ROAD SAFETY & CYCLE TRAINING
incorporating ‘Bikeability’ and bringing Cycling Proficiency into the 21st Century ( www.bikeability.org.uk )

National and regional press releases in reverse order with the most recent first:

2006  ~   2007   ~   2008  ~  2009

Bookmarked Links for 2009

Skip to the October Instructor Training Press Release in Newquay
Skip to the original Road Show Press Release with photos
Skip to the original School Cycling Awards Report
Skip to the February Instructor Training Press Release

Cyclists given wheel boost

16 December 2009

But there are also a variety of extra functions hidden within the hub of the new wheel, which is designed to be easily interchangeable with any standard bicycle’s rear wheel.  By using a series of sensors and a Bluetooth connection to the user’s iPhone, which can be mounted on the handlebars, the wheel can monitor the bicycle’s speed, direction and distance travelled, as well as picking up data on pollution in the air, and even the proximity of the rider’s friends.

The resulting data can help the individual rider - for example, by providing feedback on fitness goals - and help the city (if the user opts to share the information) by building up a database of air quality, popular biking routes or areas of traffic congestion.  All of the generating, power assisting, sensing and communications equipment fits inside a plastic housing in the hub of the wheel, connected to the standard rim by a novel system of spokes.

Dubbed the Copenhagen Wheel, it was developed by a team led by Carlo Ratti, associate professor of the practice in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) and director of the SENSEable City Laboratory.

The whole generating and power-assisting system can be controlled through the pedals, requiring no switches or dials. Pedal backwards, and the regenerative braking is engaged, helping to recharge the system’s batteries. Pedal fast, and the extra boost of power is generated. ‘Everything is controlled by your feet,’ Ratti explained.

There are a variety of bicycles on the market now that can provide an electrical boost, but Ratti said this one is different because of its extra functions, modern design and ease of use.  The city of Copenhagen, site of the UN Conference on Climate Change, has been a sponsor of the research (along with the Italian company Ducati and the Italian environment ministry) and the city has already placed an initial order for some of the innovative bicycle wheels, to be used by city workers.

The system was demonstrated in Copenhagen on 15 December for the benefit of conference attendees and for a gathering of 400 city mayors from around the world.

40% increase in cycling in Exeter

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/163-25m-kickstart-upgrade-cycle-routes/article-1494259-detail/article.html

Personality of the Month - Zsolt Schuller, Cycle Exeter

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm

~ November 2009 Newsletter ~

Cycle Experience partners with the CTC and Age Concern - Encouraging the older generation to take up cycling

As part of an overall objective to encourage the over 50’s age group to live healthier more active lives, Cycle Experience was selected to work with Age Concern and the CTC to provide cycle training number of locations in West Sussex.  The training has proven a great success albeit with numbers dwindling as the dark mornings and evenings set in.

In addition to this Cycle Experience is staging a Try-Out event for the over 50’s in Chichester on the morning of November 24th where individuals are invited to turn up to a drop in session to try riding a bike some for the first time and others returning to cycling after a gap of some years.

We will have a selection of bikes supplied by our manufacturing partners Raleigh and Brompton bicycle and two of our most qualified cycle training Instructors Jon Pettifor and Donna Adamson will be on hand to provide support and advice.

This as part of an overall objective to encourage this particular age group to live healthier more active lives.  As our client at Age Concern commented; ‘It is great to find an organisation who not only provides the training but also comes with some creative ideas on how to get the over 50’s cycling’

Related posts:

Wednesday 28th October

Teacher is the wheel deal

 
From  L-R Simon A-J learning Level 1 exercises, about to get *drenched on the last day and explaining the risk assessment pros and cons to an Instructor Trainer
(*Courtesy of the Newquay Voice, all rights reserved)

NEWQUAY Junior School has supported their librarian to train as a National Standards Instructor in the hope that it will promote cycling among children and teenagers as a fun means of ‘green’ transport and exercise.  A National Standards Instructor Cycling) qualification provides the skills necessary to teach the modern day version of cycling proficiency to anyone from a complete novice to a confident cyclist who wishes to gain some advice on negotiating traffic and the highway code.

Cycle Experience, the Instructor Training Provider who set up the course, was invited to the school to train a small group from all over Cornwall, including Simon Anderson-James from the school itself (pictured centre).

Nick Moon, Director of Cycle Experience, said “It was a small group but it is great to be working with such enthusiastic individuals and I am confident that they will all make excellent instructors. A very big thank you to Steve Bywater, Newquay Junior’s Head Teacher, for allowing us to use their facilities for the duration of the course. We look forward to working in Cornwall again.”

Wendy Creed who is an Assistant Instructor Trainer with Cycle Experience said: "I work constantly with Simon when we take children out anyway and having watched him, he is a natural. The school has many children and with Simon now having gained his provisional accreditation, hopefully we can train many more children in any one year than we have previously. Already this year, there have been two children who have not cycled much before and now they are going great guns”.

Within the next six months, the newly qualified instructors will be involved in running various courses designed to help children and young people to be safe and feel confident when cycling on today's roads.

Home grown National Standards Cycling Instructor for local school
 
Over the half term weekend, Newquay Junior School furthered their green policy

by supporting their librarian to become a trained National Standards Cycling Instructor

10am Wednesday 28th October 2009
 

From L-R: Talking about delivering all aspects of L2, where to stand etc., about to get drenched on the last day and Bike Maintenance also forms part of the course.
(*Courtesy of the Newquay Voice, all rights reserved)
 

Under Cycle Experience's auspices Wendy Creed, who has worked with Newquay Junior School since the Bikeability pilot in September 2006, acted as Assistant Instructor Trainer to Martin Burrows, Cycle Experience's Lead Instructor from just across the border in Devon.

Nick Moon, Director of Cycle Experience said “It was a small group but it is great to be working with such enthusiastic individuals and I am confident that they will all make excellent instructors. A very big thank you to the Steve Bywaters, Newquay Juniors Head Teacher, for allowing us to use their facilities for the duration of the course. We look forward to working in Cornwall again.”
 
Those who trained and gained their provisional accreditation as National Standard Instructors include Simon Anderson-Jones (Newquay Junior School) who is both a Teaching Assistant and Librarian as well as having trained in various sports to assist with after school clubs.  Others who also trained were Louise Summers from Penzance, who is both  a mother and works in a local school in Penzance and Sinead Chambers who is a 1^st Year Sports Coaching student at Truro College.
  
Wendy said "I work constantly with Simon when we take children out anyway and having watched him, he is a born natural. The school has many children and the grant that comes into county, simply doesn’t go far enough.  With Simon now qualified as well, hopefully we can train many more children in any one year than we have previously.  Already this year, there have been two children who have not cycled much before and now they are going great guns”. 

Martin Burrows, Lead Instructor for Cycle Experience said “it was a small group so very informal but the group dynamics were still good and despite all the trainees having diverse backgrounds and having very different motives for training, they worked together really well.  They were all very appreciative of the fact they all bought very different skills to the table and were able to learn from each other.  That of course, is the mark of a good instructor, someone who always wants to always learn more where possible.”

Sinead Chambers' home town is Swindon which proudly hosts one of the pilot Bike Clubs is delighted at the chance to train as an instructor.  The purpose being to encourage teenagers to be involved more in cycling, and using it as a means of transport, as recreation, sport, exercise, a ‘green’ form of transport – and just for fun, last but not least, helping children and young people to discover the freedom that cycling brings.  She is looking forward to going home during the holidays to become involved there as well as helping children in Cornwall.  Being in the last of her teenage years herself and totally self taught due to a lack of training being available in her era, she is keen to get involved and give people the opportunity to have the training that wasn't there for her.

It is hoped that in the fullness of time, that Bike Club, (together with Go Bike which is more of a competitive nature) will also come to Cornwall.  It is due to be piloted in Exeter in the near future at which time Wendy is hoping to become suitably trained to be able to run it.  Recently she attended a dinner and was offered the possibility of putting a funding big together for such an eventuality and submitting it when the time is right, which she has every intention of doing.

Within the next six months, the newly qualified instructors will be involved in running various courses at the end of which, they will be observed by senior instructors.  They will then, subject to delivering the courses effectively and achieving the required outcomes, become fully qualified National Standard Instructors. 

For further information or further National Standard Instructor courses or the new recently ratified Assistant Instructor Course in Cornwall, please contact
Wendy Creed on 07762 493662 or go to http://www.rsct.org.uk/pages/instructor_training.htm

Stop ‘Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You’
Because sometimes sorry just isn’t enough.

Bad driving intimidates and harms innocent people. Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly endangered by negligent or aggressive driving because we’re not encased in a few tonnes of metal every time we set out on the roads.

