Community grants scheme

Transcription

1 Cycle London Community grants scheme

2 Community Cycling Fund for London Working in partnership The Community Cycling Fund for London (CCFL) is a grant scheme funded by Transport for London with some match funding from the Big Lottery s Active Travel Consortium. The London Cycling Campaign has administered CCFL since The purpose of the fund is to support community groups and grassroots organisations to deliver projects which enable people from London s diverse communities to experience the benefits of cycling. Preface The Community Cycling Fund for London supports grassroots and community groups to launch their own cycling initiatives. Every year, the CCFL distributes grants of up to 5,000, and in 2010 a limited number of 10,000 grants, to around fifty projects across London. By providing seed funding, individuals within a community are enabled to work with participants in addressing specific needs. Projects funded to date include accessible transport for low income groups, support for families to cycle with young children, cycling in nurseries, primary and secondary schools, including some special needs schools, and projects targeted at getting participants back into employment. To find out more about the CCFL please visit or contact the community cycling team on

3 Contents Mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse recovery Community cycling All inclusive cycling Tots and families Cycling youth Biking schools 3

4 INTRODUCTION The CCFL helps local groups to promote and encourage cycling within their communities. By enabling a key player within a community to deliver a cycling project, it is possible to introduce cycling to a wide variety of different groups, from schools and nurseries to special needs and mental health. Although the CCFL funds a wide range of projects, they all work to promote cycling, challenge current attitudes to transport, health and the public realm, to create safe and liveable neighbourhoods. Outputs 2010 This section provides an overview of what has been achieved in 2010: Number of applications to the CCFL in 2010: Applications received 113 Successful bids 47 Overall number of participants taking part in projects funded in 2010: 4,773 CCFL s achievements in 2010: 1,433 participants took part in cycling sessions 1,631 participants received basic and/or intermediate bike maintenance training 61 Dr Bikes were organised and 784 bikes checked and adjusted Outcomes 2010 The CCFL works with projects across London to create greater social cohesion, happier and healthier communities, and to decrease car dependency. In 2010, 72% of project participants learned to cycle more confidently and safely in traffic. 84% discovered that cycling can be the fastest way of getting to a destination in London. Another 84% would now recommend cycling as a method of transport to their family and friends. Before the funding period, 63% of project participants cycled less than once a fortnight. By the end of 2010, 72% of participants cycled more than once a fortnight. 51% of these additional journeys made by bicycle replace journeys previously made by car or bus. 1,619 participants attended Bike Week events, bike awareness days, and community events 540 project participants cycled to the Skyride 22 cycling instructors and 9 City & Guilds accredited bike mechanics were trained to enable projects to take these skills in-house. 1 A sample of 291 project participants were surveyed. 4

5 Mental health, homelessness & substance abuse recovery Broadway Build-a-Bike, Hammersmith and Fulham Broadway support homeless and vulnerable people many of whom cannot afford public transport. This limits their educational and employment opportunities, access to essential appointments and fosters further social isolation. To this end, Broadway organised four drop-in maintenance sessions to launch the project, followed by a a Build-a- Bike course where participants worked on a donated bike which they kept on completion of the course. Broadway set up a skills exchange where participants exchange their newly acquired maintenance knowledge for other services such as hairdressing. Tony has cycled in the past but used to be nervous about travelling to the Broadway Centre. He now uses his new old bike to commute to college. Tony did so well in the build-a-bike course that he was offered a voluntary position with Bikeworks who delivered the course. Tony is ecstatic, It s been good. Really good! Carr-Gomm Oakdale Road Bike Project, Lambeth Oakdale Road is a supported housing project that enables single vulnerable adults to live independently in the community. Most of the residents have mental health needs. Carr-Gomm applied for a very small grant to purchase one bike and a storage unit for it. The bike is available for use by the residents provided they sign up for cycle training with the local council. Access to a bike gives residents an independent means of transport, increasing their travel range and helping them access services and facilities. I m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to ride a bike, something I thought I would never be able to do again, Resident and project participant. 5

6 Centrepoint Build-a-Bike, Southwark This project in Camberwell offers young homeless people support with accommodation, access to learning, healthcare and other services. The Build-a-Bike project is designed to provide year olds with the opportunity to learn maintenance skills by repairing a donated bike which they can keep at the end of the course. This provides them with a vital means of affordable transport, as well as teaching them useful bike maintenance skills. Once the bikes have been fully repaired, the participants receive cycle training. In 2010, Centrepoint organised two rides as well as accompanying two of the young people to the London Skyride in September. The project is making a real difference to participants ability to get to job interviews, access education, and other services. It also has a profound impact on the way individuals interact with one another and Centrepoint staff, leading to increased confidence and communication. Before the Build-a-Bike project, Sam did not engage with any other young people and very few Centrepoint staff. But his social worker explains, working with the bikes really made him feel at ease, the transformation was fantastic. Sam has since gone on to volunteer with Bikeworks in Tower Hamlets. Kingston Eco-op Bike Refurbishment Based in New Malden, this project is a spin off from an already successful community furniture recycling project, and run by and for adults with a range of mental health, social, and personal wellbeing issues. It provides inclusive social support and guidance for all participants. The cycling aspect developed from the parent project as more and more unwanted bikes were donated and the project leaders realised that if rejuvenated, these donations could not only form a useful employment opportunity for the client group, but also a viable means of personal transport for them. Cycle training was required to encourage people to cycle. Working initially with an experienced cycle instructor who was also a project volunteer, a programme of local led rides was developed. One participant took part in the Mayor s Skyride. Cycling to and from it was the longest distance she had ever ridden. Another project attendee is now training as a cycle instructor and will be helping on rides in the future. 6

