We have plans for Bike Club to spread around the country. But here are some examples of the kind of work that’s been going on as pilot projects for Bike Club:

Leighton-Linslade
Southport
Farnham
Rochdale

Leighton – Linslade  (Bedfordshire)

Dirt jumps, pump track, off-road loop and portable obstacles

We’ve created a range of cycling facilities to keep young people entertained, give them something to focus their energies and capture their attention.  Young bikers had already been riding in the area around Clipstone Brook, in conditions that were far from ideal. We recognised that local children love to ride their bikes here so we improved and upgraded the track, adding jumps and berms to make a great off-road loop.

At an area of playing fields in Leighton Linslade, we built a set of dirt jumps and a circuit of rolling bumps known as a ‘pump track’. Children on all kinds of bikes are drawn to this entertaining facility where they can meet their friends, test their skills and burn off excess energy. It’s not just the local young people that love the track – Local residents are pleased with the way that youngsters now occupy their time riding their  bikes, rather than in less positive ways.

Some children would love to experience the challenges of mountain biking, but aren’t located anywhere near off-road trails. To make sure they don’t miss out, we built a series of portable wooden off-road trails that bring off-road excitement to venues like school playgrounds. A challenging track can be built virtually anywhere, bringing outdoor adventures to young people less able to leave their neighbourhoods.

Southport (Merseyside)

Self-produced short film about cycling among teenage girls

Many people have noticed that girls cycle less often than boys, especially during their teenage years. The girls of Greenbank High School in Southport, Merseyside decided to investigate.

With assistance from CTC’s Juliet Jardine, the students of Greenbank High made their own 20 minute film, looking into issues surrounding cycling. They interviewed their teachers, their fellow students, local politicians and cycling experts from the Netherlands, where bikes are popular among all ages and both genders. The Greenbank students discovered that some teenage girls are worried about their appearance while cycling, and they looked at solutions to help more of their peers take to two wheels.

The film project, called ‘Pedal Power – The Way Forward’ took several months to film and produce, with interviews, safety demonstrations and exciting ‘helmet cam’ film segments. A premiere showing took place at Southport’s town hall, with cycling campaigners and local dignitaries invited to the red-carpet occasion.

Greenbank High School has shown how Bike Club can be about lots more than just riding bikes. Cycling provided an exciting subject, helping the girls to hone their skills of investigation, creativity and technology.

Farnham (Surrey)

Inclusive cycling by children and young people with disabilities

Alice Holt Forest, near Farnham, is a beautiful area of woodland that makes a great venue for off-road cycling. Adults and children love the tracks that lead through the many trees. Until recently people with disabilities have sometimes found it difficult to join in this kind of fun.

A fleet of specialist cycles has been purchased that make cycling as inclusive as possible. There are three wheeled trikes, hand-powered cycles, wheelchair bikes and many more, all of which make the enjoyment and challenge of cycling available to young people with physical, learning or sensory impairments.

The fleet of specialist bikes has been so popular that the Forestry Commission have built a beginners’ cycle track to provide an easy off-road loop through the trees that can can enjoyed without having to embark on the more adventurous trails the forest has to offer.

Among the children and young people who often come to ride at Alice Holt are groups from The Abbey School in nearby Farnham, a special school that caters for children with learning difficulties and communication disorders. The school encourages adventure and outdoor fun, so weekly bike rides through the trees of Alice Holt have been incredibly popular. Young people whose learning disibilities used to prevent them from cycling have gained confidence and fitness through their regular bike rides.

Inclusive cycling at Alice Holt is open to all. Many groups book sessions through Sarah Walker of East Hampshire Cycling for all, while others, like the girl pictured here, attend independently with their parents. Individual use can be arranged through Quench Cycles.

Rochdale (Greater Manchester)

Learning life skills and discovering the countryside

Since January, several girls in Rochdale have been taking to two wheels to discover the area surrounding their town. Before we helped them with training and equipment, they didn’t ride bikes and had very limited access to the countryside.

Weekly sessions have helped the young women learn the skills needed to plan and prepare for a cycling expedition that will earn them part of their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They have learned about cooking, menu planning, route planning, map reading, first aid, fitness and leadership, in addition to specific cycling skills needed when riding a bike laden with camping equipment.

Cycling has acted as a fantastic way to empower these young women and help them to learn life skills they may otherwise not have gained.