'Stop SMIDSY' will address how the police, prosecutors, the courts, and the law itself could all do a better job at encouraging people to use the roads in safer and more considerate ways. When we lobby these institutions on your behalf, we need evidence of how they need to improve. That’s where you come in.

Report your story and help make our roads safer:

Report your story and help make our roads safer .. Most of us have experienced bad driving. By creating a place to collect and share these stories, we will build the political will to change how society deals with bad driving. 

Get information and advice ..

Get information and advice too - If you request help from our lawyers, we will send them the information you have supplied us. They will contact you within seven days if they think they will be able to help.

You can also learn more about the law about bad driving and download some practical tips for dealing with it.

The CTC also have a campaign going called 'Fill that hole' because of the awful state of a lot of our roads .. ..  

The Problem:

Potholes and road defects are more than just a nuisance, they’re a danger to cyclists. They’re responsible for 12% of compensation claims by CTC members, and local Councils have a duty to fix them.

What can I do?

Councils can’t be everywhere, and if they don’t know about a pothole, they can’t fill it in. So if you want to get it repaired, you have to report it.  Fillthathole.org.uk contacts the right people for you, to get the roads repaired quickly and easily.

So you can spend your time riding, not dodging obstacles.

To learn more, please go to http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk and http://www.fillthathole.org.uk or visit the CTC stand at the Cycle Show in Earls Court, on until Sunday 11th October.

Bikestock 2009 ..

Wendy Houvenaghel opened the Mineral Tramways.,
Mining Trails Celebration
26/09/2009 16.29

Champion track cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel performed the official opening ceremony at the Bike Barn
which also has cycle hire facilities on Saturday 26 September 2009.

There was a full programme of events during the day at:

A £6million regeneration project to develop a network of multi use trails and restore and conserve historic mine structures in central Cornwall was officially opened on Saturday 26 September together with a series of events for the whole community.  The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project adds 25km to the existing 31km of multi activity trails and links in with existing routes such as the Coast to Coast and the Great Flat Lode Trails.

Wendy Houvenaghel,  who is a double World Champion & Gold Medallist in the Women's 3000m Team Pursuit in Track Cycling and World Silver Medallist in Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit as well as having bought home a Silver Medal from the 2008 Olympics, officially opened the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project at 10am at Elm Farm Coast to Coast Cycle Hire.

Cornwall Councillor and Chairman of the Mineral Tramways Partnership Mark Kaczmarek, will join Wendy at the official opening. Mark said: “I am delighted that the creation of the 56km network of trails will offer people a unique opportunity to access a wide area that is rich in mining heritage. The project has combined better access to the carefully conserved buildings and the landscape of our proud mining past with spectacular views, exceptional wildlife diversity and the health benefits of getting out and using the trails.”

The day of celebration will have a variety of different activities at each of the three main hubs - Bike Barn Cycle Hire in Cambrose, King Edward Mine, Troon and Bissoe Bike Chain Bike Hire - included guided cycle rides, walks and horse rides, face painting, book signing by local historian Joff Bullen, live music, including performances by the Illogan Sparnon Silver Band at King Edward Mine, cycle demonstrations, a mountain bike assault course for children and BBQ’s.

At 3pm, fires will be lit in nine chimney stacks around central Cornwall to create a smoking chimneys event.  The evocative sight of smoke issuing from these iconic monuments to Cornwall’s historic mining past will be visible from vantage points on the Great Flat Lode in the Camborne and Redruth area recreating the vista of the heyday of Cornwall’s mineral activity.  Much of the trails network closely follows the tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and vital supplies to and from the area’s many tin and copper mines to ports such as Devoran and Portreath.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for the Environment Julian German said: “The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project is responsible for the careful conservation of a number of important mining sites in the area, boosting the number of heritage sites and shafts that have already been made safe, so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.”  Thirteen mining villages within the project area, have also had improvements made to them and new interpretation panels will help bring to life the exciting story of an area that sparked pioneering developments and was once the richest in the country.

Champion cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel said: "The Grand Launch of the Mineral Tramways Network of Trails is an excellent initiative by Cornwall Council which will allow the beautiful Cornish countryside to be explored by those who are interested in the outdoors. The trails will provide a fantastic off road alternative for individuals and families who enjoy cycling, horseriding, walking and running whilst having the opportunity to appreciate the mining history associated with the Trails. I'm very much looking forward to being involved in the formal opening of the Trails and to taking part in Saturday's action packed event on the 26 September."

Cornwall Council cabinet member for health and well being Neil Burden said: “Whether you are a walker, cyclist or horse-rider, the expanded network will offer a wealth of opportunities to exercise both mind and body. Being mainly traffic-free, the network will offer improved and safer access to schools, places of work, local facilities, historic settlements and visitor attractions.”  The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project is a £6 million Regeneration Project. It is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, South West Regional Development Agency, Objective One, Cornwall Council, and Parish and Town Councils in the project area.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office explained the role that the Objective One Programme had played in this exciting project: “The Objective One Programme investment of £1.6 million in the mineral tramways project has both helped conserve these key features of our mining history – part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site – and provide the environment for a new set of business opportunities based the on important leisure and tourist economy.”

Useful links

For general information about the Mineral Tramways please see Mineral Tramways Heritage Project

For more specific information about this event please see Grand Launch programme for the day

Plymouth Fun Day
Sunday September 20th 2009, 11.16

Having been invited by Plymouth City Council to represent cycling at the Fun Day held on Sunday 20th September, two instructors from the South West Instructors Co-operative attended, along side Devon and Cornwall Police, the Play Group, a wonderful band and local resident who also plays the bag pipes.  There was also two climbing walls for all abilities as well as a craft workshop, face painting and information on sustainable transport and recycling as well as free food and drinks for the residents.

The turn out was fantastic ... it was estimated that over 200 people came and joined in and one former resident, a mum herself, decided she'd like to learn to ride a bike and almost was so close to achieving her dream but the camber of the road was not particularly conducive to it so she will be working with the instructors once again on the occasion of the next Bike Links training session on Plymouth Hoe.  Cones were also set out so that children could have some fun in the form of a cycling challenge and taster sessions of what to expect from Bikeability for the younger ones, were also run.

Recent developments
Wednesday, September 9th 2009, 16.01

During the holidays Wendy went out to the USA to work with some former Bikeability students, to help them adjust to cycling on the other side of the road - with 4 way stops instead of roundabouts it certainly made life interesting! Nothing was what one might have anticipated it would be .. and with no formal training available, drivers tend to scream to cycle on the sidewalk??

She was also a volunteer Team Attaché at the 2009 UK School Games in Wales, with cycling being introduced as a new discipline this year.  Held at Newport's Velodrome the idea is to give up and coming athletes a taste of what it is like to be part of the British squad, travelling from the Athletes Village in Cardiff each day.  However there was just one area of the entire United Kingdom which was not represented and that was the South West. Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and every other area in the UK were represented but the SW peninsula, which was conspicuous by it's absence!

Instructors from the SW Cooperative continue working together with the Schools Sports Partnerships, in both Devon and Cornwall. Wendy is returning to the Tavistock area next week at the behest of parents of children just too young to qualify for funding from the Youth Sports Trust, meanwhile she also has continued involvement in projects such as Plymouth's BikeLinks as well as hoping to set up a cycling track and all ability cycling centre here in Cornwall.  Negotiations are already underway with the relevant respective parties, in terms of funding and hopefully location as well.

Another forthcoming event happening on September 12th, is the Historic Churches Sponsored Bike Ride when participants can cycle to as many or few churches as they wish to in their locality ....... it's down to the individual how they go about it but it can be just 2 churches or 10 in the individuals' locality or discover more about a neighbouring area and if anyone wants to do something different, they are also able to participate on horseback or shanks if they don't want to cycle but prefer to take it at a more leisurely pace!! Just so long as it is done at some point between 10am and 6pm ..

More information can be obtained from secretary@cornwallhistoricchurchestrust.org and http://www.cornwallhistoricchurchestrust.org/events.php and this link leads the Parish list of churches that can be visited and something of their history ...... http://www.cornwallhistoricchurchestrust.org/parishlist.php.  Then the following week, there is a fun day in Plymouth on Sunday 20th September when again, Wendy will be present hopefully with some other instructors from the SW as well.

Pedal power for people with learning disabilities
26th August 2009

People with learning disabilities will soon be enjoying their first taste of a simple outdoor pleasure many people take for granted - a cycle round Central Park.

Plymouth Learning Disability Partnership is taking delivery of two specialist bikes – one for use by people in wheelchairs and the other a 'side by side' tandem with hand operated pedals.

