CTUK News - May 2005

Commonside Re:Cycle gets people cycling!

Residents in the Commonside area of Mitcham will be getting on their bikes this summer with help from Commonside Re:Cycle.

The project, run by the Commonside Community Development Trust and Pollards Hill Youth Club, aims to help young people learn bike maintenance skills and then transfer this new knowledge to others in the community. Commonside Re:Cycle hopes that young people will benefit from learning these useful skills and increase their confidence as they are trained how to teach others. There will also be an opportunity for some young people to gain qualifications through the project.

Young people will receive a week of training from Cycle Training UK (CTUK) and then be mentored by CTUK staff at monthly maintenance workshops in the community, with support from volunteers.

The Youth Club will also be running weekly drop in sessions where trainees can hone their skills. The project is also funding cycle training at two local schools to encourage students to cycle safety and responsibly. The Merton Youth Inclusion Trust will also be hosting two of the bike maintenance workshops at the Eastfields Youth Club. Everyone in the Commonside area will be able join the project’s family cycle rides around the local area.

Suzanne West, Environment and Community Development Officer at the Commonside Trust said ‘this is a great opportunity for young people to get some useful skills that will benefit the whole community. Cycling is the quickest and cheapest way to travel in London, as well as the best environmental option.’

Jim Taylor, Manager of the Pollards Hill Youth Club, added ‘Commonside Re:Cycle will develop the work we’ve been doing with young people in the local area over the last year. We’re really pleased that the Local Network Fund have given us this opportunity’

Remi Al-Ameen of Merton Youth Inclusion Trust said ‘Young people in the local area will benefit immensely from this project. Cycling is a very positive activity and we at Merton Youth Inclusion Trust are delighted to be involved in this project and would like to see these activities available on a regular basis’.

For more information please phone Suzanne at the Commonside Community Development Trust on 020 8764 5896.

CTUK helps Southwark Cyclists get ready for Bike Week

Can Southwark Cyclists’ Get Ready for Bike Week get Southwark on its bike?

With over 50% of journeys in London being 2 miles or under, cycling could be a feasible option for many of us. Yet only 2% of our daily journeys are by bike.

Southwark Cyclists are trying to find out what will tempt us out of cars, buses or trains. As part of the Bike Week 2005 celebrations in June, they have put together a menu of support for even the most nervous of potential cyclists.

For those who want to build up their confidence, Cycle Training UK, the biggest on-road training provider in London will be offering discounted cycle training, starting in Burgess Park and then taking people onto the roads to learn how to cycle safely and assertively.

Sessions will run every evening from the 6th to the 11th June.

Minister launches National Standard

Cycle Training UK (CTUK) was pleased to hear Charlotte Atkins, Minister for Local Transport officially announce a new National Standard for Cycle Training.

"The new National Standard for Cycle Training will be a priority for Cycling England. We need to extend and improve training to give children and adults the skills and confidence they need to cycle on the road. Our aim is to get more people cycling, more safely, more often." Charlotte Atkins, Minister for Local Transport.

CTUK have long been involved in the development of the National Standards for Cycle Training and were one of the first CTC Approved Instructor Training Centres. All CTUK instructors are professional cycling instructors who have gained their National Certificate of accreditation.

For more info Click Here (Department for Transport)