For many, a bike is just a way to get from A to B. For Alison Insley, a Cycle Instructor based in Warwickshire, it’s a gateway to freedom, mental clarity, and family transformation.
At 55, Alison has lived many lives: she’s been a firefighter, a squash coach, a library officer, and is currently the Deputy Mayor of Kenilworth. But since May 2022, she has found a new calling—sharing the joy of two wheels with her community.
Rob King sat down with Alison to talk about her journey and why she’s so passionate about getting people on bikes.
A Journey of Resilience and Fresh Air
Alison’s path to becoming an instructor wasn’t linear. After years as a firefighter, an arm injury forced a change of pace. “I had to hand in my notice as I needed my strength back,” she explains. After a stint in performance support for local libraries, the isolation of post-Covid working life didn’t sit right. “I didn’t want to work from home; I love people!”
The shift to cycling was personal. After being knocked off her bike in 2021, she used cycling to reclaim her own health. Now, she’s out the door between 4:00 am and 6:00 am most mornings.
“It’s about the unique moments—watching the sunrise or seeing a fox run through the morning mist. I wanted to share that independence with others.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Skills
As an Asian woman born in Coventry, Alison’s childhood didn’t include cycling. “My Dad was very traditional; we weren’t really allowed to cycle,” she shares. It wasn’t until her husband bought her a bike at age 19 that her world opened up.
This background makes her uniquely empathetic, especially when teaching those who feel they’ve “missed the boat.” Whether she’s teaching a 4-year-old or a 75-year-old, Alison brings over two decades of coaching experience (including Level 3 squash coaching) to the tarmac.
The “15-Minute” Miracle
When asked about her best moment in the role, Alison recalls a specific 1:1 session with a 10-year-old boy who wanted to join his friends for Bikeability at school.
“I got him going within 15 minutes,” she says. “His mum was amazed—they’d been trying for years.” The impact didn’t stop there. Because of that one session, the whole family booked their first-ever cycling holiday.
“Alison was amazing; she had E cycling within the first 15 minutes! Her style was so efficient—once he mastered something, she moved him right onto the next challenge. Because I watched her technique, I was able to teach his younger sister to ride from scratch within weeks!”
Why Book a Course with Alison?
For Alison, teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a way to serve the community she loves. Between her duties as Deputy Mayor (and soon-to-be Mayor of Kenilworth!), she remains dedicated to building confidence in every rider she meets.
“Life is short,” Alison says. “I love sharing that progress—giving someone the confidence to ride and watching their whole future change.”