The partnership (between NHS Plymouth and Plymouth City Council's Adult Social Care service) has worked closely on the bike project with the charity Wheels for All which gives people with special needs the chance to enjoy cycling.

The new bikes were bought with the help of a £64,000 Government grant awarded to the Learning Disability Partnership to improve access to mainstream facilities in the city - such as shops, leisure and sports centres, cafés and community centres.

Organisations and businesses around the city were invited to bid for a share of the grant to implement projects designed to help change and improve the lives of people with a learning disability. Some of the funding has been used to pay for a containerised store for the bikes in the Mayflower Centre grounds.

Other projects to benefit include:

There are currently more than 1,300 people with learning disabilities known to NHS Plymouth and Plymouth City Council’s Adult Social Care service. The Learning Disability Partnership provides support and services to people who struggle to access ordinary services in their daily lives.

Cyclists ride out to put more routes on the map with the Heartlands Project as a Cycling Hub for Cornwall
Thursday, August 06, 2009, 00:00

MORE than 60 miles of cycle route in Cornwall are being mapped out and recorded to help plans for a new cycling hub in the heart of the county.  As part of the development of Heartlands in Pool, two members of the team are mapping the cycle networks to determine how they could eventually link to the site.

Transform: Routes including Mineral Tramways trails and the National Cycle Network will be documented by Heartlands team members Hugo Bugg and Maren Hallenga.  The £29.5 million Heartlands project is planned to transform Cornwall's most derelict urban area into an inspirational cultural landscape.

Hugo Bugg, one of the cycle project researchers, said: "This has been a really exciting project to be involved with and we hope our findings will put Heartlands firmly on the map for what is has to offer cyclists.  Once complete we will have spent more than six months researching the cycle routes and reviewing how Heartlands can link to the established cycle paths."

Scott James, Heartlands programme director, said: "We have the opportunity to inspire people to get out on their bikes and promote cycling as an environmentally friendly form of transport.  Heartlands can become a hub for Cornwall's cyclists, offering opportunities to learn about the benefits of cycling, alongside the local history and geography."

Essential clearance is now well under way to prepare the Heartlands site for the work.

The development will offer a UNESCO World Heritage Site gateway and exhibition, garden areas, one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the South West, event and exhibition areas, artist studios, a restaurant, business space and provide a hub for cycling networks in the region.

Ends

Cycling instructor warned of arrest

(NB The facts have been added just below, to keep the record straight .. but click here or on the banner above to see the online article and click here to see the relative article from last year .. Also to see comments that have finally been published on the WB website although it seems not all comments have been published click here - these are the ones I know about as people have emailed me about it.  It seems we have some wonderful support and not just locally either!)

A CYCLING instructor claims she was warned she could be arrested for breaching the peace when she tried to take part in a cycling festival in Truro.

Wendy Creed, from Truro, is a qualified cycling instructor who, with colleagues from the South West Cooperative of National Standard Instructors, on Saturday went to the Cornwall Festival of Cycling organised by Cornwall Council.

But when she tried to take part in the event on Lemon Quay, she was told that if she did not go away she would be arrested by police for a breach of the peace. Ms Creed said: "We provide Bikeability training for schoolchildren in the county, and yet were not allowed to take part in the event. We were doing nothing other than trying to earn an honest living and promote safe cycling to help people of all ages and abilities.

"This was a public event, organised by the council."

A spokeswoman for Cornwall Council said that the Festival of Cycling was delivered by a company from Lancashire, following the council's usual tender process.

She added that Ms Creed was part of a team who bid for the contract to run the festival, but was unsuccessful.

The council spokeswoman said: "It's disappointing that a local cycling instructor has attempted to undermine the success of this event which aims to entertain, enthuse and educate people about the possibilities and benefits of cycling, leading them to adopt a healthier and more sustainable form of transport."

Below are comments made on the site and my own response - furthermore, we recently asked Kevin Lavery to meet with us because of the contemptuous way we were treated but needless to say, that request was denied!  Below that again, are comments on the 'This is Cornwall' website article supporting our work in county and beyond it seems ..

LOCAL PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED CYCLING INSTRUCTORS WARNED THEY COULD BE ARRESTED FOR BREACH OF THE PEACE AT CYCLING FESTIVAL

Could someone please explain to us why the local National Standards (cycling) Instructors are not good enough for Cornwall
and it’s new Unitary Authority?

16:12hrs, Saturday 11th July 2009

    
Catriona, the newest cyclist in Cornwall having learnt a week ago and Karen - a recently qualified instructor ( www.frillstuition.org.uk ) talking to some of the children, giving them DfT
child friendly freebies reinforcing what they learned on the course, having worked with them this summer on behalf of the Schools Sports Partnership and Youth Sports Trust.

Last year the contract for the festival was awarded jointly to two northern companies despite the former Cornwall County Council knowing they would not be using local instructors prior to the contract being decided as it was a condition of the tender.  It does beg the question as to why exactly and at the first road show in Falmouth, two local instructors who are part of a South West Cooperative of National Standard Instructors went to Falmouth Marine Quay to represent both their colleagues and themselves so anyone who might wish to have training locally might know of their existence.  It was how they were greeted and treated that is worrying especially as it appears that the council are appealing to people to come forward as Cyclewise instructors.

Just over two weeks ago, Steve Masi was one of two instructors who attended the Falmouth road show and said he couldn’t believe it when they were actually told by one council employee that they had ‘been asked not to attend and that they were not welcome’ so what exactly were they doing there?  He said “We had polo shirts made up so we could be identified as local instructors rather than the organisations involved but that seemed to go down even more like a lead balloon." 

On Lemon Quay last Saturday, Wendy Creed was challenged again by the same council employee saying that they could not cover them from the insurance angle but she explained that is not a problem as the instructors carry their own public liability insurance, so then the excuse of a risk assessment was used but again, as professionally trained and qualified instructors, it is also a very important part of their training so something they can do for themselves, without having to rely on the council to do it for them.

When that failed, the council tried coming at it from the angle that the instructors were trying to ‘sell’ their services – in fact they had bought with them activities books based on road safety for children as issued by the DfT through the ’THINK Road Safety’ website, which as professionals for road safety, they are entitled to order and hand out but that was also wrong yet no-one else had them available and all were free ..

When one instructor stated that it was a public event and they were professionally trained under a government scheme endorsed by the DfT,  in cycling which of course is what the show was about and that it should be a place that local instructors could meet and potentially help local people, she was told that she must go away.  So when she stood her ground she was then threatened by a PCSO who was attending the festival as well and told that she would be arrested for a ‘breach of the peace’ only she was not allowed to say very much, so quite how she was breaching the peace, is something of a mystery.

Then came the false allegations in front of two others from that same PCSO, that she had approached the director on more than one occasion which again was inaccurate but it was one person’s word against another and she came off worse yet tomorrow they go back to Manchester so please tell me, who fills that void then if the local instructors are not allowed to come along and be visible? 

When she had allegedly approached them more than once, it was in fact the other way around.  All she had done initially was put her things down having just come from the car park and then was approached by organisational staff - it was when every excuse they had, had failed, she was once again told to go away.  That seemed to be how the allegations were introduced - in a further attempt to get rid of her.  In fact she had barely had time to do anything when the onslaught started!  When she asked them not to invade her space as they had become threatening, that is when the PCSO was bought in by the council employee who had done this.

It transpired that the previous two weekends, two other local instructors were there but only to explain the new cycle trails  that the council constructed last year, right on the doorstep of their business.  However a couple of hours after the first road show was under way, one of the two instructors who had been invited on site, was also invited to assist with the main cycling arena to try and defuse this fact but again, it was not evident that he was a local instructor.  Nor does any of this alter the fact that no compromise was offered either nor when prior to being told to go, the local instructors had asked if they might have a table in the marquee area at Falmouth, where another 20 tables could have been accommodated, but were told there was no space for them.

However the local economy benefitted from one person who was here on holiday wishing to learn to ride and approached Wendy in Penzance.  A young lady in her mid 30s visiting Cornwall on holiday last week, was referred to her during the road show.  The following morning, she had a lesson and less than an hour later, went from being certain she was not capable of cycling to planning hiring a bike to cycle to Marazion from Penzance and again around St Mary’s when she and her friend went over the Isles of Scilly for the day.  This is a young lady who historically tends to come down here for two weeks EVERY year and now she has learned to cycle, she plans on getting around Cornwall by bike in future years too.

Wendy represented Cornwall during the Bikeability pilot between September 2006 and March 2007 before it was rolled nationally and said “Sadly it appears that we are up against the same old, same old again this year.  So much for their claiming “more cycling, more safely, more often” if the local instructors are not allowed to be a part of it and get chased off., although at least this year, the director of the company running the festival has not physically put herself between myself and a client of 6 months as was the case last year, telling me rather venomously to get out from under her gazebo in the process.”

