Riverside Youth Project in Easton, Bristol have been out and about on their bikes thanks to a grant from Bike Club. The funding has enabled them to buy a fleet of bikes, and also refit an area of their club as a workshop so the young people their can practise their bike maintenance.

Riverside Youth Project new bikes and workshop

So far they have run a successful series of sessions with young people on day release from HMP Ashfield, the Young Offenders Unit where young people between 15 and 18 who have been remanded and sentenced. The have taken mountain biking trips to Ashton Court Estate and Leigh Woods.

In September, two leaders plan to attend a bike maintenance training, so as they can deliver bike maintenance sessions with the new equipment, and also maintain their new bikes. The group has good links with the local Police Community Support Officers, who have been donating old bikes for refurbishment.

Funding from Cycling City and Aiming High for Disabled Children has meant a fleet of all ability bikes is now located in Bristol for use by all young people to make cycling more accessible for those who have difficulty using a standard bicycle. Sessions using the bicycles deliver a range of benefits including increased levels of fitness and well-being, social interaction and confidence building for young people.

The bicycles are being managed by Wheels for All, a national inclusive cycling project. Wheels for All are running free training days to enable as many leaders as possible to be able to use the bikes with their groups.

The bikes are located at St Paul’s Adventure Playground, and last Friday I brought them out for a ‘Let’s All Play’ Inclusive drop in play session for young people. The bikes were a great success, and gave young people with low confidence a chance to try something new.

There are several more opportunities to use the bikes through August. Today, Monday 16th and 23rd August at 11- 3pm, anyone of all ages can pop down to St Agnes Park outside the playground to try the bikes. On Friday 27th August the bikes will also be available for young disabled children from 9.30am until 1pm at the adventure playground.

If you are interested in using the bikes with your group or children you know, or getting some training so as you can deliver sessions, please contact Lizzie Evered, lizzie.evered@bikeclub.org.uk, 07825 983465

Funding from Greater Bristol’s Cycling City project and Bike Club has helped Lawrence Weston Youth Action to buy all the equipment they need to carry out their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition by bicycle, rather than on foot, including storage and accessories for 10 hybrid bicycles. The 10 young people taking part in the challenge (five of whom are working towards the bronze level award and five towards the silver award), have been using the bicycles to train for their two-day camping expedition last weekend.

Once this class graduates the bicycles and equipment will be kept by the club so Lawrence Weston Youth Action can run their ‘Duke of Edinburgh by bike’ courses in future years. The Bronze group is heading out to Woodhouse scout camp in Almondsbury. The Silver group will begin their trip with an overnight stay at Woodhouse before setting off once more to Weston Lodge Farm in Portishead. Both groups are travelling along cycle paths and quiet country lanes.

Pete De Boer, Senior Youth and Community Worker, Bristol City Council said: “Over last few months these groups have learnt how to repair punctures and they’ve studied the highway code to learn how to ride safely on the roads.” The group are riding Trek mountain bikes, loaded down with tents, sleeping bags, food and spare clothes. Connor, from Lawrence Weston, aged 16 said: “We’re taking a Trangia [an alcohol-burning portable stove] and we’ve got noodles and pitta bread for dinner, along with fruit, pasta and cereal bars.

Cllr Jon Rogers, Bristol’s Executive Member for Cycling City attending the send off. Cllr Rogers said: “Cycle expeditions are a fantastic way for young people to learn more about travelling regularly on two-wheels. We hope that this Cycling City grant will not only set these young people up with a taste for adventures by bike but also future young people in communities around Bristol.” The group received a sum of £8,852 for the bicycles and camping equipment from Cycling City’s community grant and £1,303.50 from Bike Club. These bikes will remain at Lawrence Weston Youth Centre for young people across Bristol to use.

Cycling City currently offers a small events grant for groups and individuals wanting to put on cycle-related events. Interested applicants should contact simon.carpenter@bristol.gov.uk or visit www.betterbybike.info/funding-community-events for detail of how to apply. , who work with schools and community groups to offer extra curricular cycling opportunities.

Lizzie Evered, local Bike Club Development Officer, said: “I am really pleased we’ve been able to fund and support this project. Carrying out the expedition by bike is a great opportunity for young people to take up a new challenge and stretch their horizons. It is brilliant that this group from Lawrence Weston are blazing a trail for many more cycle expeditions across the city in the future. “Bike Club hopes to offer wide ranging experiences for young people across the city. Interested parties should contact Lizzie Evered, local Bike Club Development Officer on lizzie.evered@bikeclub.org.uk

(Top picture (l-r): Amy Parker, Sarah Goreeph, Connor Fraser, Peter De Boer, Becky Nash, Thea Cook, Ella Gossling, Laura Perks, Cllr Jon Rogers, Lizzie Evered)

(Middle picture (l-r): Sarah Goreeph, Connor Fraser, Thea Cook, Amy Parker, aged between 14 and 16, from Lawrence Weston and Sea Mills) (Bottom picture (l-r): Laura Perks, Rhian Findlay, Ella Gossling, Becky Nash, aged between 15 and 16, from Pill)