7 Community Cycling Bromley Bike Blast and Cycle-a-Mile Club Bromley Cycling Campaign In spring 2010, Bromley Cyclists launched their Cyclea-Mile project with fun rides in a local park aimed at beginner, infrequent and lapsed cyclists who wanted to build their confidence. The group originally planned monthly rides but demand was so great the rides soon became a weekly event. Every week, the riders cycled a mile further than the previous week. Preparing the new cyclists in this way, the Bromley Cycle-a-Mile club was able to cycle with two hundred and fifty participants to the Skyride in September During Bike Week, the Bromley Cyclists in conjunction with Bromley Council organised the Bromley Bike Blast a cycling extravaganza to celebrate all things bike and to get local residents excited about cycling. I have gone from using the car seven days a week to no more than one day a week. I have bought a new bike and have gained so much more confidence that I have no hesitation in undertaking most rides. I regularly cycle into central London and feel that none of this could have been achieved without the help and enthusiasm of such a great bunch of people, Eve Evans. The Bike Blast included bike MOTs, cycling skills tests and grass track racing, bike parades showcasing a range of bikes including family cargo bikes and specially adapted bicycles, roller racing, a de-stabilising session for the little ones, and plenty of stalls offering information and advice. The project is bringing about a real modal shift with project participants cycling more regularly and using their cars less. As a next step, the Bromley Cyclists plan to organise Bike Buses to support parents to cycle to school with their children. Tower Hamlets Cycling Club The family-run Tower Hamlets Cycling Club has launched in 2008 as part of the Tower Hamlets Sports Development initiatives for the London Youth Games. Since then, the club has secured funding to extend their offer to cycling for adults and for those with special needs. Located on the south border of Victoria Park, the club runs sessions for beginners off road but also provides cycle training for those who need to build on their confidence levels. By providing a safe teaching environment, participants can learn cycling skills at their own pace before starting to use a bicycle for short trips and commuting in traffic. Although open to everyone, the club mostly works with trainees from the surrounding area and focuses particularly on women and the local Muslim community. 7

8 Newham Woodcraft Folk The five Es Safe & Sound cycle project run by the Newham Woodcraft Folk is based on five principles: protect the environment; exercise is good for you; cycling is efficient; cycling has economic benefits; and cycling is enjoyable. With funding from the CCFL, the group now runs a complete cycling programme not only for members of the Woodcraft Folk but also for the wider community. Offering everything from cycle training, to bike maintenance, and events, the Woodcraft Folk cater for all tastes and needs. With equipment, including three trailers, tools and having trained their own bike mechanics and cycle instructors, the group is now beginning to teach other community members the same skills and so increase the cycling resources across the community. In this way, the Woodcraft Folk are hoping to continue to support their local community to get cycling for years to come. Bike Start at Hackney City Farm Bike Start was conceived to get regular bus commuters to ride into work on a bike instead. Hackney City Farm is located at the intersection of a cycle path and a busy bus route which makes it the ideal location to recruit new commuter cyclists. Bike Start participant Napthali Williams is enthusiastic about the programme: It s cheap and healthy for me to cycle to college it s a 45 minute ride. I used to take two buses full of grouchy people to get there. The project offers participants the hire of a bike for the same price as their normal daily bus fare. During the first three months of cycle commuting, Bike Start supports the new cyclists with cycle training and a bike buddy. After this initial period, the recruits receive their bike hire fee back in the form of a bike shop voucher. This system effectively offers participants free transport while introducing them to a new sustainable way of getting around London. Little Manor Bike Project Aston Mansfield, Newham Aston Mansfield is a charity tackling poverty, deprivation, and inequalities in East London. A play-scheme for primary school aged children is available at their community centre in Little Manor, Newham. As part of this scheme the charity now offers cycle training and rides for the youngsters. I love riding the bikes. They are a bit tricky at the beginning but you learn. I am so happy that we were lucky enough to get the bikes, Andrea, aged nine. Weekly cycle training sessions are run with two different groups: One for complete beginners and one for those with previous cycling experience. Led rides are organised for those confident enough to cycle on the roads. The charity has trained its own instructors and can therefore keep providing cycling sessions into the future. In September 2010, two staff members and nine kids joined the led ride from Stratford to the Mayor of London s Skyride. 8