“Last year, I requested information under the Freedom of Information act as the tender has stipulated that 90 or was it 96 children should be trained at Level 2 but only about 60 or so children were, plus about 90 at Level 1 .. something that the local instructors could have easily done between themselves for a mere £5,000 for 96 children at Level 2 and 90 children at Level 1, leaving £30k that could then be used to bring in a specialist charity like Cycling Projects who run taster sessions for anyone, irrespective of any impairment they might have in lieu of the weekend road shows and could also go to the local special needs schools.  Yet for a second year running, £35,000 was spent on the event which included the three road shows and some other school activities but no facilities whatsoever for people with impairments nor any one of the four special needs schools in the county and the local experts were neither recognised nor welcomed!”

However there is hope for the Cornish based instructors as they have been sent this by a supporter who believes this is all wrong and the next reading is scheduled for October 26th ... http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/localemployment.html .. and here is what was said having got through it's first reading in Parliament, as reported in Hansard http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090623/debtext/90623-0009.htm

A few weeks ago, Wendy also received an communication from the Unitary Authority after she had forwarded emails from people with disabilities to the organisers in the hopes that they might bring in ‘Wheels for All’ (a specialist charity for disabled cycling), to this year provide facilities for people with various impairments, including side by side tandems for people who are deaf and blind.

Wendy says “I was told to not forward such information on and that all communication would end there – that has to be the standing joke of all standing jokes, last year they told you, the press that they had set up a meeting with me because of my concerns.  A meeting that they tried to schedule when they thought I would be going into it on my own but surprise, surprise, the second another instructor was prepared to accompany me, they came up with every excuse under the sun, so as not go through with it!”

Some of their photos make me wonder., if we, sitting there quietly are considered to be a risk, what is all that is going on in the one small confined area considered to be then only that was allowed?  The area is a fraction of the area the Company of Cyclists would use and there is no-one getting permission from parents either as CoC did!

Riding into a town, the £3,000 eco-friendly bamboo cycle
(that's a bike made of bamboo stems)

Check out these links ...... in the Daily Mail and click on the above link to go to the Bike Bamboo website!  Also the Calfee Design website.

Ends

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm

Scheme of the Month - Newquay Junior School

More people cycling, more safely, more often

When the Bikeability pilot was launched in September 2006, Newquay Junior School asked cycle trainer Wendy Creed to work with Y3 teacher Viv Davy to deliver the programme. Viv organised a minimum of 2 groups for training each half term - Level 1 training for Years 3 and 4 and Level 2 on road training for Years 5 and 6.  In the Spring Term 2008 the PTA offered to contribute a small amount per child who did their on road training. At the same time the application to Awards for All was submitted to enable children without their own bikes to participate.

In April 2008, Viv learned that the school had been successful in winning a grant of £9,000. That figure was to cover the cost of 10 bikes. Secure bike sheds are also currently being built using this funding. The remainder, along side a grant from the Youth Sports Trust went into training costs. Now both Y5 and Y6 could have free on road training at Level 2 and Y3 and Y4 can also have playground training to Level 1 standard; a total of 150 to 200 children per year.

Head teacher, Steve Bywaters, has supported the staff with the cost of training over and above the bursary and ensured that SATs tests timetabling has not disrupted the training. The school allows cycling during school hours and Viv hopes to train up as a National Standards Assistant Instructor when the course is ratified. Her enthusiasm has inspired three colleagues to train as National Standards Instructors.

Newquay Juniors has supported cycle training for almost 3 years, promoting it to parents as well as the children. Some parents have asked for training to take up cycling or regain their confidence.

Viv hopes to run a cycling club for the children and, during activity week in the summer term, off-roading using MTB instructors trained on CTC’s newly devised off road course.

Viv Davy is also our Personality of the Month

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm and is filed under Scheme of the month. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Personality of the Month - Viv Davy, Newquay Junior School

What is your job or other main activity that involves cycling?
I am a Year 3 teacher at Newquay Junior School (part-time / job-share) and I run the Bikeability courses for all the year groups (Year 3 to Year 6).

How long have you done that?
I have been teaching for 15 years, 10 of those at Newquay Junior, and set up the 1st cycling courses about 3 years ago, although our lottery funded “Awards For All” project began in April 2008.

Where do you live?
I live in Newquay, on the north coast of Cornwall.

What most encourages you about cycling where you live?
Having easy access to both on and off road cycling opportunities makes it easy to avoid using the car, as well as being able to enjoy the great Cornish outdoors whilst, hopefully, getting a healthy amount of exercise!

What most discourages you about cycling where you live?
Cornish weather can be quite unpredictable and being a busy teacher and mum, finding time isn’t easy!

How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
Relaxed, confident, cycle for the fun of it and enjoy the downhill bits best!

What is you earliest cycling memory?
Riding a big tricycle and a little thick-tyred bike down “our hill” with the other kids on our road.

Where is the best place you have ever cycled?
Rotness Island in Australia.

What is your greatest achievement, in terms of encouraging more people to cycle?
Getting children who have never ridden a bike to give it a go and get involved, and to giving children the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence needed to cycle more safely both on and off the road.

What single thing do you think would do most to encourage more cycling in the UK?
Create more cycle lanes to enable safer everyday cycling opportunities.

What has been your favourite cycling experience?
Having a day out cycling with family and friends on the Camel trail.

What was your worst cycling experience?
Coming off my bike, over the handle bars and crashing head first onto the road, after pedalling madly at top speed down a hill and having to break very suddenly to avoid a friend on foot; I was only 5 or 6 at the time!

What is it about using your bike that you like the most?
I like having the freedom to get from place to place out in the fresh air - especially in the summer.

The answers given are the opinion of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation they may represent.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm and is filed under Personality of the month. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

 

Velodrome plan could be draw for Olympic hopefuls

PLANS are on track for a £1million state-of-the-art velodrome to be built in Kingsteignton.  The village is bidding to become home to the South West's only outdoor cycling track and a potential breeding ground for the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.

The Mid Devon Cycling Club, based in Kingsteignton, is putting together the bid and has received backing from Devon County Council and British Cycling, the national governing body for the sport.  It will be used by sports cyclists training for competitions and by youngsters developing their skills.

The profile of track cycling has soared in the last 12 months following British success in the Olympics but there are no modern training facilities within 100 miles of Torquay.

Andy Parker, Kingsteignton resident and chairman of the Mid Devon Cycling Club, said: "It would be wonderful to see a future Olympic cycling star emerging from the training received in our velodrome."

The council and British Cycling have agreed to co-fund the project.  Olympic success means British Cycling has money to spend on new tracks in each of the country's 10 regions.  No other areas in Devon or Cornwall are thought to be in the running for the regional track, which could be built in time for the next Games in 2012.  Currently the closest covered track is in Newport, South Wales, and the nearest outdoor one in Reading.

Ken Robertson, South West regional secretary for British Cycling, said: "This is obviously a very important development for the South West.  It will give British Cycling the opportunity to develop a range of different cycling skills including cross country and road racing, as well as the competitive use of a banked track.  It will also complement BMX and cross country facilities in the area."

The track is earmarked for former clay working land at Broadway.  Plans for a £3million sporting centre of excellence for Teign School are already well-advanced.  Land nearby is currently subject to a controversial planning application by developers Arnold White Estates which wants to build up to 600 homes.

The cycling track is subject to planning and successful negotiations with land-owners Sibelco (formerly WBB). 
There are also plans to build a cross-country and road-training tracks alongside the velodrome.

John Smith, Devon county councillor for Kingsteignton and deputy leader of the council, said: "I am really delighted we can extend the range of our sports provision in Devon with this project.

"Planning, and discussions with landowners, is well under way — all the early signs are really promising.

"Cycling is very popular in the West Country and this terrific facility will really encourage both physical fitness and the greater use of the growing number of dedicated cycle routes the county council is developing across Devon."

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Pupils pedal their way to awards
Monday May 18, 2009, 12:25

School has own bikes
Wednesday 13th May 2009

Newquay Junior School has held a special assembly to celebrate the cycling achievements of both staff and pupils.  The Edgcumbe Avenue school actively encourages cycling as both a green means of transport and a good way for children to stay healthy.  Teacher Viv Davy heads up the biking initiatives working with local and national bodies to encourage and provide cycling proficiency training.  The school now has its own trainee National Standards Instructor and additionally is sponsoring its own bike technician to gain a mountain bike instructors qualification as well.

13:18hrs, Thursday 16th April 2009

CTC's Inclusive Cycling Forum
00:01hrs, Wednesday 1st April 2009

On Saturday March 28th, a group of likeminded cycling enthusiasts came together
from across the country, to discuss promoting 'all ability cycling' and
how best to get it out into the public domain.

