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John Simnett, WiZZBiKE in Brentford


Read our Q&A with John Simnett of WiZZBiKE in Brentford.

John says:

"A lifelong interest in the environment, personal knowledge of the effects of global warming and a passion for cycling, led to the formation of WiZZBiKE, which started trading in March 2007. WiZZBiKE undertakes services and cycle provision for major businesses, and includes a high street shop and repair centre and a non-profit business for special needs cycling. Major customers around Brentford and the Grand Union Canal, include GlaxoSmithKline and BSkyB. The aim of the business is to affect change in the way people travel, and to provide the means to enable this. Most people know us through our High Street cycle shop and repair centre in Brentford High Street and via the web. We also hire bikes in the Summer from the Toll House at Brentford Guaging Lock."

• Which 5 words best describe you?
Energetic, inspired, driven, sociable, compassionate (so they tell me. I’d be far harder on myself!).

• What one thing would you take with you to a desert island?
Absolutely nothing – I like travelling light.

• What’s the best thing about your job?
Creating something out of nothing. The special needs cycling side of the business is thrilling. You’ll find us by the gauging locks at Brentford.

• Is there any part of your job that you don’t enjoy?
Of course. But if I don’t admit it, it just might go away, mightn’t it!

• What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?
A man. (My son). Damn that Kipling and his “If”!
An adventurer and entrepreneur.
Grow up? What does that mean?.

• What is the last book you read/film you saw?
Book: 'Tom Corven' by Paul Story (it wasn’t, in fact, the last, but it was the most interesting).
Film: 'The Pianist' – yes, I cried.

• What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
"Do as you would be done by"; and from a Chinese family whom I tried to repay their amazing hospitality and help when down and roughing it, aged 20: "don’t repay a favour: pass it on."

• What makes you smile?
Life! The great outdoors, seeing other people smile, the kingfisher flying past my houseboat each day.

• Where would you most like to be right now?
Right here. Anywhere else is impossible, however desirable.

• Tell us a joke.
No. I’d mess it up by telling the punch-line first and forgetting the all-important context. Dyslexia is wonderfully creative, but it can’t tell jokes. The joke is on me, and I don’t mind.

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Last updated: 18/02/2009