Meet our volunteers: Joanna Wilson, Pumped Up Crew micro volunteer

By Julie Rand
Joanna Wilson enjoys being a member of our Pumped Up Crew of micro volunteers
Cycling UK's Pumped Up Crew of micro volunteers help us spread the message about how wonderful cycling is. Joanna, who was a new cyclist, took up the role as she was looking for a reason to get out and about on her bike during and after lockdown. She tells us what she enjoys about supporting more people to cycle.

What is micro volunteering?

Micro volunteering suits people who don't have much time to commit but, like Joanna, want to help make the world better by bike.

Joanna says she commits an hour or so a week to undertaking Pumped Up Crew tasks, which are allocated to our approximately 500 volunteers via our volunteering platform.

The tasks usually just take a few minutes to complete and can involve simple actions such as:

  • helping spread the message about Cycling UK’s projects and programmes
  • sharing or liking Cycling UK’s social media posts
  • telling people about the local cycling provision in your area, for example, information on good cycle routes and groups
  • attending local events wearing a Pumped Up Crew T-shirt to promote cycling, for example at green fairs or cycle shows
  • spreading the message about the positive benefits of cycling and inviting people to go cycling with you where possible

Active travel can solve so many issues in terms of mental and physical health and help people with the cost of living crisis, as well as making a personal contribution to help the environment

Joanna Wilson, Cycling UK volunteer

Joanna says: "I like that I can dip in and out with no pressure to complete any task and that I am contributing to an issue that is really important to me. Active travel can solve so many issues in terms of mental and physical health and help people with the cost of living crisis, as well as making a personal contribution to help the environment."

She says that the social media links are useful to share, as well as the templates of letters for local councillors: "As a tax payer, I’m keen to ask my elected representatives where and when cycling provision will happen in my community."

Just do it!

Volunteering has helped Joanna gain enough confidence to apply for one of the first woman and non-binary mechanic traineeships in the UK and is now delighted to be working as a bicycle mechanic. She says: "I also love my commute by bike!"

Joanna says "Do it!" to someone else considering joining the Pumped Up Crew.

Get involved

We'd love for anybody who feels as passionate about cycling as Joanna does to become a micro volunteer with us completing simple tasks from home or using your phone when you're out and about. It just takes a few minutes to apply and we'll send you a Pumped Up Crew T-shirt in the colour and size of your choice (subject to availability) to wear on your next ride. 

Don't forget to let us know how volunteering has changed your life!

Meet our volunteers Campaigner and activist Volunteering for Cycling UK

Further reading