Jason McAleese

Position: Active Travel Ambassador Coordinator (North Yorkshire, East Riding and York)

Year joined Modeshift: June 2022

Career history:

I’m a late starter in the Active Travel sector. Originally working in the print industry amassing 25 years’ service at Pindar in Scarborough before the company’s demise. Towards the end of my time there, I was getting ready for a change and initially trained as a Bikeability instructor later adding Balanceability and various British Cycling qualifications.

Earlier this year, together with four likeminded people we formed a small community interest company which aims to encourage cycling in the community, starting with exposing all local children to cycling as a life skill.

Why did you join Team Modeshift?

It just seemed a great fit with how I wanted the next chapter of my working life to form. I was desperate to do something which I deemed worthwhile, which gave me a sense of satisfaction and most importantly made me smile. This role ticks all those boxes and to be part of this exciting journey is a real privilege.

Outside of Modeshift:

Sport has played a massive part in my life, unfortunately I’ve retired from most of it now, but I still love to cycle, and this role has really renewed my love of just getting out on a bike. My son and I are season ticket holders at Scarborough Athletic FC, and I love going to the games with him as it evokes memories of going to games with my dad. He also supports Man Utd and while I do not love that as much, being a Spurs fan, it is still something we enjoy occasionally.

The rest of my spare time is spent walking our dog Rosie, she’s a rescue from Bulgaria and after a couple of years of not having a dog we honestly do not know what we would do without her. A highlight for us this summer was going to meet one of her pups who she was rescued with.

My colleagues at Modeshift will probably say I’m a foodie, I’m not so sure about that but I do love to eat!! And a bad coffee really disappoints me!!