When Chris Armstrong, of Villa Grove, Bingley, got on his bike to become fitter and lose some weight he had no idea it would lead to a new career as a cycling and mountain biking instructor. As well as losing three stones in weight, he enjoyed cycling so
much that he set up an after-school club, showing children how to ride their bikes properly on today's busy roads. This proved so successful that he qualified as an instructor for the national Bikeability scheme, which replaced the cycling proficiency
scheme.

Chris now runs his own business, Becycling, which he launched almost a year ago with support from Bradford Council's Kickstart enterprise programme. ‘I didn't start cycling until I was 40 but, at the age of 47, turned my hobby into a way of making a living.
I am doing want I want and the business is building very well,' he says. He moved from Cumbria to Bradford in the mid-eighties to study economics and politics at the University's renowned Peace Studies department. After graduating he spent 20 years with Bradford Council, working in social services and housing. Giving up his job in information technology was ‘a massive decision, one of the biggest of my life.' But with the support of his wife Sarah he took the plunge and has never regretted becoming his own boss.

Chris now visits schools across the District, teaching children aged six and seven how to ride their bikes safely and instructing older  children in more advanced road skills. ‘It's fantastic - I get a real buzz out of seeing children and adults improve their riding ability
and it is rewarding to know I am helping them use the roads safely. Expanded his business by buying five mountain bikes, he now provides training for both adults and children in the skills of mountain bike riding. ‘More people are taking up cycling, not
just to improve their health and fitness but also to save money by riding their bike to and from work. Cycling is very good for you.'

Chris received a lot of support from David Humphreys, the Shipley - based BizFizz coach. Bizfizz locally managed by Airedale Enterprise Services, takes the Bradford Kickstart programme out into communities. ‘David was very helpful, not only with my
business planning but also by introducing me to people who could support my business development.'

Becycling: 07960 - 734 965; info@becycling.co.uk

Read Chris' case study here.