Community Cycling Champions
London
London Cycling Campaign facilitates community grants for cycling projects to overcome a variety of social issues in hard to reach communities in central London and outer London boroughs including; the elderly, those with mental health issues, refugees, women’s and disability groups and black and minority ethnic groups.
London Cycling Campaign believe that cycling can play a part in tackling unemployment, health, crime, regeneration, reducing dependency, community building, or tackling poor transport links.
The Community Cycling Champions grants provide cycling specific support to community groups. This includes training in how to ride and maintain a bike, bike loan schemes and organised bike rides.
Cycling projects can take many forms and work best when developed with or tailored to the needs of a specific group or community. The project officer targets hard to reach established groups and encourages them to apply for a grant, and to identify which components could support their community and how.
For example, in a homeless shelter catering for vulnerable women, staff members were trained in how to lead a bike ride and provided a pool of community bikes, enabling them to take groups of women out on two wheels. Not only did the women regain confidence, but they had fun, forming social bonds with those around them, and they now have a low-cost way to get around.
In 2009, community groups which have benefited include:
Bede House
Bede House is an existing project for adults with mental health issues.The project is a new aspect of what they were providing previously, and they’ve bought bikes, trikes and adapted bikes with the grant allocation, enabling them to offer variety in cycling so that more people can join in. As the range of types of bikes available is greater, a wider range of needs can be catered for.
Bishop Gilpin Primary School
A bike club that wants to encourage a bike orientated culture aimed at children and families, and get cycling central to life for transport, health etc. Adults associated with school have already done sponsored cycle ride. More stuff to come over summer and autumn.
Bromley Cyclists
A Cycling Club for children in Bromley to encourage children to cycle. They initially wanted to start one club, but already have three due to lots of interest, The club has already has achieved British Cycling Go Ride status and is on way to achieving a ‘Club Mark’.
In 2008, community groups which have benefited include:
English Churches Housing Group in Westminster
Supporting vulnerable women - those fleeing domestic violence, coping with mental health issues, drink or drug problems or duel diagnoses – who are existing clients at two homeless shelters through a bike loan and organised ride scheme.
Age Well on Wheels in Hammersmith and Fulham
A community cycling champion is working with groups of over fifties on a specialised programme which emphasises both the fun and safety staples of getting back on two wheels through a series of fun lessons and bike rides.
All Ability Bike Club in Tower Hamlets
A fortnightly social cycling club around Victoria Park for those with special educational needs using a fleet of adapted pedal machines including tricycles, recumbents, hand cranks and two wheel bikes.
The Spoke Project in Brixton
Unaccompanied refugee minors have spent their summer earning a bike through a bike mechanics course while seeking asylum here in the UK. A fully equipped workshop space and expert guidance from trained volunteers have enabled donated bikes to be restored for the road.
Cycling and Disability short film
A short film to show the disabled and deaf that cycling is not only possible but also fun, and not just for the non-disabled majority. This film will be used to inspire many more people to get in the saddle.
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External link: London Cycling Campaign website
External link: Community Cycling Champions project pages
