Meet Pilot Paul

Introducing Paul, one of our cycle taxi pilots responsible for ‘driving’ our popular ride-side-by-side taxis; the perfect vehicle for tackling loneliness.

This free cycle taxi service allows up to three passengers to enjoy gentle exercise and fresh air while carrying out journeys in their neighbourhood in a social group- all factors proven to be beneficial for physical and mental health.

Meet Paul!

Paul and his passenger Vijay on the solo-person cycle taxi

Which area of London do you taxi pilot in?
Waltham Forest every Tuesday – you can book via the website here.
 

What prompted you to take up a pilot role?
Ever since I heard about the Copenhagen Cycling without Age project a decade ago I’ve dreamed about bringing a similar scheme to our borough, so when I heard about the Bikeworks project I just had to apply to be a taxi pilot.

Are you involved in other community support work?

• I’ve been involved as a volunteer for many environmental organisations including Transition Walthamstow, Green (a community funded solar power project), and previously the Hornbeam Centre (where I was also a paid development worker for 2 years).
• Also as a volunteer with the Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign, a large part of which involved liaising closely with the council over the amazing Enjoy / Mini Holland transformation to deliver massive improvements to walking and cycling in the south half of the borough. As part of this I have led over 100 tours of the area for councillors, campaigners, council officers, MPs from across the UK and beyond.

Where did you hear about the role?
A Bikeworks team member bumped into a me in Leyton Jubilee Park as I was loading locally grown organic fruit & vegetables and told me about it.

Is it physically demanding? How do you find it?
The taxi is pretty easy to pedal as as it has a battery power e-assist motor which is takes most of the strain on hills or when we have multiple passengers on board.

 Best thing about being a cycle taxi pilot?
I enjoy meeting new people and chatting with therm, and love the challenge of finding new routes to and from places. Also the cycle taxi attracts quite a bit of attention, and people often want know more about the bike and how the scheme works.

What do you like to do outside of Bikeworks? 

I have an allotment, love walking in nature, enjoy DIY using as much reclaimed material as I can including unwanted wood from skips, & repairing items such as clothing using a 100 year old Singer sewing machine.
I also work as a cargo bike rider 4 days a week for ZED Waltham Forest.

 Please share your passenger tips and advice

If you are nervous about using the cycle taxi and not sure if its for you, why not ask us if you can have a short test ride before you book a trip. The seats are very comfortable; you only pedal if you want to; and if you decide after the test ride that you’d prefer to travel another way,  that is absolutely fine.

You can learn more about the cycle taxi here.