After noticing that very few people in Toxteth cycled, despite the benefits for people’s health and wellbeing and for the environment, Ibe Hayter decided to start a project to break down the barriers to cycling. Cycle of Life aims to create a cycling culture in communities where it was never seen as a viable option.

“When I was young, my father used to take us on cycling trips. But as I got older, I fell out of love with cycling. When I had my own children, I wanted to re-create those fond memories, but when I took the kids cycling, they weren’t really down with it. They wanted to stop because they were getting laughed at in school. I realised that no one in our area cycled.

“I set up Cycle of Life to create a culture of cycling and make it accessible to everyone. Cycling can be a force for good.”

A study of nearly 2,000 urban residents over time found that those who switch just one trip per day from car-driving to cycling reduced their carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over a year. With transport making up such a huge part of the UK’s emissions, cycling is a crucial solution to the climate challenge.

“I want to be part of the change, because before I was part of the problem myself. It's been a massive learning curve for me. And it’s made me take more responsibility for my actions and be kind of like a role model."