9 Ealing Bike Hub Ealing Cycling Campaign has been promoting cycling in the borough for years. Having run many Dr Bikes at local events, they realised there was a real demand for maintenance workshops and access to tools. Seven of the project s regular volunteers already in possession of good maintenance skills were trained to teach bike maintenance. They can now run regular structured workshops and drop-in sessions. I feel truly empowered now about fixing simple things on my bike, project participant. The twelve basic maintenance classes run in 2010 were incredibly well attended and are now self-financing and sustainable. Ealing Cycling Campaign works with a supply of reclaimed bikes from the local police which are used for training and parts, and where possible are restored to a roadworthy condition. The Bike Hub has thus been able to create a stock of affordable second hand bikes for sale. The Ealing Cycling Campaign also works with local estates to increase the impact of the project. As a result of the workshop sessions, attendees feel much more confident carrying out minor repairs and adjustments. Tower Hamlets Cycling Club 9

10 Sanford Community Cycling Project Lewisham The Sanford Housing Co-operative in South East London is part of a national carbon reduction scheme. Alongside other environmental measures such as using recycled wood-pellet boilers, solar heating and the construction of a bike shed from recycled railway sleepers, Sanford wanted to promote cycling as the primary mode of transport for residents. An unfinished outbuilding full of junk was cleaned out, the leaking roof was repaired, power and lighting were installed and it now operates as the cycle workshop and store. The cycling project provides training, tools and support to ensure every co-operative member When I started the course I was a complete beginner. I knew nothing about bike mechanics or tools. The experience was invaluable. Now I have no excuse for a rusty looking bike chained up in the garden. Anna, Sanford co-operative member. has access to a bike and the skills to ride safely in central London. All Bout Bikes EcoActif, Sutton EcoActif Services is a Community Interest Company offering practical help and support for economically inactive people. Their All Bout Bikes project works with a range of people on health and fitness, independent travel and social interaction through cycling. EcoActif teamed up with the local police to fix derelict bikes which they then offer to those needing a reliable means of transport. Several of the group successfully trained as National Standards cycle instructors and are now teaching other project participants road safety and general cycling skills. Participants also received maintenance training and now service the project s fleet of new bikes used regularly for led family rides and activity days throughout the spring and summer. The rides all encourage participants to develop their personal fitness and wellbeing, and to incorporate cycling into their daily lives. Some of the co-op members were trained in cycle maintenance to intermediate level and one of them completed the City and Guilds Accreditation. To further support their cycling initiative, the Co-op created a new cycle officer role to oversee the co-ordination of the project. The project holds weekly drop-in maintenance sessions and residents can sign up for cycle training with accredited in-house instructors. At this stage, the workshops are open to Sanford members but future plans include outreach to the local community and opening up the project to more participants and a wider demographic. 10

11 All inclusive cycling Les Velos de Notre Dame Notre Dame Refugee Centre (NDRC), Westminster NDRC provides support and advice to Francophone asylum seekers and refugees, many of whom are vulnerable or socially excluded due to mental health problems, family separation, and high levels of deprivation. NDRC runs a project that helps participants integrate into London life by Thank you so much for what you have given me. Before, cycling for me was a leisure activity, not something to take seriously. Now I know how to cycle properly, and it makes me more professional, Wilson Pacific. giving them access to an affordable means of transport. The project launched with a six-week build-a-bike course. Participants worked on a donated bike that they restored to a roadworthy condition and got to keep at the end of the course. The participants gained valuable maintenance skills and also received cycle training on their newly restored bike to get them used to riding on London roads. OSCA Cycling Club, Tower Hamlets The Ocean Somali Community Association (OSCA) provides services for local residents, in particular for the Somali community living in the borough of Tower Hamlets. CCFL funding allowed the association to extend their sports activities to include cycle training for both children and adults. While delivering workshops to raise awareness and increase interest in cycling, the group also targets women cyclists. Isolated from the mainstream and often with no previous experience of cycling, the Somali women in the community are given the chance to try out cycling and discover a new means of travel. The cycling club has been working in association with Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham who have received CCFL funding in previous years to share instructors and equipment. One trainee enrolled to do a City and Guilds course in cycle mechanics and now teaches his skills to NDRC clients and staff. The project has purchased two pool bikes which are kept at the centre and available for clients and staff to use and get about. 11