   
Just a few of the group using their specially adapted bikes on the nearby track or trying out someone else's in practical terms for themselves as alternatives ..
 

The inaugural meeting of a new cycling forum, set up to meet the needs of anyone who wishes to become involved in cycling irrespective of their circumstances, was held in Reading at the weekend.

The eclectic mix of CTC members involved, all have an interest in promoting cycling to anyone who either wishes to return to cycling after an absence or try it for the first time.  This includes catering for anyone who has any kind of impairment which they believe, might prevent them from participating in an activity like cycling.  An example would be someone with different, or additional needs, such as those with mental health issues, sensory impairment, learning difficulties, or any physical/emotional needs that make it difficult for them to be included in cycling and other activities.

The group includes the local CTC Regional Cycling Champion, members of the CTC and National Standard Instructors from both Cornwall and Devon, some of whom have to contend with such issues as ME throws up.  They all plan to meet again in the autumn and their itinerary will be to again share their ideas and experiences, with a view to progressing the promotion of cycling for everyone and the possibility of a conference on the subject in 2010.  Another of the groups' aim is to campaign to ensure that a bike is recognised as a mobility aid - as one of the members proved, himself being an amputee with his bike replacing a wheel chair or crutches and was almost part of him in the way a prosthetic leg would aid mobility.

Represented were a good cross section of 'all ability' cyclists which consists of both more able bodied cyclists and those who are also amputees together with representatives from organisations such as WiZZBiKE, Wheels for Wellbeing, London Cycling Campaign, Cycling Projects and Handcycling UK, the latter of which, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, is patron.

The CTC themselves, are involved with a project called Life Cycle which is part of an EU Public Health programme.  It will provide cycling for health courses where possible in partnership with General Practitioners as well as doctors and hospitals or other health referral schemes. The courses will be flexible in terms of the individual’s fitness, health and age.  Their involvement will focus particularly on older people and hard-to-reach groups in four selected regions, those being Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Reading and Swindon involving Black and Ethnic Minority women, mental health and physical health groups. The aim of this project is to establish Cycling for Health schemes as a recognised referral scheme.

As an organisation, the CTC are committed to a vibrant and broad base of cyclists that encompass all sectors of the community and aim to make cycling accessible, safe and enjoyable and to develop a new cycling culture that enriches lives and communities. They have a membership of 60,000 people and bring together the largest, most dynamic, most diverse, most passionate group of cyclists in the UK. 

Originally it had been hoped that the Cornish ‘Wheels for All’ centre might have been launched on 1st April 2009 but that has been delayed as it is still very much a work in progress.  However there are ongoing feasibility studies revolving around funding, local authority support, and availability of suitable locations which are all things that need to be taken into consideration before the trustees of the charity, Cycling Projects, are in a position to make any decisions.  Also Plymouth is another potential venue for such a centre so in reality, there are two possibilities in terms of location.

In the interim, anyone looking for directional advice on specially adapted bikes in particular, take a look at Velovision, which is a quarterly cycling magazine celebrating cycle culture worldwide. It is a magazine for those passionate about cycling, and whose interest is in the practical applications of cycling, bikes as a transport solution, and cycling as a bridge between like-minded people across the world. 

It contains authoritative technical material, intriguing stories of cycling people and communities from across the world, cycling art, history and literature, and of course the latest from the world of specialised cycle design: work bikes, recumbents, folders, family cycling and more.  Suppliers of such bikes are Wise Wheels and Quest 88, which is a UK based company specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of therapy, mobility and rehabilitation equipment for children and adults.  Also another comprehensive guide on the manufacturers of different adapted bikes can be found at Bentrider Online.

Two more informative websites are Crank it up, which is a Yorkshire based voluntary organisation linked to Cycling Projects and Wheels for All - this link will take you to their picture gallery of the specially adapted bikes they use and Cobr which gives you a list of outlets for adapted bikes amongst many, many other cycling related things you might want to check out.  Also click here for Sustran's Disabled people and the National Cycle Network leaflet, which will open in a new window.  Furthermore, go to the Beginners Programmes on this website, to see what has been achieved by total novices wanting to learn.

Cycling into the Future: 15 Crazy Concept Bicycles

Written by Steph on March 3rd, 2009 - Topics: Travel, Urban

This ... you have got to see., click on the logo or hyperlink ... everything you can think of cardboard bikes, bikes with square wheels., you really have to see this! 

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11:20am Saturday 28th February 2009


 

Gearing up for a new Study Plus course

Released 18.45 24th February 2009
 
During Reading Week, Truro College graciously hosted a National Standard (Cycling) Instructors course, which involved four HE students and a former lecturer from the college itself.      
             

   
Learning to do an 'M' check from the bike maintenance angle ~ Being briefed by lead instructor Martin Burrows, about positioning etc. when out .on road with students  ~  The end of four very intense days training

Under Cycle Experience's auspices, Wendy Creed, a 1st year HE student studying Sports Coaching and Therapy was Assistant Instructor Trainer to Martin Burrows, Cycle Experience's Lead Instructor from just across the border in Devon.

Those who trained and gained their provisional accreditation as National Standard Instructors were Bill Ward (1st year Outdoor Education student), Jon Williams (1st year Sports Science and Injury Management student), Rob Cockings (2nd year Personal Trainer student) and Mark Trebilcock (former Water Sports instructor).   Others included Karen Westbrook (Driving Instructor), Matt Wilmott (ASD teacher with Doubletrees School) and Steve Masi (owner and operator of Wheels on Wheels, a mobile cycle workshop that goes into schools).

Nick Moon, Director of Cycle Experience said “It is great to be working with such a group of enthusiastic individuals and I am confident that they will all make excellent instructors. A very big thank you to Truro College for allowing us to use their facilities for the duration of the course and again to Wendy Creed for persevering to get this course scheduled. We look forward to working in Cornwall again.”

The aim is that in the academic year of 2009 - 2010, it is hoped to offer a Study Plus Cycling course at the college, run by the students who are now professionally qualified and will go on to consolidate their training by working with Wendy, in schools within the county which will also form part of their Work Based Learning, again part of their respective degree courses.

Wendy said "We had a very intense but very fulfilling week.  The group dynamics were fantastic, all trainees just clicked and worked together really well.  They were all very appreciative of the fact they all bought very different skills to the table and just as we, the trainers were able to learn from them, so they also learned from each other.

A classic example is that we want to include the foundation students in the Study Plus programme and Bill is particularly interested in doing so.  Now everyone has exchanged contacts and most of us are hoping to go and work with Matt for precisely this reason." 

Within the next six months, the newly qualified instructors will be involved in running various courses by the end of which, they will be observed by senior instructors.  They will then, subject to delivering the courses effectively and achieving the required outcomes, become fully qualified National Standard Instructors in their own right.

For further information or further courses, please contact Wendy Creed on 07762 493662 or go to www.rsct.org.uk

Donations and contributions

06.59 19 December 2008

Wheels for All is part of a registered charity and  the first donation including Gift Aid, is currently winging it's way to us - our benefactor knows who he is but wishes to remain anonymous, however we still owe him a big vote of thanks for getting the project off the ground in this respect .. with a massive £500!!  Until such time as the financial side has been sorted, please be advised that cheques should be made to "Wheels for All' and sent to the parent charity in Warrington at:

Cycling Projects,
Priory Court,
Buttermarket Street,
Warrington, WA1 2NP
Tel: 01925 234213

For further information please contact Ian Tierney who is the manager of both Cycling Projects and Wheels for All, on behalf of the Board of Trustees ..

Company limited by Guarantee Reg No 2618968 Reg. Charity No. 1003309 VAT No. 673 668294

        


Channel 4 Anchorman Jon Snow and former Bank of England Governor Lord George, are working in tandem with Lady Mary Holborow to support a new and unique South West charity.

12.05 - 27 October 2008

Recently a letter of support was received from a teacher at Doubletrees School in St. Blazey.  It reads as follows:

“Dear Wendy,

I am writing in interest to your proposed facility  "Wheels for all Centre" in Cambrose.

I currently work as a teacher at Doubletrees School and Hostel. We are a Special needs school, with around 80 pupils of all abilities. I run one afternoon session a week cycling with some of the more able children on the Sustran cycle paths around Eden.

My students get a huge joy from these cycling sessions, which boosts their self-esteem as well as fitness.  To be able to access this type of facility for wheelchair users and the less able would be fantastic. As a school and Hostel we would hugely benefit from such a facility.

