We Are Cycling UK
Cycling UK is the UK’s largest bike charity which provides bike training courses to help and inspire people to keep cycling. Their motive is to provide a fun learning experience and to encourage people to start cycling more often as it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone.
Cycling UK is the UK’s largest bike charity which provides bike training courses to help and inspire people to keep cycling. Their motive is to provide a fun learning experience and to encourage people to start cycling more often as it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone.
The Big Bike Revival!
The Big Bike Revival is all about helping people to overcome barriers and learn to enjoy cycling. Run by Cycling UK they provide free cycle checks, servicing, maintenance, workshops, training, accompanied rides and social events.
In 2018 they reached more than 42,000 people and held approximately 1,100 events over just 13 weeks!
BIKING BACK TO BETTER BEGINNINGS:
Prior to his life at New Roots, Martin Williams was homeless, taking drugs, and involved in crime for 20 years.
Before volunteering at Ladywood cycle group, Martin felt like he was 'in a downwards spiral' of depression and anxiety. He struggled to get out of bed and felt like he was worthless.
"I had my own bike as a child and always did like cars too. You could say I have always been interested in the mechanics." Martin said.
"By being involved in the cycle group, I feel like it's giving me another reason to avoid drugs as I'm working hard at something positive."
He now looks forward to being at the workshop for BBR bike fix events to teach skills, learn new skills himself and also help other members of the New Roots and Ladywood community.
"I feel like I have a real purpose and motivation knowing that this work is not only helping others toward a more positive lifestyle, but it makes me feel good each day," he said.
By being at the cycling group, being supported and around a different group of people, he believes it is helping him to build his self-esteem and motivation.
"I enjoy being with the people I work with, and I like to see the looks on peoples faces when we give them a bike they can use... I like to think I am helping other people's lives too."
Martin has now been put forward for the Cycling UK Ride Leader and advanced bike maintenance training to help him achieve his dreams of having his own business.
In 2018 they reached more than 42,000 people and held approximately 1,100 events over just 13 weeks!
BIKING BACK TO BETTER BEGINNINGS:
Prior to his life at New Roots, Martin Williams was homeless, taking drugs, and involved in crime for 20 years.
Before volunteering at Ladywood cycle group, Martin felt like he was 'in a downwards spiral' of depression and anxiety. He struggled to get out of bed and felt like he was worthless.
"I had my own bike as a child and always did like cars too. You could say I have always been interested in the mechanics." Martin said.
"By being involved in the cycle group, I feel like it's giving me another reason to avoid drugs as I'm working hard at something positive."
He now looks forward to being at the workshop for BBR bike fix events to teach skills, learn new skills himself and also help other members of the New Roots and Ladywood community.
"I feel like I have a real purpose and motivation knowing that this work is not only helping others toward a more positive lifestyle, but it makes me feel good each day," he said.
By being at the cycling group, being supported and around a different group of people, he believes it is helping him to build his self-esteem and motivation.
"I enjoy being with the people I work with, and I like to see the looks on peoples faces when we give them a bike they can use... I like to think I am helping other people's lives too."
Martin has now been put forward for the Cycling UK Ride Leader and advanced bike maintenance training to help him achieve his dreams of having his own business.
Eat, Make, Play 2019
Advanced Bike Maintenance
On Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June, two residents along with our Senior Support Worker took part in an advanced bike maintenance course, run by Cycling UK.
Founded in 1878, by Stanley Cotterell, Cycling UK aims to inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the joys of cycling.
Steve, Martin and Tony learnt how to fully service a bike from back to front via the M Check method. They also learnt how to align the gears, brakes and wheels; they were taught about the two types of cable outer, chain sets, wheel trueing as well as v brakes, calliper brakes, hydraulic and cable disks and much more!
I spoke to Martin about his experience on the course; he told me that before going on the course, he was a real beginner. Although he’d been tinkering about with bikes since he was a kid, and knew a bit about bikes, he’d never done anything formal such as this course.
After completing the course, Martin felt far more confident not only about bike maintenance but his whole life! It’s encouraged himself and others to carry on fixing, building and maintaining bikes. Martin wants to take bike maintenance further in his life; this could even lead to building his own business!
I also spoke to Tony about his experience on the course. Tony, too, has been dabbling in the world of bikes since a young age. He also gained a Level 2 Motor Vehicle Mechanics qualification during his late teens which gave him some transferrable skills. Despite this, he still learnt new skills and gained a formal qualification whilst at it!
Thanks to this course, the pair of them got the change to take part in the Dr Bike scheme, part of Gear Up Birmingham, and assisted in fixing and maintaining bikes on Sunday 9th June in Birmingham City Centre.
As well as this, they received a generous donation of bikes from Stechford Police Station; thanks to this they will be able to repair and maintain plenty of bikes. They’ve also secured a contract with Birmingham City Council which means they’ll be able to maintain some of the Big Birmingham Bikes!
This course has opened up a lot of doors for both Tony and Martin and who knows what the future holds for them!
On Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June, two residents along with our Senior Support Worker took part in an advanced bike maintenance course, run by Cycling UK.
Founded in 1878, by Stanley Cotterell, Cycling UK aims to inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the joys of cycling.
Steve, Martin and Tony learnt how to fully service a bike from back to front via the M Check method. They also learnt how to align the gears, brakes and wheels; they were taught about the two types of cable outer, chain sets, wheel trueing as well as v brakes, calliper brakes, hydraulic and cable disks and much more!
I spoke to Martin about his experience on the course; he told me that before going on the course, he was a real beginner. Although he’d been tinkering about with bikes since he was a kid, and knew a bit about bikes, he’d never done anything formal such as this course.
After completing the course, Martin felt far more confident not only about bike maintenance but his whole life! It’s encouraged himself and others to carry on fixing, building and maintaining bikes. Martin wants to take bike maintenance further in his life; this could even lead to building his own business!
I also spoke to Tony about his experience on the course. Tony, too, has been dabbling in the world of bikes since a young age. He also gained a Level 2 Motor Vehicle Mechanics qualification during his late teens which gave him some transferrable skills. Despite this, he still learnt new skills and gained a formal qualification whilst at it!
Thanks to this course, the pair of them got the change to take part in the Dr Bike scheme, part of Gear Up Birmingham, and assisted in fixing and maintaining bikes on Sunday 9th June in Birmingham City Centre.
As well as this, they received a generous donation of bikes from Stechford Police Station; thanks to this they will be able to repair and maintain plenty of bikes. They’ve also secured a contract with Birmingham City Council which means they’ll be able to maintain some of the Big Birmingham Bikes!
This course has opened up a lot of doors for both Tony and Martin and who knows what the future holds for them!