Category: spotlight

Spotlight on a cyclist – Alan Irving

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight
  1. What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

I’m Alan, I had a somewhat nomadic upbringing but I’ve been in Aberdeen off and on for (yikes) twenty-five years. I currently work in Stavanger (Norway) and travel home every weekend or two.

  1. How did you get into cycling?

As a child of the 1980s, I had (and outgrew) a Raleigh Chopper, Mag Burner (BMX), Peugeot racer, then a steel mountain bike which I still own. I fell out of the habit at university in Edinburgh and London, but fell back in thanks to keen work colleagues – first mountain biking and orienteering in Scotland, then road cycling when we lived in Pau, southwest France, for five years.

  1. What kind of cycling do you do?

A bit of everything, although I undoubtedly spend as much time fixing bikes as riding them. My favourite sort of ride is mixed terrain: quiet roads, lanes, woods, nature…of which we’re fortunate to have plenty around Aberdeen. But I equally enjoy using bikes for transport whenever I can, instead of defaulting to the car.

  1. What type of cycle do you use?

See above. Most often I ride a cyclocross bike that is reasonably efficient and practical (rack and mudguards for commuting) but capable of detouring offroad when required. I still have road and mountain bikes but ride those quite rarely. We have a family folding bike (Brompton), which is handy for mixed mode trips (bus, train or car boot).  And in Stavanger I often use the public rental e-bikes – which are free for the first 15 minutes, or one hour if your employer is a member of the local sustainable travel scheme.

  1. Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

My usual route in Aberdeen was from Redmoss to Westhill via the A944 path, but I wouldn’t call it a favourite…  Otherwise, the Gramps (Kincorth and Tullos), the Coast Path from Cove to Greyhope Bay (before it was buried by the harbour), Tollohill Wood, the Causeymounth, and the aforementioned quiet roads and lanes linking them up.  In Norway, I can bike to work on a mix of quiet roads and shared paths, which are well maintained (swept in autumn and cleared in winter) and quiet enough to minimise conflict between users. The public transport is well integrated too, and I’ve taken my bike on buses, trains and boats, which opens up some fantastic terrain for exploring on two wheels.

  1. What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

Where to start? It won’t be news to anybody, but better, continuous cycle routes would be number one. Norway is undoubtedly rich, but they spend it wisely. Tunnels, underpasses and bridges are common, and it’s quite rare to cross a road “at grade” with other traffic. There is a (nearly finished) 16km (10-mile) Sykkelstamvegen (cycle highway) between Stavanger and Sandnes, with electronic counters recording the thousands of daily users (including the occasional roller skier or speed skater). There are also some simpler (cheaper) things we could adopt – clear signs, user-activated crossings that change quickly (or even automatically when a cyclist is approaching), and handy metal rails to avoid dismounting while you wait.

  1. Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Find buddies, for help, advice and encouragement. And go for it! The Norwegians talk about overcoming the dørstokkmila – the doorstep mile. If you can just get outside and start moving, you’ll usually forget whatever was holding you back.

Some photos from cycling in Norway.

Sørmarkatunnelen – 380m of smooth tarmac and big enough for (I guess) emergency vehicles in case the adjacent road tunnels are blocked. 
Bikes go free on two ferries which are included in the city transport ticket.  Further afield they’re cheap (or even free), and you pay a half (=child) fare on trains and buses.
Bikes are (wisely) banned from the subsea road tunnels, but allowed in most others, including the first couple of kilometres of the spectacular Lysevegen mountain road.
Taking a bus/boat opens up some fantastic countryside when the weather is fine (as in summer 2025).  
Officially, buses may be limited to two bikes, but it’s at the discretion of the driver, and there’s usually ample space.
The public rental e-bikes are comfortable, pretty abundant and usually well maintained. 
Electric road sweeper clearing autumn leaves from a shared path on my daily commuting route.

Spotlight on a cyclist: Laurie Rominger

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight
  1. What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

Hello! I’m Laurie, and Aberdeen has been my home since 2016. I’m originally from a rural area outside of a small town in the US. To say it was a car dependent place would be an understatement. We didn’t even consider it possible to go out the front door for a jog. We didn’t have public buses. The private car was our interface necessary for living life.

  1. How did you get into cycling?

Going to university was my first time cycling in a city, and I was immediately hooked. My university was covered in safe streets, effective traffic calming measures, pedestrian areas, bike paths, and green spaces.

