I knew this was going to challenge me and it did all of that. The course was a 4 day Bikeability Course run by the CTC and organised by RSCT in Cornwall as part of their partnership with the CTC.
We were a mixed bunch ranging from teaching assistants to health professionals and a mature student like myself with a disability. Our lecturer, Greg Woodford, Senior Cycle Training Officer at the CTC proved to a patient, experienced and a knowledgeable trainer. We ploughed our way through levels 1 and 2 together with practicals outside in the indifferent weather.
Level 3 was particularly interesting; we had to negotiate a 4 lane roundabout with heavy traffic using it from 4 different directions. Hairy to say the least particularly on a recumbent trike, but we all survived needless to say. Yours truly achieved the Assistant Instructor award as they won’t let me out on my own.
My grateful thanks go to Greg and everyone else on the course for their patience and understanding with a mature cogger like me in tow.
…lived up to its billing on Saturday – the official estimate being 10,000+ people on bikes calling for the London mayoral candidates “to commit to continental-standard cycling infrastructure in the capital.” Or simply, “Love London – Go Dutch“.
It would’ve been more too, had it not rained all day. It didn’t once get to a point where I thought it was time to take my jacket off and display our Inclusive Cycling Forum T-Shirt. The Wheels for Wellbeing tabards are definitely the right all-weather solution!
David, Neil, Tony and Jim were representing WfW, and I also met fellow mobility rights campaigner Lianna from Transport for All: “accessible transport – no excuses”. I knew quite a few of the other 9,994 people there, but we kind of got separated!
It was very much a carnival atmosphere with all types of people, including children. Especially children. A key requirement of a cycle network which is fit for purpose is that parents feel they can let their kids use it. Another is that it’s accessible to all. This campaign, along with The Times campaign for safer cycling, are the first steps in making that a reality. It is very London-centric right now, but gaining the political support there is essential to improving conditions across the country.
For those outside the capital, you can still have an input. Email a picture of your bike to ilovemybike@thetimes.co.uk saying what you love about it, and/or tweet it with the hashtag #ilovemybike. They’ve not seen any trikes or handcycles yet folks…
Cycling For All at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield, launches this Thursday 29th of March.
The sessions will run every Thursday 10-3, with a variety of cycles to suit your needs, whether that’s 2,3,4 wheels, a hand cycle, or a wheelchair transporter.
Some of you who came last year may not have got the chance to find your ideal cycle because it was so popular (and great!!) Can I suggest that some of you come for the afternoon session, which will probably be about 1-3.
Please forward to anyone you may think will be interested.
If you have any Specific Questions about the day, please phone Nick Blood, on 0114 2346052, Steve Marsden (CTC) on 2500613, or myself on 07909972140 (and I’ll direct your question, if I can’t help)
For those that couldn’t make it Steve and Luke produced this short video of the bikes being used on the day.
Along with Wheels for All in Oxford, and the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership, the next steps are to find a more suitable venue and plan regular sessions beginning in Spring 2012.
Tomorrow, Saturday November 5th at 12pm, is our AGM at St Matthews, 20 Great Peter St, London SW1P 2BU.
There’ll be a light lunch and refreshments. If you can’t make it do remember to send your apologies. Do come along if you can, AGMs aren’t the most exciting ways to spend an afternoon but they do need to be quorate.
An inclusive cycling centre for Oxford came another step closer on Friday. The mobile Wheels for All team brought a selection of bikes to Cutteslowe Park for a day session and those trying them out, along with parents, carers and physios, made it clear that they want this to be a regular event.
Despite there being about 50 Wheels for All centres in England and Wales there are many areas that lack provision, Oxfordshire being one of them. Cycling Projects, the charity behind Wheels for All, are helping to demonstrate to community groups what inclusive cycling is about and what’s on offer with these ‘taster’ days.
The team brought a variety of trikes and handcycles, a tandem and a Van Raam wheelchair transporter, but even so, a few people couldn’t find something that completely suited them on the day. Not because that something doesn’t exist, just simply because not every variation of all ability cycle can fit in the van. On the bright side, it highlighted the fact that the day attracted a wide range of both abilities and ages.
These sessions don’t run themselves and it’s just as important that volunteers and sponsors get a chance to see how it works and how worthwhile it is. The Oxfordshire Sports Partnership will need local support to get these centres up and running in 2012.
Hands clasped behind head on a springy bed of pine needles, listening to the lazy tap of the Woodpecker making his way around the forest clearing. Gazing out to sea from behind a pie and a pint outside the Square and Compass atop the Purbecks. Riding breeze assisted all the way along Bournemouth Prom to Christchurch for fish & chips.
Just some of the idyllic moments I can still conjure up from a week camping in the New Forest. Not to mention catching up with the New Forest Rally CC regulars at the cheese and wine gatherings. And only one day washed out by rain – a whole twelve hour shower!
Several regulars at the Cycle Show, nee Rally, said that things have changed quite a lot over the years, but with nothing to compare it with we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend on the Knavesmire.
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[Report by John on the National Standard Instructor course held in Cornwall from 16th to 20th April 2012]