12 Berner Community Wheels, Hackney In order to promote cycling on Berner Estate, the Tenants Association provides equipment, cycle training and led rides to enable people on low incomes to experience the health, cost and transport benefits of cycling. Many residents have limited space, so creating a bike pool and setting up a hire scheme has eliminated one of the main barriers to cycling lack of storage. The project launched at the annual community fun day and cycle workshops and demonstrations were used to promote the project. The project particularly targets women and girls and also older people but is open to all members of the local community. Berner Estate has linked up with a local GP practice to promote the scheme. Get on your Bike 2010 with Norwood, Barnet, Harrow and Redbridge Norwood is a charity for adults with learning difficulties and associated physical disabilities. Operating across Redbridge, Barnet and Harrow, the charity has been offering cycling opportunities for two years running with the help of the CCFL. Michelle Smith, project leader, says the most important things she has learnt are: Have fun, always plan ahead, prepare for the unexpected, and never underestimate someone s ability and enthusiasm to cycle. Thank you for organising the cycle hire scheme. I am a local shop owner, and I have used your cycle hire scheme to travel to work on a number of occasions, Mr M Rahman. The charity has an array of specially adapted bikes available ensuring that there is one for every need. Norwood takes these bikes on road shows to give as many people as possible the chance to discover that they can ride with the right kind of bike. In addition, they have run an awareness day to further promote cycling for those with learning disabilities to other service users but also parents and carers. Cycling in a safe and supervised environment has given service users the chance to experience the freedom and independence that comes with riding a bike while improving balance and motor skills. 12

13 Tots and families Parkwood Primary School, Islington Parents at Parkwood Primary School were keen to get some cycle training to be able to keep up with their kids which prompted the school s Bike It Officer to apply to the CCFL. Nursen, the lead cycling instructor, was impressed: The parents who joined our project never owned or even sat on a bicycle before. These parents came to the training with huge enthusiasm to learn to ride a bike and didn t let their fears get in the way. They are really determined to learn and worked so hard to get where they are now with their cycling skills. Wentworth Nursery School, Hackney Wentworth nursery introduces kids to cycling at a very early age. The nursery offers trikes, like-a-bikes (small wooden bikes without pedals) and two-wheeled bicycles for them to have a go on. With support from staff, the children can access the bicycles at least twice a week. The nursery is situated just north of Victoria Park so those children who are competent enough on their bikes are taken on rides in the park in small groups of four. In 2010, the nursery also launched an initiative to get staff cycling. During the summer staff attended cycle training and the nursery purchased one adult bike which is used as a pool bike. This has proved so popular they are now considering getting a second adult bike. With experienced cycle instructors on hand, the school was able to source second-hand bikes from local suppliers and bike recycling centres at a bargain price. With trainers and bikes in place, the school now runs after school cycle training sessions for parents. Families in the area are from diverse ethnic and often lower income backgrounds. For many of the trainees, the school s training sessions are the first chance they have had to get on a bike. To complete the cycle training, basic bike maintenance workshops are on offer so trainees can feel confident looking after their own and their children s bikes. For those ready to cycle independently, a family cycle course is available where the whole family can learn how to ride together safely. 13

14 Removing Barriers to Cycling Cycle Training East, Havering Working with children living in Havering, one of London s outer boroughs, Cycle Training East (CTE) concluded that many children who receive Bikeability training at primary school stop cycling when they transfer to secondary education. This is sometimes the result of peer pressure, cycling is not always seen as cool, longer distances between home and school compared to inner London, and/or parental perception of danger. The CTE project encourages youngsters to keep riding by supporting them to develop riding skills, better personal road safety, and to find suitable safe routes between locations. CTE also provides training for those children who missed or failed their Bikeability training. The project is open to adults as well as children. This gives adults, especially family members, carers and school staff, the chance to improve their riding skills and cycle with the kids. Pedal Pushers Lewisham Young Women s Resource Project Based in Catford, the Lewisham Young Women s Resource Project (LYWRP) works with women aged between 18-24, helping them to develop economically and socially. Many of the young women have become isolated for a variety of reasons, and look to LYWRP for guidance. Their Pedal Pushers cycling project evolved from a client based idea of a fun way to bring individuals together and establish a common bond and pastime. Working with brand new as well as abandoned bikes provided by the police, the women learn how to keep a bike in roadworthy condition, how to ride safely, and how to plan routes between places. Participants now use what they have learned to arrange group outings on bikes, picnics and smaller group rides. Their general fitness and local knowledge has improved as a result and many new friendships have been formed. 14