Leaving campus, things got a bit less cycle-friendly. Actually, it’s still a running joke between my friends about the time we were once away from campus and I realised a bike lane ended and I screamed “WHERE’S THE BIKE LANE GONE?!”

American university campuses are a work of perfection. I once overheard a uni student telling her friend how happy she was walking and using the bus, but that she was away to buy a car because she would need it when she had a job. We get four years living in a beautiful place, being active, bumping into friends in our shared (walkable and accessible) outdoor spaces, then the rest of your life in a car.

  1. What kind of cycling do you do?

Aberdeen is the perfect size for cycling. I can get to a lot of places in 5 minutes, and anywhere else in 15, so that’s most of the cycling I do. I find so much joy in the simple act of cycling somewhere I need to go. I’ve never found excitement in opening my car door and sitting down to drive. So I consider myself pretty lucky to get to live in a city where I can quickly get anywhere on a bike.

  1. What type of cycle do you use?

I used a Halfords bike (shout out to all the Apollo Virtue users out there!) for over five years. It gave me loads of new opportunities, for both work and leisure. Taking jobs in different locations, seeing all of the parks, new communities, exploring the Deeside. That bike opened up my world.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and that’s particularly  true of a cheap Halfords bike. After I got my permanent residency last year, I bought myself a present – a proper commuter bicycle. I used to walk, car share, and take the bus all the time, but since I’ve had a reliable bike, I just don’t have interest in those other things anymore. Not that they’re not great options!! I just can’t tear myself off of my bike.

  1. Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

I dawdle up and down King Street several times a week. I love that it’s quite flat, super direct, and always filled with loads of people walking and cycling. And at least there’s a bike lane. #stopparkinginthebikelane

  1. What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

Ok, hear me out. Bus/cycle lanes help keep traffic away from cyclists. Presumably, the highest volume of car traffic happens at peak hours, so in non-peak hours the need for cars to have two lanes of travel in one direction is not significant. It doesn’t seem to me like there are many advantages of giving drivers two lanes in off-peak hours. If we had a city-wide ban on cars in bus lanes 24/7, we could potentially make cyclists safer. 

It’s a small, easy fix, but at a deeper level, it would be nice if we could question the default that cars get as much space as we can possibly afford to them.

  1. Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Cycle with a friend! Find someone with a bike and cycle to the supermarket together. Cycle to Duthie park together and race each other down the slides. Cycle to the beach then jump in the water. (Ok, I might pass on that last one!)

That’s what I wish I could have had when I first started cycling in Aberdeen. There are lots of friendly cyclists here, but when you’re surrounded by cars, it can feel quite lonely out there. 

By the way, if you don’t already have friends keen to cycle with you, you can come find some new ones at Aberdeen’s critical mass bike ride on the last Friday of the month!

Spotlight on a cyclist: Fiona McDonald

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight
  1. What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

My name is Fiona, I grew up in Scarborough in North Yorkshire which was a great place to cycle. Small enough to get around easily on a bike and with lovely countryside. I’ve been in Aberdeen for nearly 17 years now.

  1. How did you get into cycling?

My Dad was very enthusiastic about early mountain biking and took us on some adventurous family holidays exploring off-road routes across Scotland. I loved the fact that my bike gave me independence for getting about and I was already cycling regularly as a teenager although not to school as I lived so close it was easier to walk. When I left to go to Nottingham University I used my bike a lot and was introduced to busy city centre cycling by a good friend who had grown up in inner London and had absolutely no fear of the 3 lane traffic jams!

  1. What kind of cycling do you do?

Most of my cycling is short trips, my work commute, going to local shops and accompanying my daughters to activities. I also occasionally enjoy mountain biking, longer road trips and family cycle trips.

  1. What type of cycle do you use?

I have a hybrid bike which I use almost every day. I’ve also got a road bike and an old Stuntjumper full suspension mountain bike which I still treasure as I rode it when I competed in the Transalp multi-stage mountain bike race many years ago which was an amazing experience.

  1. Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

My work commute to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is my regular route – only about 20 minutes passing through some busier and quieter streets of the west end. We’re lucky to live close to the Deeside line which I’ve really appreciated for family cycle rides as my girls have grown up. In the summer of 2020 my girls and I cycled back from Ballater to our house over 2 days which was a great little adventure. I also enjoy cycling through Hazlehead and up to Countesswells Woods.

