Rounding up our series of articles about opportunities to get cycling in South Leeds for Bike Week 2021, here are details of some of the projects:
Lakers launch cycling club
South Leeds Lakers was established in 2015 as a running club and has gone from strength to strength with around 80 people running regularly. We are now pleased and excited to be able to offer a Cycling section to the people of South Leeds.
We currently have three recently qualified British Cycling Level One Ride Leaders who have been preparing to lead small groups of riders on short to intermediate rides. Our rides will generally set off from Cross Flatts Park in Beeston on a Saturday morning to begin with, but we hope to offer regular evening rides throughout the Summer too. We hope our inaugural ride will take place in June 2021, but please follow our Facebook page @SouthLeedsLakersCycling for regular updates and information or email us at southleedslakerscycling@gmail.com for further details. We look forward to welcoming you to the Laker family!
Big Bike Fix
The Big Bike Fix is a locally-led project, to fix up unwanted bicycles and donate them back into the community. Founded in Beeston in 2020, the south Leeds team (based across LS10 and LS11) have now restored and given away close to 600 bikes.
For full information, including how to request a bike, look for ‘The Big Bike Fix Leeds‘ on Facebook, or message 07738 921277. Unwanted bikes, and volunteers (especially fixers) are always welcome. The team also run drop-ins for people to get their own bikes fixed every Sunday, 12pm-4pm, at their workshop on Harlech Avenue in Beeston.
Bike Library returning soon to Community Hubs
The Bike Libraries are anticipated to reopen at Dewsbury Road and St George’s Community Hubs from the 21st June. They offer opportunities for everyone to learn to ride and enjoy cycling, regardless of their circumstances, income or location. The bikes can be hired for a day, a week or even longer and a great way to exercise, get to work, school or college and spend time with friends and family.
Balance Bike loans
Dewsbury Road Community Hub is currently holding balance bikes from Bike Friendly Schools – specifically to loan free to local schools – with Saint Francis of Assisi, Hunslet Moor and Greenmount primaries already signed up to for their younger children to benefit from this opportunity.
Bike Friendly Schools are also able to offer some free training / help for staff to support their pupils to enjoy and progress on the balance bikes – available from their instructors &/or the local British Cycling officers. All staff are fully trained, experienced, DBS checked and most important, friendly and ‘down to earth’. Sessions are very hands-on – learning by example whilst getting younger pupils to have fun on the balance bikes. It’s not rocket science (we won’t pretend it is) but there are some approaches that help children progress faster.
If you are a School or Nursery that feel you would benefit from loaning the balance bikes from Dewsbury Road Community Hub, please contact Wes Moran on 07891 278066.
Help the Big Bike Revival
Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival is all about making cycling accessible to all. The 2021 programme is now open for applications, and they are encouraging local community organisations and groups in the Cross Flatts park area to apply. Head to our web site for full details and a link to apply: www.cyclinguk.org/bigbikerevival/current-programme
Cycle for health
A programme of Cycle For Health sessions will soon be starting at Cross Flatts Park. Cycle for Health is a cycling led intervention by Cycling UK, which seeks out and then offers a route into regular activity for those identified as suffering from a physical or mental health condition, helping to kick-start the drive to improve their condition and lifestyle.
Participants are usually referred by health workers, local authority health and physical activity teams, GPs, charities or community groups. The project has clear targets:
- Promote a healthy & active lifestyle
- Offer cycling to those who suffer from a long- or short-term health condition
- Increase access to cycling in deprived communities where barriers to activity are prevalent
- Have a positive and lasting influence on an individuals’ health and well-being beyond the 12-week intervention
- Influence lifestyle and travel choices
- Develop lasting and clear referral routes onto the project to continue the level of impact
We’ll be delivering this programme through a 12 week free course, with one 2 hour session per week taking place at Cross Flatts Park. Each course will be delivered in a small group and is led by a qualified instructor. Bikes and all equipment is provided and the course delivers a steady but achievable increase in activity each week. If you’d like to know more about becoming a referral partner, please email: zoe.westerman@cyclinguk.org