15 Cycling youth Oasis Children s Venture Bike Out, Lambeth The adventure playground in Stockwell already has a bike track and bikes that children can use but they wanted to go further to promote cycling. With the CCFL grant they are replacing mini bus trips with bike rides during off-site excursions. The kids had a great time one eight year old explains: I like cycling because it s quicker than walking and good for my legs. Before taking children out on the road, Oasis provides them with cycle training sessions which run twice a week. The project trained two workers to become cycle instructors. They first shadowed external instructors from Cycle Training UK and are now running training sessions themselves. In addition, Oasis runs a bike repair and maintenance workshop every Saturday. Children and adults can bring their bikes and have them repaired. Parents have started taking their old bikes down to the workshops to get them fixed to go riding with their children. Six trips were organised in consultation with the children over the 2010 summer holidays including a group ride to the London Eye. The project participants are from an ethnically diverse background reflecting the local community, and many women and girls have joined the club. The project has been particularly helpful to single parents on low incomes who could not otherwise afford to buy bikes. KYBS Cycling Club turned up in force at London Skyride 2010 and the project has been so successful overall that it is now being funded by the borough Council. Blue Hut Bikes Skyway, Hackney Skyway is a charity that provides structured youth activities and peer training programmes for young people in Hackney. The Blue Hut bike project includes monthly drop in sessions, structured earn-a-bike courses, cycle training, rides and trips. Two of the young people have undergone advanced bike maintenance training and can now lead sessions alongside fully qualified mechanics. Working on donated bikes from the police, young people who didn t have a bike got the chance to take away the restored ones at the end of the course. Many of the bikes started off in a very poor state, so the sense of achievement was immense. Other highlights included trips to the Peckham BMX track and the Redbridge Cycling Centre. The training, tools and experience for the young people will enable Skyway to continue fixing up bikes and keep people cycling in the future. KYBS Cycling Club, Westminster The club runs from a community centre on a West London Estate and provides cycling opportunities for local children and adults. Initially none of the participants owned bikes, so the cycling club offered them their first chance to ride. Twice a week children and adults can use one of the project pool bikes and take part in a cycle training session or attend a maintenance workshop or Dr Bike. 15

16 Young Lewisham Project The bike project provides maintenance workshops and organises rides to local beauty spots such as Oxleas Wood and the Thames Path. Weekly sessions offer young people the chance to fix their own bike, work on a donated bike, or pick up some maintenance tips and skills. The project works in partnership with local schools, parents and the Lewisham Young Women s Resource Centre, another CCFL funded project, to encourage more girls and young women to take part in the workshops. Bikes have been used as a means of engaging young people who have been non-communicative, and also to encourage them to go beyond their local/safe areas and challenge territorialism. Heartbeat Communiversity Green Ride, Southwark Heartbeat Communiversity is an organisation that aims to channel the energy and talents of people and communities that often feel excluded from mainstream society. It provides a variety of interventions and programmes, working particularly with young people and parents. The organisation wanted to create an opportunity for members of the community to come together and collectively enjoy a healthy activity and they decided to set up the Green Ride project. The young people taking part in the Green Ride really enjoy getting out and about on bikes: The freedom of cycling is what I like the most. It s so much fun and you get to stay healthy too! It s great, Loredana. Heartbeat staff member Dumi started cycling to work since the project launch: I feel amazing! Heartbeat works in some of the most deprived areas of London, so to get people cycling they needed to provide them with bikes. The CCFL funding paid for a pool of bikes that can be used for the weekly rides or used on a short term loan basis in between. Two youth workers trained to become cycle instructors. They can now train project participants and take groups of people out on the road. The project organises rides to some of London s parks and one fourteen year old participant was so taken with cycling he joined a twenty-six mile cycle ride, and even persuaded his dad to borrow a bike and use cycling as a way of getting fit. 16

17 Clapham Park Bikes, Lambeth The project operates from a converted shipping container workshop that is situated on a Lambeth Estate, an area with poor housing quality, high unemployment levels and deprivation. Bikes are used to engage with local young people and provide them with a cheap and accessible means of transport to get to school and college, training or work. Recycle Bike Restoration Project Streets of Growth, Tower Hamlets Streets of Growth is a community development organisation specialising in youth leadership development and sustained neighbourhood transformation. The bike restoration project was set up in order to give young people with a high risk of offending or difficult to engage with, access to bikes. Through the maintenance workshops and training sessions participants have the opportunity to acquire new skills and get the possibility to attend advanced bike maintenance training with Bikeworks. Project worker Darren was surprised at the high attendance levels and says of the practical workshop sessions: They were fantastic, with young people simply getting on with restoring theirs and others bicycles, even asking to stay for a bit longer at the end of sessions. Luis, a ten year old who took part in the project enjoyed being involved so much that he has volunteered after school, at weekends and at local events. Luis was awarded a Community Champion Award from Clapham Park project in November in recognition of his contribution to the community at such a young age. The project runs regular maintenance courses for small groups of young people who work on abandoned or donated bikes. Participants get to keep the bike they have been working on during the course. On completion of the course, the young people receive lights, helmets and locks for their new bikes and can get cycle training. Further outreach has included working with young people from the Crystal Palace Football Club Social Inclusion Team, widening the reach of the project. Streets of Growth works in partnership with the local Safer Neighbourhood team, Tesco, Bikeworks and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to deliver drop-in taster sessions, a Build-a-Bike programme, a pre-apprenticeship bike maintenance course, as well as cycling events. As a result, participants are using their bikes to cycle to school, college or work and enjoy discovering new parts of London. 17