  1. What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

I’ve been cycling for a long time so I’m quite happy navigating Aberdeen streets but it’s not so appealing for new cyclists or younger riders. I’d like to see safe cycle routes that everyone can use to connect the city centre to the suburbs so that many more people can leave their car at home for short journeys and enjoy cycling around the town. I’d like to feel that I can encourage my daughters to cycle into town but at present Union Street and surrounding streets are really not well designed for safe cycling.

  1. Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Try out the Deeside line if you live in the west end. It can be busy at times and you need to be careful around dogs and children but you will soon reach the leafier suburbs and get some lovely views along Deeside. Look for quieter streets when you’re planning your route and ask friends who cycle for their tips on how best to get from A to B.

Spotlight on a cyclist: Martin Sharman

by Rachel M, posted in campaign, spotlight
  1. What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

My name is Martin, I grew up in Aberdeen and the Shire and left when I was 18 years old to go explore the world. I ended up finding myself coming back to the city through an unexpected turn of events a couple years back.

  1. How did you get into cycling?

I have always had a bike of sorts in my life, mainly for getting from A-B. I would not class myself as an avid cyclist enthusiast in terms of it being a regular hobby nor me striving for personal stats and Strava titles, but I do enjoy it when I am on a bike.

I had not cycled for quite a while but the Covid-19 situation got me back into it again more recently, and led to the purchase of an eCargo bike for the family.

  1. What kind of cycling do you do?

I mainly use the bike for commuting to work; dropping off, and collecting the children from nursery, and doing everyday journeys to supermarket and town etc. I have two young boys which has given me an opportunity to re-explore the city from a kid’s perspective and cycling them about seemed an obvious option for that… parks and the beach front are always only a 10-20 minute bike ride away!

  1. What type of cycle do you use?

I mainly use the family longtail eCargo bike but do have a small folding bike for when I need a bit of solace.

  1. Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

I love cycling with the kids; the conversations are great, and adventures are many. Our favourite route is anywhere on the paths along the banks of the Don between Seaton park up to Dyce village.

I use the eCargo bike as much as I can, some weeks I am out on it every day and even doing multiple trips; others I just cycle once or twice , on the odd day or two… I do try avoiding car journeys where possible; it’s not always easy… but an ebike does make it easier.

  1. What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

Aberdeen is pretty straightforward to navigate when you know how but there are some trouble areas and routes; most can be avoided with a bit of research (Komoot and google maps). Improvements I would like to see just now are just small things like the odd dropped kerb and removal of a bollard/chicane blocking the way on certain routes. Additionally, well thought out joined-up cycle infrastructure would be a huge boost to the city.

  1. Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Just gets out there! Pick park or coffeeshop or some other local business to support and plan your trip taking quiet, wide roads or routes with dedicated cycle paths; from my experience you’ll be surprised on the number of courteous car drivers there are when you do have to join the carriage way.

Spotlight on a cyclist: Torcuill Torrance

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight

Torc is our super cyclist of the month for April. He’s an avid and experienced cyclist and a long-time supporter of the Aberdeen Cycle Forum. If you haven’t seen him out cycling you might have seen him online challenging car-centric ideas.

1) What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

Torcuill Torrance, came to Aberdeen to study in 1989 before moving to Newtonhill.

2) How did you get into cycling?

Being brought up in the Scottish Borders I enjoyed exploring, and before I knew it caught the bug and joined the CTC (now CyclingUK) and AUK to go longer distances.

3) What kind of cycling do you do?

Steady and with a café stop. I really enjoy the conviviality of Audax events, so a nice 200k randonnee around some scenic hand curated café stops is what I love.

4) What type of cycle do you use?

One with a wheel at each corner. Maybe you mean something different? Road, winter (with proper guards, flaps and dynohub), audax and mountainbike.

5) Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

Usually ride around Aberdeenshire, with occasional forays into the Cairngorms, Ochils, Lothian and Borders too. My local favourite is a loop from Newtonhill to Clatterin Brig, over the Cairn O’Mount to check on the Saltire I commissioned on the viewpoint, before zooming to Banchory for soup and a sandwich and home.

6) What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

All conurbations of 3000+ should be part of a fully segregated cycle network spanning the Scottish Nation…and beyond.

