Becoming a better bicyclist (and B Corp)
Samantha Symonds | People | 6th April 2021
Do you remember the first time you thought of yourself as a proper cyclist? My hybrid Claud Butler and I went for our first proper service last month. I was wary of the cost but between lockdowns and the sleet and sun of British springtime, I'd put my ‘casual’ road bike through a lot; with forty-mile countryside rides, cross-winds and punctures becoming regulars of the new normal.
Cycling up a particularly gravity-laden hill with an ever-growing tailback at my heels, I thought of the article I wanted to write for Bikmo:
10 things I wish I’d known as a baby bicyclist
Baskets seem really practical but wind resistance and panniers exist.
Being on two-wheels makes you practically invisible to some car drivers.
Protect your ankles and shins (at all costs) after switching from plastic to metal pedals.
Skip the headphones; nature sounds great and so does knowing a vehicle is approaching.
Flying bugs are magnetised to your eyes, nose and mouth.
Take more water.
Bring a backpack because tote bags on your shoulder/handlebars become a curse on long rides where you get too excited at the local farm shop.
Always pack the emergency puncture kit. Always.
Forgetting to pump your tyres before a ride makes for really strong (and tired) legs.
You will remember you forgot to turn off your bike lights exactly when you get into bed.
Getting good
Two weeks ago, Bikmo released the first Impact Report after a first full year as a certified B Corp. It reminded me of my early days as a cyclist—filled with good intentions and big dreams but not yet fully equipped with the hands-on experience for a completely smooth ride (though pretty close!)
Bikmo has always had a transparent, open policy, even before B Corp certification, so while insurance may not have been my childhood dream, it wasn’t the original priority for Bikmo either.
With a background in charities and nonprofits, as well as outdoors and adventure sports, I was pleased to find Bikmo’s goals align with what I want to achieve professionally and personally:
Protect
Customers who trust their bikes, kit and their lives with Bikmo, and through carbon neutral objectives.
Enable
Customers to ride and enjoy the outdoors more, and actively support local communities by working with independent retailers, investing and enabling them to stay in business and provide crucial services.
Inspire
Anyone to ride more and appreciate the outdoors, partnering with and supporting organisations like 1% for the Planet as well as the Bikmo team, customers and partners.
There’s another goal though, that I think both Bikmo and I are going to benefit from:
Improve
Bikmo’s achievements since starting in 2011 and becoming a B Corp impressed me enough to want to work with them (despite my newborn bike skills) and honestly I wish more insurers, outdoor brands and organisations would take note!
Which is why it's great that founder Dave is now a B Corp CEO Ambassador, but also why in my new role as Copywriter and Editor, I plan to hold them accountable—to build on these successes so we can grow to be the best we can, together, and set the right example for the rest of the industry to follow suit.
Despite a near 50/50 gender split in the team, reflective of other areas of cycling and insurance, Bikmo admits to not yet achieving ethnic or racial diversity, equity or inclusion.
It can be a challenge to be ‘the first’ and ‘the only’. The outdoor industry has a historic reputation for not being inclusive, explaining partly why after decades of riding a bike, I’ve only recently started to feel comfortable calling myself a cyclist.
The more I learn about this B Corp though, I don’t think it will be an uphill struggle with Bikmo.