18 Youth Empowerment Solutions (Y.E.S) Bike Interact, Lambeth Y.E.S work with year olds many of whom come from low income families, are ex-offenders, at risk of offending, or are not in education, training or employment. Sharief, an eleven year old project participant, says: I like the bike workshop because whenever my bike is broken I can come here to sort out my problem. Regular drop-in maintenance sessions are held on Saturday afternoons where two City and Guilds accredited mechanics are on hand to help young people fix their bikes, or repair donated bikes. Alongside structured maintenance sessions, cycle training is provided to promote cycle safety. Y.E.S. linked up with the local police to ensure a supply of bikes, to be worked on by the young people. Hillingdon Slipstreamers Based at the off road cycle circuit by Minet Park in Hillingdon, Hillingdon Slipstreamers is a successful cycling club for youngsters under sixteen. With an already full programme of sports cycling as well as off road riding, the CCFL grant helped to extend their services to younger children, disabled riders and those with special needs. As a result, the club has expanded the range of bikes available to cater for those with balance and confidence problems and has developed coaching programmes, working with those with special needs, and turning the Hillingdon Slipstreamers into a fully inclusive club. Club members over the age of sixteen can do British Cycling coaching training with the Slipstreamers, are encouraged to keep in contact with the group, and even coach younger riders. The workshops help to keep participants cycling who would otherwise not have had the means or equipment to do so otherwise. 18

19 Biking Schools Shacklewell Primary School, Hackney In order to make cycling an integrated part of the school curriculum, Shacklewell Primary School runs on-going Bikeability training, regular Dr Bike workshops and organises events to promote cycling as a healthy, fun and sustainable way of travel. With the CCFL funding, the school can extend its cycle training offer to parents and carers. An after school family bike club started up in autumn 2010 and has since been teaching parents the necessary cycling skills to ride with their kids but also the basics of bike maintenance required to look after their own and their children s bikes. Shacklewell Primary School has been awarded a Gold Sustainable Travel Accreditation by Transport for London and is a Food for Life school. Ursuline High School, Merton The success of the Ursuline Girls High School bike project is clear and visible to everyone in Merton when they see the girls cycling to borough amenities for off site lessons. Based in central Wimbledon, space for sports and recreation, as well as other extra curricular activities decreased as Ursuline school expanded, resulting in a need to use separate, council provided amenities for many of the lessons. Since I ve started the bike scheme, I ve learned lots of new stuff and feel more confident cycling on the road, project participant. Previously students travelled to the various sites by minibus but lesson time was restricted because of traffic congestion, and limiting the number of students who could participate. Since the cycling project began, the minibus has rarely been used and nearly five hundred students regularly cycle to lessons. A further twenty-five staff also now cycle, both to commute and to accompany students. Careful planning was key to this project s success, particularly as the project is working with teenage girls, many of of whom have no access to bikes, come from a wide catchment area, from diverse backgrounds and living conditions, low income families, and have little or no previous experience of riding a bike. 19

20 Prendergast Hilly Fields College, Lewisham At Prendergast Hilly Fields College cycling is now embedded in the curriculum as a PE option as well as an extra curricular activity. The aim is to promote a healthy, active way for pupils to travel to and from school, and also to challenge barriers and issues that many young women have towards cycling. I found it really useful and have been given lots of encouragement. I really enjoyed it! 13-year old participant. Prendergast College trained a member of staff as a cycle instructor to ensure there is always a teaching resource in-house and the school runs a programme of rides and activities over the summer term to keep the students cycling. Oak Lodge School, Wandsworth Following the pioneering success of the 2009 CCFL funded cycling project at Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children in Camden, Oak Lodge School in Wandsworth was funded to develop a similar project at secondary school level. Oak Lodge pupils are profoundly deaf and come from all over London. Whilst some pupils have multiple difficulties, many are just deaf and as they move towards adulthood, often meet prejudice and barriers from the wider community regarding their capabilities. Surprisingly, some doubts come from either the deaf community itself or those closely associated with it parents, teachers, carers. Team Bike Too Link Secondary School, Sutton A small special needs secondary school for pupils with speech and language difficulties, the Link Secondary School in Sutton now has a very successful cycling project fully embedded into its culture and curriculum. Link Secondary School delivered training to seven representatives of a government department who visited the school for a charity work day in Some pupils are working towards independent travel whilst others cycle between school and lesson locations with members of a very supportive staff. This project has worked with pupils to develop their social and spatial awareness and encourage them to take responsibility for themselves as they move towards adulthood. The school has joined up with existing walking projects, thereby underpinning the concept of wellbeing and exercise, and has encouraged many members of staff who had previously either never cycled or not cycled for a long time to get back on their bikes and join in school activities. With the CCFL funding, the school has trained two fully qualified National Standards instructors, as well as purchased a fleet of new bikes, and used each of these assets for the benefit of new pupils. This project works to help students overcome those issues and develop personal independence, as well as access opportunities relevant to them. As a result, students are now riding on public roads, using bikes as a means of transport as well as socially with friends and family, and are getting fitter in the process. In addition, several deaf adults have learned to ride, and one is now a fully qualified National Standards cycle instructor. 20

