Getting Back on the Bike: 5 Minutes with Rachel Thomas of Brake Bike

As soon as the weather gets warmer I want to go for a bike ride - but I'm a bit too hesitant to cycle in London.   I thought I'd ask Rachel Thomas of Brake Bikes for her advice.How do I get started?The important thing is off course is to have a bike, (a brake bike would be a great start). If you already have a bike that has been in the shed over the winter ..... get it serviced and checked out by a bike mechanic in your local bike shop. Buying a bike can be intimidating, so at Brake Bike we like to keep things simple.What are you top five tips for getting started for the novice cyclist?Firstly would be to smile and enjoy the freedom a bike gives you. Think of your bike as a friend, then to be aware, we live in a city so cars, buses, pedestrians and other cyclist may not be you friend, so at all times be aware and confident. Confidence is key: always look drivers in the eyes just to make sure they have seen you, and that you have a presence on the road. If going on the road is a big fear then practise in the local park, and pretend you are on a road and practise to slow down and speed up as if there are cars and buses. Get to feel confident on your bike.Favourite places to cycle?I am a bit of a speed freak, so I actually like going uphill (yes, on a single speed)  the joy I feel when I am at the top ... It  is like a kid in a candy shop ... I'm not recommending this, it's just my fav thing to do. A great place we are blessed with in London is the river Thames miles and miles of flat, traffic free cycle paths. You can do a three mile trip and stop off for a pub lunch or do 20 plus miles, and just jump on the train back home more or less in any direction. Cycling is a great way to get fit and it's a load bearing exercise so less injuries.What do wear when cycling?When I am commuting or just getting around town I wear anything from jeans and trainers or for the more formal meetings a dress and heels. (I cycled to 10 downing street for a meeting in a dress and heels... it was pretty funny). I will always have a high vis vest on the back, or I will also wear a high viz jacket if the commute is on busier roads. The convenient thing is that they scrunch up to the size of an apple so easy to pop in my bag, I will automatically wear bright or light clothes too. NOT BLACK. It is so important to be seen on the road.How do you choose a helmet and should you wear one?YESSSSSS on the very occasional times I have ran out the house and forgotten my helmet I do feel a bit of a wally and very self-conscious. And will resort to riding on the pavement. I got shouted at once for doing so I shouted back but you don’t understand I haven’t got a helmet on! As long at the helmets are British Safety licensed any will be good, I wear a skateboard / BMX one.What bike lock do you recommend?Bike theft.... It's such a shame that we have to be endlessly worried about our bikes. Sadly, I am not yet aware off a 100% theft proof lock however, there are recommendations too lower the risk. Always lock the bike in a well light public place. The best locks are thick chains from your local locksmith, as they cannot be cut as easily.  Obviously never leave a bike unlocked, and always secure to a permanent structure, two D locks, one  through the front wheel and frame onto a permanent fixing, and the same for the back wheel. The harder it is and time wise for a thief they will move on.Rachel founded Brake Bikes while living in LA and then brought them home to London. The colourful urban bikes can be bought on-line and are limited to less than 100 in each colour combination and numbered.