get started.”

Notes for editors 

Ride On – Cycling for All is a local charity based at Exeter Quay that recycles unwanted bicycles and helps make cycling safe, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone. Ride On has a vision for a cleaner healthier and more active Exeter. The aim of Ride On is to get more people on affordable bikes, whilst offering education and training to keep them on the move, improve mental and physical health and wellbeing through cycling and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. 

www.rideoncycling.org

[email protected] 

Ride On – Cycling for All is registered with the Charity Commission: No.1174055

The Devon Community Forensic Team is part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust which provides mental health and learning disability services across Devon, the wider South West and nationally.

The team was established in 2018, being one of three sites awarded contracts by NHS England to become pilot sites for new community forensic teams. The focus of the team during the pilot has been on accelerating the discharge of patients from secure inpatient services, with a focus on supporting transition, reintegration into the community and improving quality of life.

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/our-services/secure-care/community-services/devon-community-forensic-service-dcfs

Bike Bank, the Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) project is going from strength to strength since ECI and Ride On Cycling for All teamed up to run the bike maintenance workshops at Ride On’s base at Exeter Quay.

The aim of Bike Bank is to create a supportive workshop where vulnerable adults can learn practical skills in refurbishing bikes, both for their own benefit and for that of others. Ride On – a charity that is passionate about getting more people riding affordable bikes more often – is providing ‘hands- on’ training in a supportive environment.

ECI helps people facing poverty, inequality and homelessness get their lives back on track and gives them the opportunity to do something constructive with their time.

Bike Bank attendee Jeff is an ex-Navy refrigeration and air conditioning engineer suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Jeff hasn’t been able to work for a while, but says that the Bike Bank training is helping him mentally and taxing his brain. “I’ve   learned how to index gears properly, change cables and set V brakes up. It’s also good to get out and speak to more people – it’s great to have adult conversation! And it’s nice that at the end of this I can hopefully volunteer and get involved.”

Jeff will be making good use of the new skills he’s learned at Bike Bank. He says he has lots of friends who need help with their bikes and children in his neighbourhood are always knocking on the door asking for help.

 “So many people are using bikes now especially with lockdown. There are so many families out and about on bikes which is great to see and I want to help them keep riding,” adds Jeff.

Ride On Workshop manager, Sam White adds: “The Bike Bank is a great project that helps build confidence and wellbeing through refurbishing donated bikes. We work on a one-to-one basis, covering all aspects of bike maintenance in a welcoming and social environment. Since we have obviously adapted our systems and workshop to be safe so it is great to once again be teaching people, whilst also helping to make cycling accessible in our city.”

To find out more about the ECI/Ride On Trainee Workshop Programme which offers practical skills in bike repair contact Jane Hawking on 07547 958156 or go to the  ECI website https://www.eci.org.uk/  or the Ride On website www.rideoncycling.org 

Notes for editors 

Ride On – Cycling for All is a local charity based at Exeter Quay that recycles unwanted bicycles and helps make cycling safe, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone. Ride On has a vision for a cleaner healthier and more active Exeter. The aim of Ride On is to get more people on affordable bikes, whilst offering education and training to keep them on the move, improve mental and physical health and wellbeing through cycling and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. 

61 Haven Road Exeter EX2 8DP 

Contact 07544 14749 

[email protected] 

Ride On – Cycling for All is registered with the Charity Commission: No.1174055

The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of cycling. Cycling through winter can mean continuing to be active, leaving the car at home and continuing to play your part in creating a cleaner and healthier Exeter. Plus, it’s a handy way to social distance during the Covid 19 pandemic.
The benefits of cycling all year round are:
– Increased fitness and weight control,
– Save money on gym membership, petrol and bus or train fares,
– A stronger immune system and less likelihood of catching coughs and colds.
– You’ll feel happier. Exercise makes the body produce Serotonin which contributes to wellbeing and happiness. Plus, cycling in the fresh air and enjoying the scenery will help improve your mood.
Remember – ‘A bike is for life, not just the summer.’ Don’t let cooler weather put you off! And if you’ve started cycling more since lockdown, there’s no reason to stop.

Here’s our handy tips to help you Ride On through the changing seasons:

– the clocks change at the end of October so don’t be caught out without lights. Basic sets start from around £10 with rechargeable, brighter options from around £30. Don’t forget to use local cycle maps to plan your journey so that you can use lit paths or avoid the busier roads to feel more comfortable. For more information go to https://www.traveldevon.info/cycle/cycle-routes/cycle-maps/

– There’s no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing! Wear layers, rather than one big coat and remember waterproofs, gloves and a buff (or scarf) depending on the forecast. You may also want to consider mudguards for your bike to keep you dry.

