Meet the instructor – Gareth Roberts

How old were you when you started cycling?

I’m guessing I was about six or seven, although I did have a small trike at an early age. As a youngster, I was more than happy to kick a ball around or play marbles or hop scotch on our council estate in Anglesey until my older sister had a bike for Christmas. This gave me the urge to learn to ride a two-wheeled bike, and I probably had more use of the bike than my sister did. Once I started riding I had the freedom to gradually extend my play area into other areas of the town. 

What motivated you to become an instructor?

My connection with cycling has been a lifelong experience. It started when I watched my father going to work on his bicycle to patrol the beat as a police officer in the 1960s. Bobbies on Bikes were a common sight when I was growing up, and seeing my father tinkering with his bike probably influenced me to build a bike in my early teens after scouring bike parts from the rubbish tip.  

A year or so later, I earned a few quid (plus tips!), delivering groceries from the local Co-op on a delivery bike. Despite the bike being rather heavy, especially when fully loaded with groceries, it was a pleasure to ride until the roads got hilly. That’s when it became a hard slog as the bike had no gears. Nonetheless, I stuck it out for over two years.  

Later in life I rode motor bikes and bicycles to commute to work at Crewe fire station in Cheshire, which was a 10 mile round-trip from my home. As well as responding to emergency calls, my role as a firefighter included community safety work. When my firefighting days ended in 2009, I wasn’t ready to give up work altogether, and a school caretaker job came my way. This gave me good vibes about working in a school, so when the opportunity to become a Bikeability instructor came along, I jumped at it. It just seemed the perfect job! 

What is the best part of the job?

Seeing participants grow in confidence and improve their riding skills is very satisfying. For some, taking part in Bikeability is a huge turning point in their lives as their decision-making is put to the test, and more often than not, it enhances their self-belief on their journey to become an independent rider. Coaching SEND participants is also rewarding. What works with one doesn’t always work with another, so the instructor has to sometimes think outside the box to achieve a successful outcome. My employers, Everybody Health and Leisure, are very on-board with giving SEND participants the best possible opportunities. 

What is your favourite cycling memory or experience?

I have many. Several coast-to-coast challenging rides in England, Scotland and Wales and many charity rides come to mind. However, a two-way north to south cycle ride on Anglesey (30 miles) when I was 10 years old is probably the one experience that stands out.  

It was at a time when the roads were much quieter and vehicles moved much slower. I was riding my sister’s bike, and looking back, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go for a bike ride that day. No preparation or planning whatsoever and at the time it felt like a huge achievement for a group of youngsters whose parents only found out about their adventure when they returned home feeling hungry and thirsty, with aching legs and sore bottoms! 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

As well as cycling of course, I enjoy walking, swimming, gardening, watching sport (mainly football) and watching live theatre. I also volunteer at a swimming club, which caters for people with disabilities. This is another rewarding pastime, especially seeing swimmers express their freedom in the water when they are unable to move freely. It’s also good to see swimmers reach their goals or start swimming independently. 

Where is your favourite place in the world?

Without doubt, it has to be North Wales. Perhaps I’m a little biased though, as I was brought up in this area. There’s a lot on offer from heritage sites to fabulous landscaping and a wide choice of outdoor-life attractions.  

The bike-friendly seafront is a joy to ride on and is suitable for long-distance riders or those who lack experience. It’s in the same league as the Dutch cycle infrastructures, which I rode along during a charity bike ride for Prostate Cancer in 2018. Starting at the Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley we rode to Hull before sailing to Rotterdam and then pedaling along miles of well-maintained cycle infrastructure until we reached the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. 

Do you have any top tips for people who want to start cycling or cycle more?

Contact your local authority who may offer advice on cycling in their area. Sometimes they can identify local cycling infrastructure or point you in the direction of a cycling club. Social media can also be useful to find about cycling activities, as is the British Cycling website.  

People living in my neck of the woods have been offered ‘learn to ride’ and ‘commute with confidence’ sessions by Everybody Health and Leisure (Bikeability providers), and they also offer Bikeability courses beyond schools to give home-schooled youngsters or those who might have missed Bikeability, due to being absent from school, a chance to take part. 

Who’s your cycling hero?

Two top-class road and track champion riders come to mind. Geraint Thomas and Chris Boardman, who’s cycling achievements, have been massive. However, I feel Boardman has to take the number one spot with his work to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, with his work as cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, and as the national active travel commissioner.  

On a local level, most of my Bikeability colleagues are cycling heroes. Their enthusiasm often shines through on Bikeability courses. One in particular goes a step further than being an instructor by campaigning for safer cycling and walking infrastructure in his community during his spare time. 

If you weren’t a cycle instructor, what would your dream job be?

I can’t imagine doing any other job, but if I had to choose a dream job, then it would be a professional athlete. But that was never going to happen in a million years! In my previous job as a firefighter for over 30 years, it was always satisfying to help members of the public, especially those in distress.  

It was also a privilege to be part of an organisation that was committed to making our communities safer. It was my dream job at the time, and in all honesty, from a ‘job satisfaction point of view’ the work of a cycle instructor is up there with being a firefighter, especially when you see the look of fulfilment on a youngsters face when they ride a bike for the first time, or when they put into practice the skills they’ve developed on the course. It’s also satisfying to know that our work is geared up to influence young people to be more active and healthier, and to give the planet a better chance of survival.  

Fortunately, my links with the fire service remain, and on some occasions when they have carried out road safety initiatives, I have arranged for a fire appliance to make a brief appearance at our Bikeabilty courses to hand out freebies, such as bike lights and reflectors. 

Are there any projects or things you’re doing that you’d like to tell us about?

Some of the members at the swimming club that I volunteer at have potential to be more active in their lives, and for this reason, I encourage them to take on sponsored swims, and walking and cycling challenges. Many have been happy to ‘give it a go’ and as a result, they have felt a sense of achievement, which has given their self-esteem a boost. The walking and bike challenges are usually in the local parks, and although their cycling ability is mixed, it’s hopeful they will continue and others will join-in over time.