21 Oasis Academy Hadley, Enfield The Oasis Secondary School in Hadley, Enfield, successfully bid for funding to set up an after school bike club. Blossom House School, Merton A school in Merton for students with language and communication problems, Blossom House School is encouraging pupils to develop social skills, confidence and personal fitness through their innovative cycling project. The project comprises one to one tuition, working on balance and control, riding in public places and led rides. In addition, a stationary bike made it possible for less able students to take part by providing simulated cycling in a safe and supported cycling environment. This extended the inclusivity of the project, with some pupils even progressing onto regular bikes whilst others continued to take part in a static environment. Working with new bikes and also fixing some donated bikes, students are taught basic bike maintenance skills to enable them to look after their bicycles before receiving cycle training and going on led rides to explore their local environment. Enfield is one of London s outer boroughs with high rates of car dependency and so introducing children early on to cycling is invaluable in bringing about a shift to a more sustainable transport model in the future. The Turning Hub, Richmond Cycling Campaign Resulting from a stand-alone school-based project in Richmond in 2009, the Turning Hub links several schools together as a roving bike club project creating activities and encouraging young people to use their bikes for transport, sport and recreation. Working mainly in an extra curricular capacity, this project has crossed borough borders and created a network of maintenance and riding opportunities, while helping youngsters carry on cycling as they move from primary to secondary education. This set-up has proved a low cost, sustainable and effective way of helping schools to get pupils cycling. The bike club has added a new dimension to the children s experience of St Mary s School, Lucy MacArthur, School Governor and School Travel Plan coordinator. 21

22 MAP OF ALL PROJECTS 2010/2011 Enfield Barnet Harrow Haringey South Kilburn Cycling Club Cycle training for young people and families Hillingdon Brent Camden Isling Ealing Westminster Academy Bike maintenance forsecondary school pupils Hounslow Richmond upon Thames Westminister K & C Lambeth Wandsworth Kingston upon Thames Merton Sutton 22

23 North Harringay Primary School Cycle training for children and bike maintenance workshop for the community Waltham Forest Recycle-a-Bike Bike building course for young people ECAT Wheels of Ages Cycle training and bike maintenance for residents of one of the local estates. Waltham Forest Redbridge Havering London Wildlife Trust s Nature Rangers Green Wheel Project Bike maintenance for the community Hackney ton Newham Barking & Dagenham City Southwark Tower Hamlets Greenwich Bexley Bonner Primary School Cycle training for children, parents and staff Lewisham Bromley Croydon 23

24 All projects by borough and target group Project name Borough Target group Get on your Bike with Norwood Barnet, Harrow, Redbridge Learning difficulties, special needs South Kilburn Cycling Club Brent Young people, children Bromley Bike Blast and Cycle-a-Mile club Bromley Families, young people, children Nature Rangers Green Wheel project London Wildlife Trust Camden and Islington Adults, young people Ealing Bike Hub Ealing Families, children, low income Oasis Academy Hadley Enfield Children, young people ECAT Wheels of Ages Hackney Families, children Bike Start at Hackney City Farm Hackney Adults, low income Wentworth Nursery School Hackney Children Blue Hut Bikes Skyway Hackney Young people Shacklewell Primary School Hackney Families, children, low income Broadway Build-a-Bike Hammersmith and Fulham Low income North Harringay Primary School Haringey Children, families Removing Barriers to Cycling Cycle Training East Havering Children Hillingdon Slipstreamers Hillingdon Young people, special needs Parkwood Primary School and Transition Finsbury Park Islington Families, low income Bike Refurbishment project Kingston Eco-op Kingston Mental health Carr-Gomm Oakdale Road Bike project Lambeth Mental health Oasis Children's Venture Bike Out project Lambeth Children, families Clapham Park Bikes project Lambeth Young people, low income Bike Interact Youth Empowerment Solutions Lambeth Young people, low income Sanford Community Cycling project Lewisham Low income Pedal Pushers Young Lewisham Women's Resource project Lewisham Women, low income Young Lewisham Project Lewisham Young people Prendergast Hilly Fields College Lewisham Children Ursuline High School Merton Children, girls Blossom House School Merton Children, special needs 5Es Newham Woodcraft Folk Newham Families, young people, children Little Manor Bike project Aston Mansfield Newham Children, low income The Turning Hub Richmond Children, young people Centrepoint Build-a-Bike Southwark Young people Heartbeat Communiversity Green Ride Southwark Low income, families All 'Bout Bikes EcoActif Sutton Low income 24