– Some days you may not want to cycle – and that’s ok! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you choose to get the bus when it’s chucking it down, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be lots of sunny winter days to come.

– Be Safe, Be Seen! As well as bike lights, try to wear bright clothing or arm/leg bands or rucksack covers for around £5-10 if vests aren’t your thing. Be heard too – get a loud bike bell.

– Go easy in wet or icy conditions – it can get slippy, particularly when cornering, so take care. Make sure you have grippy tyres and inflate tyres slightly less to improve traction. Remember it takes longer to slow down when you brake in snow and don’t brake on ice!

– Look after your bike and it will look after you! Check your tyres and try to clean and oil your chain regularly. Find out about our bike maintenance courses if you want to learn more or book your bike in for a winter service at your local bike shop.

– And remember all the great reasons to cycle! It’s free, it’s fun, it keeps you healthy and you’re helping to reduce congestion and pollution, which makes us all feel great.

At Ride On we’re happy to provide advice and tips on winter cycling and if you are interested in learning more about how to maintain your bike yourself read on.

Ride On is Exeter’s hub for all things bike related. If you need a bike call us on 07544 14749 to make an appointment and come and look at our refurbished bikes for sale.

We also provide bicycle maintenance courses and Ready to Ride sessions for key workers, including basic bike maintenance and set up.

Due to Coronavirus the weekly Bring Your Own Bike DIY maintenance sessions are not running, but Ride On’s Fix it at Home initiative consists of some useful and informative videos, especially for gear indexing and brake adjustment issues. See the website for details www.rideoncycling.org

Donations

We’re always on the look-out for second-hand bikes. If you can safely deliver your bicycle to the workshop, we are grateful for any donations. Please email [email protected] to let us know when to expect you.

PRESS RELEASE …. PRESS RELEASE…. PRESS RELEASE…. PRESS RELEASE….

Ride On – Cycling for All and Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) have teamed up to run the ECI’s Bike Bank project from Ride On’s base at Exeter Quay.

The aim of Bike Bank is to create a supportive workshop where vulnerable adults can learn practical skills in refurbishing bikes, both for their own benefit and for that of others. Ride On – a charity that is passionate about getting more people riding affordable bikes more often – will provide the ‘hands- on’ training in a supportive environment.

“Ride On is incredibly excited to be working with ECI to help bring Bike Bank to our workshop at Exeter Quay,” says Will Page, Head of Administration & Partnerships.

“Cycling isn’t just a form of transport- it’s great for people’s physical and mental health, as well as tackling the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions.

“Working on this project in partnership with ECI, we’ll be able to boost people’s confidence by teaching them how to fix bikes as part of our Ride On community. This will aid their independence, save them money, and help them achieve their personal goals.

“We look forward to developing Bike Bank with ECI and are determined that it goes from strength to strength.”

Exeter Community Initiatives helps people facing poverty, inequality and homelessness get their lives back on track. They recognised that an increasing number of people wanted to be involved in meaningful occupations but there were few opportunities. Despite having extremely high needs themselves, people still want the chance to do something for others.

“Bike Bank is a highly valued project and it was a hard decision to close it last September, whilst we looked for further funding. So, we are extremely excited that we are once again in the position to re-start Bike Bank, and in partnership with a fantastic charity in Ride On,” says Carole Pilley, ECI Development Manager.

“We work with a variety of people who need the opportunity to do something constructive with their time. Angus, who has mental health issues, found that our course helped increase his confidence and that the emphasis on practical skills helped improve his focus and concentration.

“At the heart of the project it is about sharing practical skills and it doesn’t matter what level of education you have or what has gone on in your life – it is about working on a bike, so it is a great leveller.  Ride On are totally passionate about bikes and cycling and have great facilities. We are sure our Trainee Mechanics will gain a huge amount from working with them.”

