Dumfries nurse finds new three-wheeled way to get between visits
The health worker says she's never felt more connected to her community
Last updated 11th Sep 2023
A specialised nurse from Dumfries has found a new way to get around town.
Health Visitor Amanda Johnstone is now pedalling between home visits on an electric e-trike.
Based at The Willows at the Crichton Estate, the environmentally conscious nurse has been pedalling to the office for around a year, but it was only recently that she began travelling by bike between home visits.
Amanda says she was given the confidence to take her trike through the heart of town by the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships which took place in Dumfries, inspired by the athletes taking part, and by a need to find alternative travel arrangements due to extensive road closures.
She said: "For the past year, I have occasionally used my Jorvik Jet E 2 to come into the office or attend meetings.
"But it was the UCI cycling championships that really gave me the confidence to use it to do my job.
"I thought I would see if I could get to all my visits in a reasonable time and I was surprised at how achievable it was."
Impressed by the efficiency of pedal power, Amanda does try to schedule her visits in the same part of Dumfries where possible, and gives advance notice to families that she's on her bike in case of any adverse weather.
A greener, fitter solution
She says there have been plenty benefits: "What I've found is that I am clocking up less miles than if I was using the car as I'm taking direct routes rather than avoiding the town centre and using the bypass.
"There are some visits I won't be able to do on my trike. I don't think anyone would thank me for slowing traffic down on the A75 when I'm off to visit my families outside the town.”
Amanda says she’s been taken aback by the positive reception to her new favoured mode of transport.
Between improved health, fitness, and mental wellbeing, Amanda says she feels more present and more connected with her community.
She says anyone considering cycling to work should give it a go, and that it doesn’t need to be done everyday to feel the benefits.
Amanda does however reference one drawback – a lack of solution for helmet hair.