Kind regards,

Matthew Wilmott”

Charlie says: “Cycling is a great activity and is not limited to the fully able bodied. The use of adapted machines at a dedicated Wheels for All Centre is proof that absolutely everyone can enjoy and benefit from the thrill of being on a bike. We can widen that experience to Cornwall and we are really looking forward to welcoming people who come to enjoy the experience.” 

Roj Knight says: “I took over Elm Farm with a mission to get as many people in Cornwall as possible on their bikes. That includes people with disabilities and Wheels for All is the perfect way to achieve that.”  

Independent Cycling Instructor Wendy Creed has been the driving force behind bringing Wheels for All to Cornwall. She says: “I’ve been in touch with a Lancashire based charity called Cycling Projects which has been running sessions for people with disabilities for a while.

Their head, Ian Tierney, advised me on how to go about it and I’m so excited that the project is taking off. But this is only the beginning and what we really need is money. The bikes are highly specialised and very expensive so really we’re relying on the generosity of the people of Cornwall, and business here too, to donate money to this worthy project.”   

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ENDS

Road Safety & Cycle Training incorporating Bikeability, taking cycling proficiency into the 21st century

Cycle training with Doubletrees SchooL

15.00 - 22 May 2008

14 pupils at Doubletrees School have had access to cycle training, as a result of a grant that has been given to Cornwall’s Schools Sports Partnership from the Youth Sports Trust.  £80,000 has come into county and been split between the 4 Schools Sports Partnerships that cover Cornwall.  As a result, 14 pupils from Doubletrees have been able to have Bikeability Level 2 training – the new national training scheme taking cycling proficiency into the 21^st century. 

Instructor Wendy Creed from Road Safety & Cycle Training said ‘I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with these students.  It has been extremely fulfilling and they also have enjoyed themselves.  I am currently working with Ian Tierney who is the founder of ‘Wheels for All’ and we are hoping to be able to open cycling up to everyone with special needs in whatever shape or form, within the county.

The instructors who will work with 'Wheels for All', the location and the premises are already in place, now it is just a question of funding the project and bringing in the specially adapted bikes so that there are no exceptions to the rule whatsoever.  I have already approached Lady Mary Holborow about it and like us, she believes this is a good idea., she also hopes to open the centre in the fullness of time subject to previous engagements and royal commitments.  There is no doubt it is the way forward and I have to say, it is these students’ individuality that puts the ‘special’ into special needs yet so often it creates fear and as a result they are not given the opportunities that the rest of us have, which is wrong. 

It is a shame that it cannot be incorporated into the Festival of Cycling at the end of June/beginning of July - that had been our hope and our specially invited guests would have included students from Doubletrees, Nancealverne, Pencalenick, Curnow and Foundation students from Truro College as well as other associated charities such as MIND, the Cornish Blind Association and Mencap day centres however once again, it seems that it is not to be.'

Ian Tierney from the Cycling Project said “We are excited to have the opportunity to expand the 'Wheels For All' network. We are always thrilled to encourage new participants in an activity that is fun and healthy. Cycling can be adapted so that everybody has the opportunity to engage with other community groups. There is currently no centre for disability cycling in Cornwall, this centre is a fantastic opportunity for the area.”

~ Ends ~

BIKE MAD MUM PEALS INTO TOWN

09:00 - 16 April 2008

Newquay Sports Centre with Cllr. Lambshead and Mary Murfin (CHSW), the End 2 End girls and again with Mary, the Mayor, former students and Si, our support driver after the sea mist came in

A mother of two has successfully completed a sponsored bicycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End raising hundreds of pounds for local charities together with a fellow instructor from Wales.

On her way down to the most westerly point in England, Cycling Instructor Wendy Creed, escorted in by Pat Smith and Janie Cooksley, (the original local End 2 End girls on their own anniversary of them setting off themselves two years ago,) briefly stopped in Newquay to meet mayor Cllr. Patrick Lambshead and other supporters at the Sports Centre.

"I wanted to stop in Newquay because I've worked with Newquay Juniors now for over 18 months, going over a couple of time a week", the keen cycling instructor explained.

She continued: "I help other local schools with cycling too and Newquay Juniors are considering putting cycle training back onto their timetable come the new academic year, as part of their PE lessons which is fantastic.  As a keen cyclist, I thought that if I was going to take on this challenge, it made sense to do it for charities such as Children's Hospice South West."

Mrs Creed, aged 50, says the length of the mainland Britain 'wasn't a bad ride at all'. She said "we did an average of 50 - 55 miles a day and were on the road for 19 days although we did stay with friends on the way down.  It was an amazing ride with only two horrendous days when it was cold, wet and miserable but there were also a couple of days when we use our helmets to play ping pong with the hail!"

The only way you can contribute now is via the main websites at G!I or go directly to CHSW or RNLI

BREAKDOWN, THEFT AND THE LACK OF A WELCOMING COMMITTEE DID NOT DISPIRIT CYCLISTS

09:00 - 10 April 2008

On their bikes from L to R are Wendy Creed, Simon Rollett, Ian Oats, Milly Marsh, Billy Ward
nearing the finish of their sponsored cycle at Lands Ends

Two cycling instructors pedalling from one end of the country to the other made it to Land's End, but to a much quieter reception than they had envisaged.

Wendy Creed, from Truro, and Milly Marsh, from Wales, arrived at the finishing point on Friday after a 1,000 mile trip hit by a number of misfortunes. They suffered a burst tyre, a petrol leak, the theft of their satellite navigation system and having to get the RAC to break into their back-up van because the keys were locked inside.

As they drove down from Camelford, a speeding van coming towards them took off their wing mirror, but they were helped out by Nigel Wiggett, of Bridge Bike Hire who loaned them a vehicle.

Even the end was not without incident, as Wendy had been expecting some of the children she had taught to join them both in Newquay on Thursday and Land's End on Friday.  It transpired that the parent sending out the information mixed up the dates, and directed the children to Newquay on Friday and Land's End on Saturday - a day late.

"The person who gave out the information will remain anonymous, but turned up with her two children at Land's End on Saturday, 24 hours after us," said Wendy.  "Never mind, these things happen and one has to smile about it after some of the more disastrous events of the trip," she laughed.

"However we were joined by Si Rollett and Billy Ward who like myself, are both students on the Sports Science Access course at Truro College with Roj Knight of the Bike Barn, Ian Oats from Penzance and Amy O'Loughlin and Laura Marshall from Exeter, who are also instructors joining us.  Paul and Jules Rollason of Mackrelbus Graphic Design in Falmouth acted as our welcoming committee., Paul having done the JoGLE himself in 2005."

Wendy was raising money for the Patch Adams MD appeal because her daughter has been in America for work experience with him. Others were riding for the Precious Lives Appeal and the RNLI.

The websites where you can donate are: www.justgiving.com/cycleend2end, www.justgiving.com/tcpreciouslivesappeal and www.patchadams.org 

~ Ends ~

CYCLING: WENDY CLOSE TO FINISHING LINE OF 1,000-MILE RIDE

Date : 02.04.08

Coming home across the M48 Severn Bridge cycle path, crossing into Cornwall and with Janie and Pat cycling the penultimate leg

Two cycle instructors who set off from John O'Groats three weeks ago are due to pedal into Cornwall today and will be stopping in some of its main towns.  Wendy Creed, from Truro, and Milly Marsh, from Wales, are getting near the end of their 1,000 mile ride for charity. They are due to arrive at Camelford at around 4pm today after cycling down from Barnstaple.

Pat Smith and Janie Cooksley, the former End 2 End Girls, are due to join them setting off from a spot just west of Camelford at 9am tomorrow and should be joined by others cycling for the Precious Lives Appeal. They are all due to arrive at Newquay Sports Centre at about noon, where Wendy is hoping pupils who have attended her cycle training classes will come to meet them.  Newquay mayor Pat Lambshead and Mary Murfin, from the Precious Lives Appeal, are also due to welcome them.  From Newquay they will head down the A3075, through Goonhavern towards Carland Cross, and then into Truro College.

The last leg of the journey will begin at Truro College at 10.15am on Friday when they will set off for Land's End. After a stop in Penzance at the Tesco store they aim to complete the journey at about 3pm.  Wendy is raising money for the Patch Adams MD appeal because her daughter has been in America for work experience with him.

Websites where you can donate are www.justgiving.com/cycleend2end, http://www.justgiving.com/tcpreciouslivesappeal or www.patchadams.org

BURST TYRE AND PETROL LEAK WON'T PUT OFF CYCLING PAIR

Date : 27.03.08

Crossing into England from Scotland, the Forge at Gretna and later on, crossing back into England again from Wales

A burst tyre, a petrol leak, the theft of their satellite navigation system and having to get the RAC to break into their back-up van because the keys were locked inside, are just four of the problems that have faced two cyclists who are heading to Cornwall for charity.