Failing that an e-Bike for everyone.

7) Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Find a local group – whether that’s CTC/CUK or a “club” that will help you with roadcraft and show you how to look after yourself. And if you can’t find one start one. I did that in Newtonhill and there’s over a hundred members now.

Don’t be afraid to get off your bike for a wee breather to take in a lovely view, or at night admire the northern lights. With a bike the journey is the destination.

Spotlight on a cyclist: Hanne Bruhn

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight

This month in spotlight on a cyclist we’re talking to Hanne Bruhn, a regular at Aberdeen Cycling Forum meetings and a recent winner of the Most Inspirational Volunteer award with Sustrans Scotland. Well done, Hanne!

1) What is your name and how long have you been in Aberdeen?

I’m Hanne and I arrived in Aberdeen in 1997 to study at the university. Somehow, I fell under the spell of the granite and here I am in 2022! 

2) How did you get into cycling?

Coming from Denmark I’ve cycled all my life for transport although after arriving in Aberdeen I travelled by foot the first 16 years as the roads (read hills) and drivers terrified me. In 2012 I started cycling with CTC Grampian at weekends and haven’t looked back. 

3) What kind of cycling do you do?

We’re living the car-free dream, so I commute and shop by bike and I cycle longer distances for fun at weekends. During lockdown I got into gravel/adventure cycling. Holidays are mainly spent cycle touring, so I’ve sampled cycling around Europe and Japan so far – I take cycling in Tokyo over Aberdeen any day! 

4) What type of cycle do you use?

I currently have five bikes: a hybrid; do-it-all steel x2, lighter road bike and the newest is an adventure bikepacking bike. Two I bought as framesets and put together myself. I’ll confess, I’m currently looking for number six… 

5) Where do you cycle usually/favourite routes, how often, etc.?

When you go cycling most weekends you quickly crave variety. I very much enjoy the feeling of remoteness you get when on gravel routes, a very different experience to riding on the road. 

6) What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

The list is too long for this profile. However, everyone should have a choice as to how they get about and not have to worry about their personal safety when doing so. Aberdeen has quite a bit of catching up to do to achieve this though. 

7) Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Don’t follow the traffic! There is usually a low traffic/less hilly alternative that makes Aberdeen far more pleasant than you might think. Aberdeen has amazing potential for being a cycling paradise… 

Spotlight on a cyclist: Franceso Sani

by Rachel M, posted in spotlight

This is the first post in what we hope will become a regular series highlighting the many different cyclists in Aberdeen. Many thanks to Francesco for volunteering to be first!

1) What is your name, where are you from and how long have you been in Aberdeen (if not local)?

Hi, I am Francesco (Fran-ches-ko) Sani and I have been in Aberdeen since 2009;


2) How did you get into cycling?

I have been cycling since I was a child in Rome – tricycle then bicycle – but I had a gap of about fifteen years until I got back into cycling on a trip to Canada in 2006; my sister and parents did not cycle, therefore it was my own love of two/three wheels that got me into it!


3) What kind of cycling do you do?

I do not have much free time therefore for the last few years I have got increasingly more commuter-/work-oriented;


4) What type of cycle do you use?

I use a Specialized Hardrock with a few mods of my own (handlebar riser, tailored seat, mudguards, direction indicators, mirror, etc.). I have always cycled with mountain bikes as I like attacking the road and all the potholes/bumps with a solid bike… usually a hardtail, with the option of off-roading as and when;


5) Where do you cycle usually/any favourite routes? How often?

You will usually spot me around the city centres of Aberdeen and Edinburgh with my signature soft-helmet, a green RibCap;


6) What would you like to see to improve your cycling experience?

Cycling in city centres – Rome, London, Edinburgh or Aberdeen – taught me that it is generally safe and you should not worry too much. I rarely get close passes from cars but they do happen to a lot of people and city centres generally have poor cycle-friendly       roads – interrupted cycle lanes or dangerous junctions – therefore I would like to see more done to encourage everyone, children included, cycling to get from A to B;


7) Any top tips for someone considering cycling in the area?

Cycle with someone else the first time, stay behind, and get to know the roads without feeling too scared.

This was taken at Christmas 2021 in Rome, next to the e-bike from Uber that I had just cycled on from my parents’ house into the city centre. Check the Valentino Rossi top 🙂