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A quote about cycling in London.

Real Lives. Real Cyclists: Helen Upton

 

As part of Cycle SOS’s new initiative to encourage road users to consider cyclists as real people, with real stories, we’re speaking to everyday cyclists to hear their own experiences of life on the road.

This week we spoke to Helen Upton, a speech therapist, Putney resident, and mother of two.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’ve worked as a speech therapist in London for the past fifteen years, and currently live in Putney with my husband, two children, and Labrador, Charlie.

How long have you been cycling for?

I’ve been using a bike to get around London for the past six years after owning and running a second car in London became too expensive, and inconvenient.

How long is your commute?

It depends on my day: my patients are dotted around London, and some are even further afield. I often find myself cycling twenty-to-thirty minutes between appointments, sometimes cycling up to two hours a day.

And what were your general experiences of cycling and commuting?

Fantastic! It’s tempting to catastrophize cycling in London, to say that it’s dangerous, or that road users are all demons. This isn’t true. It’s an incredibly liberating activity, and I love the independence it gives me, and the exercise too.

Yes, I’ve found myself on the receiving end of some abuse from one or two drivers, and, occasionally another cyclist but generally I find it a safe activity.

Would you let your children cycle in London?

 Not yet! They’re only 8 and 10, but one day I hope they’ll be able to get around on their bikes too. I will, however, make sure they receive some basic safety training.

What do you wish other road users would consider about cyclists?

Put simply, I’m a mum. One of the reasons I wanted to speak to Cycle SOS about this initiative was that I loved the idea of giving cyclists real personalities! I’ve always said that if other road users saw me as a mum who, at the end of the day, just wants to go home and see her beautiful children (and husband!) they might think a little differently about overtaking suddenly, not using mirrors, or even hurling abuse at me.

It’s so tempting to see all cyclists as aggressive, and rushing round, jumping red lights. But they’re not. We’re not! Almost everyone I know cycles, at least occasionally, if not every day. And most of the time, it’s because it’s cheaper, healthier and more convenient than driving or taking public transport. Not because they’re training for the Tour de France!

We’d like to thank Helen for taking the time to be interviewed for Real Lives. Real Cyclists. If you would be interested in appearing, or have a story to share, please get in touch with us on our Facebook page, through Twitter or by emailing cycling@timeinc.com

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.