To find out more about the ECI/Ride On Trainee Workshop Programme which offers practical skills in bike repair contact Jane Hawking on 07547 958156 or go to the  ECI website https://www.eci.org.uk/  or the Ride On website www.rideoncycling.org 

Ride On source pre-loved bikes, recycle them to donate and sell back to the local community using volunteers and qualified mechanics. Ride On also runs its own basic bike maintenance courses, Ready to Ride sessions for key workers, women only sessions and organises group rides. To find out more about Ride On take a look at the website or email [email protected]  

Ends

Notes for editors 

Ride On – Cycling for All is a local charity based at Exeter Quay that recycles unwanted bicycles and helps make cycling safe, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone. Ride On has a vision for a cleaner healthier and more active Exeter. The aim of Ride On is to get more people on affordable bikes, whilst offering education and training to keep them on the move, improve mental and physical health and wellbeing through cycling and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. 

61 Haven Road Exeter EX2 8DP 

Contact 07544 14749 

[email protected] 

Ride On – Cycling for All is registered with the Charity Commission: No.1174055

Ride On – Cycling For All is busier than ever! And the charity is looking for bike donations in the Sidmouth area.

Ride On is a bike recycling charity based at Exeter Quay. We refurbish second-hand bikes and get them back on the road – In 2019 we put 681 bikes back into use in Devon.

The Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing rules have created a growing demand for bicycles. Public transport cannot run at full capacity and if everyone took to driving private cars Devon would grind to a halt. Air pollution levels would rise adding to the health risks associated with Coronavirus.

Encouraging cycling and walking is clearly the answer to rethinking global transport systems, increasing clean air, giving people access to more exercise, improving mental health and offering the freedom of independent travel. Cycling is an efficient and affordable way to travel and easily enables social distancing. And work is already underway to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Donate your old bikes

You can contribute to this initiative by donating your old bikes to Ride On.  Whether you are decluttering your garage or shed, have children who have outgrown their bikes, or you’ve bought an electric bike and don’t want the hassle of taking your old bike to the tip or advertising it for sale on Gumtree or Facebook.

If you can deliver your bikes to the Ride On workshop that’s great. (Address below) If not we have a bike drop off location in Sidmouth. Email [email protected] for details.

“There’s a bike boom right now and we are struggling to keep up with demand,” says Sam White, Ride On Workshop Manager. “We will accept donations whatever state they are in. Even if we can’t save a bike, we can always strip the parts that can be put onto other bikes and re-used.” 

Some of Ride On’s key customers are ‘key workers’ – those vital to public health and safety such as care worker Sarah Pennington. 

‌“Within‌ ‌Exeter‌ ‌I‌ ‌cover‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌five-mile‌ ‌radius‌ ‌from‌ ‌my‌ ‌home,‌ ‌which‌ ‌takes‌ ‌me‌ ‌about‌ ‌30‌ ‌minutes,‌ ‌e.g.‌ ‌from‌ ‌Heavitree‌ ‌to‌ ‌Langford‌ ‌(on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Crediton‌ ‌road‌ ‌beyond‌ ‌Cowley),” says Sarah. ‌ “‌I‌ ‌use‌ ‌bus‌ ‌and‌ ‌train‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌Crediton, ‌ ‌Exmouth, ‌ ‌Honiton, and ‌Sidmouth. ‌ ‌I‌ ‌love‌ ‌that‌ ‌I‌ ‌can‌ ‌take‌ ‌my‌ ‌bike‌ ‌onto‌ ‌the‌ ‌Exmouth‌ ‌train‌ ‌without‌ ‌booking‌ ‌(boarding‌ ‌at‌ ‌Polsloe‌ ‌Bridge)‌ ‌and‌ ‌then‌ ‌cycle‌ ‌across‌ ‌Exmouth‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌other‌ ‌end‌ ‌to‌ ‌work‌ ‌in‌ ‌care‌ ‌homes‌ ‌up‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌cliffs.‌ ‌

“Cycling‌ ‌keeps‌ ‌me‌ ‌fit,‌ ‌gets‌ ‌me‌ ‌across‌ ‌the‌ ‌city‌ ‌faster‌ ‌than‌ ‌a‌ ‌car,‌ ‌and‌ ‌gives‌ ‌me‌ ‌a‌ ‌zing‌ ‌of‌ ‌freedom‌ ‌every‌ ‌single‌ ‌time‌ ‌I‌ ‌get‌ ‌on‌ ‌my‌ ‌bike.‌  ‌It‌ ‌helps‌ ‌me‌ ‌wake‌ ‌up‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌to‌ ‌work,‌ ‌and‌ ‌helps‌ ‌to‌ ‌clear‌ ‌my‌ ‌head‌ ‌and‌ ‌switch‌ ‌off‌ ‌from‌ ‌work‌ ‌as‌ ‌I‌ ‌head‌ ‌home.‌”