Meet the riders: Ben Hardy, SLR

Ben Hardy is a Senior Transport Planner at SLR, a global consultancy that helps organisations deliver practical sustainability solutions. This is his second Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM and his wise words for new riders: enjoy it, it's what all the training is for!

Tell us about yourself and what you’re working on right now:

I’m a Senior Transport Planner based in the London office. I am currently working on a large strategic residential site in Kent along with a number of small/medium size residential developments across London. I am also working on a number of industrial/warehousing schemes for clients including Amazon. 

How did you get involved in Cycle to MIPIM? 

Since joining SLR it was always something discussed by others in the office and so when I had the opportunity to ride last year I took it with both hands. I’m excited to get back on the ride this year!

How long have you been cycling and how did you get into it?

I have cycled for a long time now, originally getting into it during the school summer holidays watching the Tour de France on TV. 

What have you most enjoyed about riding Cycle to MIPIM previously? 

The camaraderie last year was brilliant, everyone working together and supporting one another, both during the ride but also in the weeks leading up to it.

What are you most looking forward to?

Meeting new people, the Alps and Cannes.

What are you dreading? 

Bad weather and early mornings.

How are you approaching training? 

I’m doing what I can at the weekend, subject to the weather and trying to get some miles in during the week if I can. I have also been doing some MIPIM training rides including the Devil’s Punchbowl ride which took place in early February.

Any top tips for new riders?

Try and relax on the bike and in the peloton, make the most of the physios if you have time between stages, oh and most importantly: Enjoy the ride, this is what all the training was for! 

What would you most like to get out of the event? 

Meeting new people and catching up with those that rode last year.

What does the fundraising mean to you? 

Knowing that our cycling will contribute to meaningful charities doing incredible work and changing lives is a huge motivation. Learning more about the impact of each cause over the last year or so has also made the journey even more meaningful, and Cyclists Fighting Cancer being particularly close to home has given my winter training real purpose.

What changes does your business expect to see over the next year? 

Over recent years we have seen an increase in both work in the renewables sector and in the delivery of data centres which we expect to continue in the coming years. With the governments push for more homes we are also seeing new opportunities in strategic residential and mixed-use developments. The approach to such developments is also evolving with the focus now on vision led planning, for which SLR have developed a new first of its kind tool to inform masterplanning and better forecast transport impacts.

You can sponsor Ben here.