Ever wondered how your commuting experience differs to others? Each month we share the story of a real Cyclescheme cycle commuter and ask them seven questions to sum up their experience from their two-wheeled commute. This month, it's James from Surrey.

It's not often we get to hear, first-hand, how cycling to work can make a difference to your lifestyle. We all know that it's good for you and that it's environmentally responsible, but it’s always encouraging to hear a personal account from someone who has made the change from four wheels to two.

Each month we'll be featuring one Cyclescheme participant and hearing their story. We’ll ask the same seven questions (hence the name, The Cyclescheme Seven) in a bid to build up a picture of cycle commuters across the UK. From John O'Groats to Lands End we're scouring the country for the real cycle commuters who take to their bike each morning. We want to share the inspiring and, sometimes funny, stories that people have. If you'd like to feature on our website, just drop us a line on: socialmedia@cyclescheme.co.uk with "I'm in' in the subject line.

This month we caught up with James Day (Managing Director of Day Aggregates) to talk not just about his commute to work, but also his unique insight into the hot topic of the moment - cyclists and lorries.

CS: Where in the UK are you?

James: South west London

CS: What was your main motivation for getting a bike through Cyclescheme?

James: My Hercules Balmoral (purchased second hand for £18 twenty years ago) was rather long in the tooth to say the least. I’d been meaning to update it and also to start cycling to work for some time and the scheme gave me a good excuse to get on with both. 

CS: What bike did you get and why?

James: I chose a Cannondale F4. I wanted a decent bike with disc brakes and opted for a mountain bike as I like the ‘go anywhere’ ability. I cycle along the banks of the Thames and in Richmond Park, although to be honest the cycle paths in the latter are of a higher standard than many of the roads in London!

CS: How much did you spend with your Cyclescheme certificate?

James: With a good lock and the all-important safety gear I spent just under the maximum of £1,000.

CS: How often do you commute to work by bike?

James: My job involves visiting my company’s various operations around the south east which makes cycling impractical many days, but I’m usually at the office all day a couple of times a week so, unless it’s icy, that’s when I cycle.

CS: Where do you commute from and to?  

James: I live in Richmond, Surrey and work in Brentford, Middlesex; a commute of only about 5 miles

CS: How has cycling affected your daily life - do you feel healthier? Have you saved money?

James: I’ve saved money and undoubtedly feel healthier for cycling, getting both a bit of exercise and plenty of our splendid British weather.

Having to use some busy roads, including sections of the South Circular, it also overlaps neatly with my job. I’m Managing Director of a business that runs 115 Large Goods Vehicles which mainly move recycled materials and quarry products. Safety is of tremendous importance to us and we’re trying, as a company and through considerable involvement with our trade body, the Mineral Products Association, to ensure that our vehicles are equipped and our drivers trained to a consistently high standard.

We’re constantly reviewing safety equipment and driver training – particularly with regard to vulnerable road users - as you might imagine. But along with many other operators in the industry and in conjunction with Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police to name but two, we’re also doing what we can to help cyclists appreciate the challenges of sharing road space in a city such as London and what they can do to help stop accidents.