25 Project name Borough Target group Team Bike Too Link Secondary School Sutton Children, special needs Tower Hamlets Cycling Club Tower Hamlets Families, children, special needs Ocean Somali Community Association Cycling Club Tower Hamlets Low income, *BAME Bike Restoration project Streets of Growth Tower Hamlets Young people, low income Berner Community Wheels Tower Hamlets Low income Bonner Primary School Tower Hamlets Families, children, low income Waltham Forest Recycle-a-Bike Waltham Forest Young people Oak Lodge School Wandsworth Children, special needs Les Velos de Notre Dame Notre Dame Refugee Centre Westminster Low income, BAME KYBS Cycling Club Westminster Low income, BAME, adults, children Westminster Academy Westminster Children, young people * Black Asian and Minority Ethnic 25

26 Background The Community Cycling Fund for London was set up in 2003 to promote, encourage and support cycling across London in line with Transport for London and the Greater London Authority s targets to increase cycling levels. The total CCFL funding from Transport for London in 2010 was 200,000 with 22,500 match funded by the Big Lottery. During the two funding rounds in 2010 groups could apply for grants of 5,000 or 10,000. CCFL is seed funding that can be spent on capital goods (bikes, tools, equipment) as well as training to enable people who for a range of reasons (economic, social exclusion, dependency, cultural or religious beliefs) do not have access to and so cannot experience the benefits of cycling. In the early years, CCFL supported many one off events but it now focuses on establishing successful sustainable projects and strengthening community groups capacity for continued development. CCFL promotes in-house training or working in partnership with more experienced organisations to devise projects that are unique to the needs and requirements of the intended beneficiaries. Cycling as a means of transport drives the change towards people friendly, modern, low carbon and equitable cities, and has clear health benefits and transport outcomes. However, cycling is also a tool in helping communities combat social problems: individual and community isolation, gender-based inequality, postcode gang mentality, traffic pollution and hazard, transport deprivation, unemployment, obesity, cardiovascular problems, unhappiness, lack of self-esteem, and deteriorating public spaces. The CCFL scheme fosters an understanding of the wider impacts of cycling, and the London Cycling Campaign s community team is building evidence to strengthen the call for community cycling by exploring scale-up opportunities and making the case for large-scale, longterm funding. The future Some of the projects have been so successful, they are exploring the possibility of service delivery as a means of continuing and financing the cycling activities. Clapham Park bikes is in talks with Lambeth police about maintaining their fleet of bikes and Streets of Growth are exploring the potential of running the recycle-a-bike project as a service for youth offending teams and NEET 1 service providers. In this climate of austerity and funding cuts, projects need to be more resourceful than ever, so we are seeing more partnership working, exchanging of skills and equipment, and increased volunteer input. The in-house training that many projects have benefitted from will enable organisations to continue to provide cycling and cycling activities beyond the funding period and pass their skills on to other people. Another potential area of development is the growing market for reconditioned bikes. The London Cycling Campaign has been working with organisations such as the London Community Resource Network and community projects to set up a pan-london network of bike recycling projects. There is huge potential to develop these projects as social enterprises and secure income from the sale of restored bikes at affordable prices. A perfect example of this is Cycooldelic Revolution who received CCFL funding in 2009 and are now recycling bikes as part of the Brixton Re-use Centre. The London Cycling Campaign is consolidating the learning from many years of experience of working with diverse community groups by adding resources to the website, supporting network development, and exploring additional support services such as forums and microsites to ensure that there is continued support and information available for community cycling projects. 1 NEET: Not in Education, Employment or Training 26

27 About us The London Cycling Campaign The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) is the independent voice of thousands of Londoners who cycle for pleasure or transport. The LCC is the world s largest urban cycling organisation and recognises that transforming London into a world class cycling city creates a happier, safer and greener place in which to live, work and play. We act for everyone who cycles by campaigning in all boroughs for better conditions for cycling. We serve our members by providing them with advice, insurance and legal protection, rides and money saving benefits. We work with diverse communities, in partnerships and provide services and consultancy to businesses, to improve people s lives through cycling. For more information go to The funders The CCFL is supported by Transport for London and is match-funded by the Big Lottery s Active Travel Consortium. In 2010, a fund of almost 250,000 provided community groups and organisations with small grant allocations of up to 10,000 to enable people from London s diverse communities to experience the benefits of cycling. For more details, visit and The LCC administers the CCFL and the community team works closely with Transport for London and the Big Lottery to provide more people with the chance to cycle more often. Through the fund the LCC can create opportunities for those that have not had access to cycling for a variety of reasons such as social exclusion, lack of resources, or cultural beliefs. 27

28 Funded by Administered by Supported by Cycle London 2010 Copyright London Cycling Campaign (registered charity number )