A little thread on cycling in London. The experience of a 45 year old, overweight woman - ie me (inspiration provided by @peterwalker99 in his article this morning) ...

As some of us start to think again about how we might in future make the trips we used to do on the bus, tube and train, please, please, please think about making them on a bike.

I am no Victoria Pendleton but it’s amazing how far you can go, how quickly and actually how much better it makes you feel. And you save money on your bus and train fares.

I live in zone 3 of London - between Lewisham and Hither Green. It takes me about 40 mins to cycle into work in central London through parks and on quiet roads. I feel safe and it means I switch off from emails and my phone.

At the weekend, I cycle into Lewisham (and further afield!) when I go to the shops and I stick things in my bike basket (amazing how much you can get in there). Sometimes I go out for longer rides - down the Thames Path, out into the leafy bits of Bromley.

I know lots of people think cycling is not for them. That you have to look good in Lycra (believe me, I don’t) or you have to be capable of doing the Tour de France (believe me, I’m not).

But, please, give it a go. Those of us who are able, need to do it to ensure there is space for those who can’t on public transport. And stick with it, you’ll feel fitter and stronger within a few weeks.

Life is going to be pretty different for a while. We are going to need to change how we move around the city. I’d love this horrible period to lead to hundreds of thousands of women (and men!) in London taking to their bikes - being healthier and happier as a consequence.