Cycle instructors Wendy Creed, from Truro, and Milly Marsh, from Wales, set off on their bikes from John O'Groats two weeks ago on the 1,000-mile journey to Land's End. They crossed the border into England on Tuesday of last week. The satellite navigation system was stolen when their car was parked for just an hour in Plymouth just before they left for Scotland, costing them £300, but that was not the end of their problems.

"The tyre on my bike exploded when I was parked outside a superstore," said Wendy. "Security staff heard the explosion and thought a shotgun had been discharged."

"Then we locked the keys inside the van and the RAC had to break into it. There was then trouble with a fuel coupling and it drifted to a halt on a roundabout. Again the RAC sorted it out."

Milly, 51, is riding for the RNLI's Train One, Save Many appeal to raise funds for the training of volunteer lifeboat crew. Wendy, 50, is supporting the work of Patch Adams MD, who is building a no-charge hospital in West Virginia.

Wendy and Milly hope to reach Barnstaple on Tuesday, April 1, and arrive in Cornwall the following day, stopping at Camelford overnight. They should be in Truro on April 3, after a stop at Newquay to meet the mayor, and arrive at Land's End the following day.

During their ride through Cornwall they should be joined by local cyclists raising money for the Precious Lives Appeal.

Wendy is raising money for the Patch Adams MD appeal because her daughter has been in America for work experience with him.

The websites where you can donate are www.justgiving.com/cycleend2end or www.patchadams.org

Those local cyclists who join them during their ride through Cornwall and the south west, will be doing so raising money for the Precious Lives Appeal which now has it's own JG page at http://www.justgiving.com/tcpreciouslivesappeal

~ Ends ~

CYCLING INSTRUCTORS IN 1,000-MILE CHARITY RIDE

09:00 - 21 February 2008

Two cycle instructors, one from Cornwall and one from Wales, are busy training to ride their bikes from John o'Groats to Land's End for charity. Wendy Creed from Truro and Graham "Milly" Marsh from Lampeter, South Wales, will set off on Tuesday, March 11, and hope to complete the 1,000-mile route a little more than three weeks later.

So who are we? Well Wendy is a cycle instructor in Cornwall and is at the moment studying for a Sports Science Access qualification, which will hopefully lead to a degree.  ‘Milly’, or Graham to give him his grown up name, is a cycle instructor in Wales and was formerly a psychiatric nurse. He recycles bicycles and also has Crazy Bikes, unusual designs of bike which don’t actually look like they’re rideable! Find out more at www.millypeds.co.uk

One is supporting the work of Patch Adams MD, who is building a no-charge hospital in West Virginia. The other is riding for the RNLI's Train One, Save Many appeal to raise funds for the training of the charity's volunteer lifeboat crew. Wendy, 50, and Milly, 51, are no spring chickens, but, as cycling instructors, they hope to safely ride an average 50 miles a day. The end-to-end challenge was Wendy's idea.

"But we do need help with both practical and financial support.  We are looking for companies that can provide items like bottled water and high energy snacks or contributions towards the fuel costs for the support vehicle or the overnight accommodation in youth hostels.  Ultimately, we would like to achieve a four figure sum for both Patch's G!I build and the RNLI." 

Wendy is raising money for Patch Adams MD's appeal to build the Gesundheit Medical School and Clinic because her daughter has been in America for work experience with him and is shortly going on a humanitarian clowning trip with Patch and friends too.  She faxed him for advice Easter Day 2006 in the morning, that afternoon the phone rang, it was Patch and since then Andee has been out every year to the land where it will all happen in West Virginia and last year, Wendy and her son joined her for a visitors weekend to get a good understanding for moments like this.

So how can you help? Well its simple really – either visit www.patchadams.org and click on the donate button to support the dream and help build the Gesundheit Institute's Clinic and Medical School, or follow the instructions to donate to the RNLI at http://www.justgiving.com/cycleend2end and give us the financial incentive to ride ‘End to End’ successfully.

Wendy and Milly hope to reach Barnstable on April 1st in the afternoon and cross the border into Cornwall the following day, April 2nd, stopping overnight at Camelford.  By April 3rd they should be in Truro via Newquay where Wendy and Milly have both taught.  They then make the final big push supported by Wendy's friends and fellow cycling instructors, lecturers and peers from Truro College on Friday 4th April and picking up more friends as they ride towards the finish line including the children that Wendy has worked with previously.

Those local cyclists who join them during their ride through Cornwall and the south west, will be doing so raising money for the Precious Lives Appeal which now has it's own JG page at http://www.justgiving.com/tcpreciouslivesappeal

Anyone interested in corporate sponsorship can call Wendy on 01872 240939.

Released 16 February 2008

    BikeRadar.com's internet article about Bikeability's big push? by Richard Peace

Bikeability, the official government cycling proficiency scheme, could be set to really take off, a year and a half after its official launch. 

The so-called national scheme has so far been tentatively rolled out – see www.BikeRadar.com ’s findings in this article – but Ruth Kelly’s recent announcement of £110 million extra cycling investment (of a total of £140 million) has the stated aim of providing cycle training for half a million children by 2012 and holds the potential to create an army of cycle instructors.

Bikeability, billed as the ‘cycling proficiency test for the 21st century’, began as a trial project in 2006, a joint effort from the Cyclists Touring Club and Cycling England. It is based around National Training Standards of three levels – basic control, getting out on quiet roads and full-on riding in all types of road conditions.  

There have been undoubted success stories.

Cycling Solutions are based in Liverpool and in their first year of operation trained 6,000 kids in just 9 months. According to the company's training manager Steve Fisher, Cycling Solutions is, "on target for training around 11,000 during the year ending March 2008. The numbers will increase next year."

Colin Langdon was instrumental in the formation of the company and formerly had experience with the CTC’s Cyclists’ Defence Fund.

They are actively looking for people interested in becoming accredited trainers. BikeRadar.com’s detailed trawl through the Bikeability website revealed Merseyside as a real training hotspot, with all local councils in the area able to offer full Bikeability training from Cycling Solutions.

Lone cyclists can get accreditation as Bikeability instructors too though. Wendy Creed established Road Safety and Cycle Training in the Newquay area of Cornwall and has been involved in the Bikeability scheme from its formative stages. Her unbridled enthusiasm comes over when talking to www.BikeRadar.com .

"The whole training process is spot on," she said. "I had to pay for my training but there are bursaries now which should open the process up to more people. I’ve been working with classes at Newquay Juniors for 18 months on level 1 and level 2 courses and have found it’s just what the kids both need and enjoy."

Some Bikeability providers have been a bit more critical of the process. Iain Taylor of Gremlins, Oldham-based Bikeability providers, commented: "Two main problems are the amount of paperwork necessary – parental consents, risk assessments and the like – and having to go out and persuade the schools a couple of months in advance to make time for cycling in their busy schedules."  

Our analysis of the Bikeability website showed almost half of the local highway authority areas detailed were still not accredited.  

The £140 million should more than help fill these gaps. CTC’s Senior Cycle Training Officer, Greg Woodford, confirmed this to Bikeradar.com

"I can’t see any reason why the target of training half a million kids by 2012 shouldn’t be achieved using this new money and the huge enthusiasm for the scheme within the cycling community," he said. "Although the millions haven’t yet been allocated, the main thrust will be to get level 2 training available en masse, to all kids want it right across England. Personally I’d then like to see more resources go into Level 3 funding (currently not directly subsidised by government funds) and if Bikeability could get onto the National Curriculum that would also help hugely."

There are still a few training bursaries available for those wishing to become accredited instructors and more bursary funding should be available in the 2008-2009 school year. See the CTC website for more detail. 

~ Ends ~

Released 04 February 2008

Launch of End-to-End Challenge together with an appeal for corporate sponsorship ..

Tortoises not hares – the middle aged cyclists going end to end for the RNLI

Two cycle instructors, one from Cornwall and one from Wales, are busy training to ride their bikes from John O’Groats to Lands End for charity. Wendy Creed from Truro and Graham ‘Milly’ Marsh from Lampeter will set off on Tuesday 11 March and hope to complete the 1,000-mile route a little more than three weeks later. One is riding for the RNLI’s Train one, save many appeal to raise funds for the training of the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew. The other is supporting the work of Patch Adams MD who is building a no-charge hospital in West Virginia.  Meanwhile Wendy's daughter will be going to Haiti on a Humanitarian Clowning Trip with Patch and friends.

