Stories from GM Test Site

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Stories from around the world

Bike not bus

My car needed to go to the garage so instead of getting a lift or the bus back home, I threw (very gently) my bike into the back of the car so that I could cycle home after dropping it off. Saving... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Crushing carbon

Crushing carbon

I used to drive my car to the gym to walk on the treadmill. I would go macdonalds for a big mac on the way home. Now I ride my bike from home for a workout and pick something up to eat from the l... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Holiday by bike...

Holiday by bike...

Although I'd been cycling too and from work (8 miles) for several years, I had never attempted to 'go on holiday' by bike. Well, I decided this was the year - especially as travel restrictions mean... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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My 4 year old has cycled to school

Today, for Clean Air Day, we (my 4 year old daughter and I) rode our bikes to school instead of driving. She came off her stabilisers in the summer and is growing in confidence every ride. Her li... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Lockdown helped me ditch the car!

Since lockdown started, I've managed to almost completely switch to commuting by bicycle! The quiet roads and pop up cycle lanes have made me feel happy enough to get myself to work via pedal powe... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Year 4 Without a Car

I am now 62 and became interested in environmental matters in my teens, yes the 1970s. Even then, I could see the over reliance on cars, was going to get us into a lot of trouble. A little mo... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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cycle commute

I live just over 2 miles from my place of work and understand that it's not doing myself or the environment any good by taking the car to work. I am now cycling to work Monday to Friday and hope i... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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A Fantastic ride with Nicola

We plan the route two days before it is an easy ride with a stop at the end for lunch. we start our ride blissfully unaware we have downloaded two different rides so we use Nics garmin to follow t... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Toddler in tow

Toddler in tow

I’ve been encouraged to do my bit to reduce our family’s carbon emissions. One easy change for us is cycling the nursery/work commute instead of using our family car. My toddler is seated quite hap... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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No change then

We've had bikes since 1976. We don't have a car and haven't had since 1998 - that one was inherited from Polly's mother and we've never bought one. I don't even have a driving license. We use our b... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Family time

Decided that rather than go somewhere to enjoy a bit of downtime we could use our bikes to make the journey a bit of a memorable family experience instead. Cycled up some very large hills (!), stop... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Glorious sunrises

I have enjoyed the challenge of cycling to work, spurred on by the Love to Ride Cycle September and a bit of healthy inter-departmental competition. I regularly commuted by bike in London, but less... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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My 50 day challenge

I absolutely loved the #CycleSeptember Challenge. But I only committed to riding everyday from the 15th September (I was away, without a bicycle - for the week before that) So I have decided t... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I have ditched my petrol car :D

My petrol car was coming up for its' insurance renewal in August, this was set to cost me circa £60 with tax. In a bid to save money, I decided to declare the car as SORNed and attempt to live car-... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Lockdown rebuild

The start of lockdown gave me weekend time at home to finally get round to recommissioning a vintage Carlton road bike I've had for several years but which has been sitting in the shed for the last... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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School drop off

When our son transitioned from the local primary school to a secondary school 7 miles away, he agreed to try and cycle there and back a few days a week. He is now 4 weeks in, has cycled well over 4... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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My Car has been S.O.R.N'd :)

My car was due to be taxed on 1 June so I decided mid-May that I'd save the £160 and reduce my carbon emissions and start cycling to work. I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it certainly w... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I'm Scared

For my safety on the roads as I cycle with my child to school. As more people take to cars in cold weather the traffic backs up and it is terrifying having to cycle behind stop start cars getting a... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Commuting

Through COVID I switched to cycling to work on at least two of four days a week, this has increased and I now cycle almost every day I am working. This has reduced my car useage, improved my fitn... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Wednesdays are the best

Wednesdays are now my day in the office, which means I also take my son to school - we have got into a great routine of going by bike. Then I carry on to the office on my bike. Then the same journ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Wheelie excited to be back on my bike!

After a fall a few years ago I never worked up the courage to get back on my bike, until being inspired by Cycle September. Since then I've loved riding my bike to work or to the shops, come rain (... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Carbon comfort or carbon-free consideration?

Carbon comfort or carbon-free consideration?

It's surprising how many parents place their comfort and convenience over that of their children's future. Yes, it may seem more convenient to rush out of the house in PJs and slippers at 5 minutes... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Helping the Environment

I have worked from home since lockdown in March and this has saved a car journey of 25 miles each way to work. Using the M1 daily I was invariably caught up in traffic queues and the fumes created ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Teaching my friend to cycle

Teaching my friend to cycle

My friend hasn’t cycled in 30 years. She was given a bike but it was in need of repair. I booked her in to a local Dr Bike session and she was able to ride it home. I’ve been taking her out on litt... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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So long car!

Prior to the lockdown, like many families, we had 2 cars. But with them being used so little due to home schooling and working from home my wife and I decided to seize the opportunity to sell one. ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Car sold, new job and daily cycling regime

In January I started a new job which allowed me to cycle 12 miles to and from work. My previous job was 30 miles and 3 motorways away so cycling wasn’t an option. I decided to sell my car and put s... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Inspired by the children at my school

It's been fantastic to see so many children cycling to the school where I work each week. I love seeing my bike in the bike rack alongside a variety of almost adult sized racers, mid-sized mountain... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Back on 2 wheels - unexpected benefit of lockdown!

Before having children I was often out on the bike, but since having had children I have rarely been out. Since lockdown - and when the girls were able to return to nursery.. we were asked to not ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Cycle September Motivator!

For Cycle September this year my wife and I were working from home as our buildings are currently for essential office workers only. As I normally cycle 10 miles to work and back again each day I n... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Double child cycle to nursery!

Double child cycle to nursery!

For the car free day we decided to trial cycling both kids (1 and 3years old) to nursery. The kids loved it! Having the oldest on the front meant we could discuss traffic lights, cars and indicatin... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Shame

I cycle everywhere despite the fact we own two cars, however it's just a shame there's too many reckless drivers out there even when you have a child with you. When will it ever be a safe journey?

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Collecting the kids on Car Free Day

Collecting the kids on Car Free Day

This year my car has seen very little action, sitting patiently on the drive while I either work from home or cycle to the office, so it seemed a shame to use it on Car Free Day (September 22nd) fo... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Working From Home (No cycling?)

I'm a "dyed in the wool" cyclist and have commuted to work by bike for over 5 years now. However, since 18th March I have been working from home, which (you would think) reduces the amount of cycl... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Riding with the family

I have been riding since I was a child and my partner is the opposite I managed to convince her to ride to work and to the shop and we take both are kids out all on bikes for the day. Better for ar... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story My kid cycled himself to school!

My kid cycled himself to school!

My kids usually ride on the cargobike to school every morning, but during Bike To School Week, my 8-year-old cycled on his own bike three days out of five. It was 4.5 miles, mostly on the road, and... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Changing Habits

When coronavirus started affecting the UK, I decided to start cycling to work instead of using public transport, it’s 5 miles each way and I work Monday - Friday. 6 months later, I have upgraded my... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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