Wendy and ‘Milly’ are not spring chickens. In fact they are both over 50 but as cycling instructors they hope to safely and confidently ride an average 50 miles a day. The End-to-End Challenge was Wendy’s idea:

‘I’ve always wanted to do this; it’s been an ambition if you like. I decided to do it for charity because that provides a real incentive to achieve a successful ride. But we do need help with both practical and financial support. We are looking for companies that can provide items like bottled water and high energy snacks, or contributions towards the fuel costs for the support vehicle or the overnight accommodation in youth hostels.’

'We have already been very fortunate in some practical help we have received and any companies who do support us will be added to the website as well as promoted in any paperwork we issue and to date include Hot Pursuit Cycles in Totnes, BikeEye in Milton Keynes, Pills2U from Hockley who have the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB Charter  and have provided support bandages as we are not taking any chances and QDP Sports and Leisure from Wellington.  Last but not least, Ultra Magic Balloons who will come down to Cornwall and do tethered rides for a small charge, when we can find a site for them to operate on.'

‘The more support we get, the more we can give to the RNLI and Patch Adams. Ultimately we would like to achieve a four figure sum for both so please visit the two websites where you can donate; http://www.justgiving.com/cycleend2end for RNLI donations or http://www.patchadams.org/home.htm to support the Gesundheit Institute’s work. 

En route initially they had hoped to take time off at Hadrian's Wall and Nantwich Canal Centre which literally has a lift for canal boats going from one level to another however then Wendy was asked to be a guest speaker at the CTC's Cycle Training and Education conference in Bath's Guildhall just after Easter which meant everything had to be bought forward and it would be the last leg from Chepstow onwards, when they can ease up a little so as still to arrive on 4th April.

Also once we get back into the south west and have friends riding with us, they have opted to ride for the Children's Hospice South West and there is another Just Giving page supporting the BBC Radio Cornwall and countywide appeal for the Precious Lives campaign at http://www.justgiving.com/tcpreciouslivesappeal.

Notes to editors

1. You are invited to meet Wendy Creed and ‘Milly’ Marsh on Tuesday 12 February in Newquay where they will be conducting a cycle training session. Please meet at the junction of Tretheras Road and Whitegate at 11.45 am.

2. The RNLI is a registered charity that continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income, so it can provide its volunteer lifeboat crews, and lifeguards, with the best possible lifeboats, equipment and training.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Media Relations Manager for the south, on 07786 668847 or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer, on 07920 818807.

Cycle Training: A Piece of Cornish Heavy Cake!

Wendy Creed, Cornwall’s pocket rocket of Cycle Training (Principal Instructor for Road Cycle and Safety Training) continues to do great things for the County’s budding cyclists.

On August 31^st, with much pazzaz, the County wide launch of Bikeability took place at Newquay Sports Centre. Wendy managed to attract an impressive VIP presence, including:

·         Lord George, former Governor of the Bank of England
·         Lady Mary Holborow (Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall)
·         Mayor of Newquay
·         Deputy Mayor of Truro
·         Philip Darnton of Cycle England
·         Rob Fuller of CTC
·         John Franklin, Author of CycleCraft
·         Lots went on to entertain the crowds, including a MTB demo, crazy bikes tryout, rickshaw rides and a display of children demonstrating Bikeability control skills

To see some of the action go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uEHgs8NoWs:
For a Cornish Heavy/Hevva Cake recipe, go to:
http://www.jetemb.com/page.php?p=cornish_heavy_cake

 SUSTRANS Connect2 Needs Your Vote!

CONNECT 2 WILL REVITALISE WALKING AND CYCLING IN 79 COMMUNITIES across the UK by creating new routes for the journeys we all make every day. Crossings and bridges will be built over busy roads, railway lines and rivers, linking into new networks of local paths, to get you to where you want to go, so you will be able to travel in a healthy and environmentally-friendly way to the shops, school, work, and the park or to see family and friends,

BUT ONLY IF CYCLISTS VOTE FOR SUSTRANS’ £50M CONNECT2 BID, this December. Connect2 is up against schemes from three other organisations, for the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmark’s: The People’s Millions competition grant of up to £50m. A TV public vote - expected to take place on ITV1 in early December 2007 – will decide the final winner.

·         Online voting will open at 9.00am on Monday 26 November 2007
·         Telephone voting will take place over weekend 7th-10th December 2007

If you want Connect2 to win - please go to:
http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/  
and register today so you can be sent a reminder to vote for Connect2.
or text 'Connect2' to 80010

The Antony Lord Foundation in association with Road Safety & Cycle Training

Released 04 October 2007

JON SNOW becomes Patron of the Foundation

We have just received confirmation from Jon Snow, the recently appointed new President of the CTC and Channel 4 News Anchorman, whom Jo met in April at the CTC Annual Dinner, that he is happy to be named as a Patron of the Antony Lord Foundation.

His reason very simply, is he cannot imagine what Jo has been through as indeed, none of us can but responded when approached saying "I’m proud to be associated with the Antony Lord Foundation. Antony was killed riding a bicycle. His mother’s determination to persuade other children to get cycle training was a courageous response to her unimaginable loss. As a cyclist and the father of daughters who cycle, I regard what she has achieved with gratitude."

Wendy said "We had no idea Jon would even be at the dinner let alone making the presentation. I knew he was the CTC's new president but for the same reasons as we won't see much of him when we have a fundraiser, I didn't really expect to see him that night either - and it was an award which in some ways, should have been Jo's for having the courage to do what she has done in the wake of Antony's demise and it is for exactly that reason, that it is on the wall in her living room."

How often Jon would be able to make it down here is another matter and given his professional responsibilities, it certainly won't be something that happens regularly but we are grateful to him for his support and permission to use his name.

  and

Released 05 September 2007 (Cornish Guardian) ~ 06 September 2007 (West Briton)

BIKEABILITY SAFETY SCHEME GETS GOING

Cornish children were urged to get on their bikes with the county-wide launch of a new national standard for cycling training in Newquay.  Dubbed 'Cycling Proficiency for the 21st Century' the Bikeability scheme was unveiled in the town with calls for it to become part of the school curriculum.

The chairman of Cycling England, Philip Darnton, who introduced the event at Newquay Sports Centre, explained how the new scheme will work.

He said: "Bikeability is a much more comprehensive training programme than the cycling proficiency one as it has three levels rather than just one. It builds on the basic skills of controlling a bike and adds actual road training skills and builds confidence."

After presenting the badges, which are colour coded red, orange and green like traffic lights, Mr Darnton said he also hoped that the new scheme would help reduce carbon emissions by reducing the number of school runs.

He said: "20% of all the cars on the road at 8.50am are travelling less than two-and-a-half miles and contain just one adult. We hope that by equipping children with the skills they need to be safe on the roads we can cut car usage and help prevent further climate change.

"It's a real problem because 40% of all the miles covered by mothers in their cars are done ferrying their children around."

The scheme is being supported by central government with £1.5 million funding this year and another £3 million in 2008.  It is designed for children between 10 and 12 years old and Mr Darnton wants it to become compulsory at schools.

He said: "Swimming is part of the school curriculum so I see no reason why cycling should not be treated in the same way.  We want children to have real road sense by the time they are 13 and that is for the benefit of all pedestrians and pavement users as well.  I started life travelling in a pushchair and I may end up in a wheelchair so we are all affected by how people use the roads."

The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow, was joined by her deputy and former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord George, to help promote the programme.

There was a mountain bike demonstration, a selection of 'crazy bikes' for children to try out and guests were offered the chance to take a ride in a rickshaw as well as the Bikeability bike control skills demonstration.

'If it saves just one life, it will be successful'

Supporters of the new Bikeability scheme hope it will better equip youngsters for the dangers which lie in store on the county's busy roads. 

Joanne Parkington, whose teenage son Antony Lord died in a cycling accident said that if just one life can be saved, then the scheme could be considered a success.  Following Antony's death, Joanne set up a foundation to campaign for compulsory training and feels that helmets should become compulsory.

She said "Kids don't generally like wearing helmets either because they don't have them or because they think they are not cool.  We get them at cost from Raleigh who sponsor us and given them away free at our events to try and encourage more people to wear them."

Despite calls for the wearing of protective headgear to be made compulsory, Cycling England's Chairman, Phillip Darnton thinks that the legislation would be unworkable.

"It's almost impossible to enforce this type of legislation in the same way that enforcing the law regarding the use of mobiles whilst driving is nigh on impossible," he said.  "Cycle safety is a lot more than just wearing a helmet and the problem is often more to do with what people do in their cars."

Anyone interested in running a scheme should visit www.bikeability.org.uk

Released 05 September 2007

TAKING THE CYCLE ...

Children across the Newquay area are being urged to get on their bikes as part of a new scheme.  Cycling England launched a new Bikeability initiative to encourage children to get back in the saddle as a special event held at Newquay Sports Centre last Friday, 31st August.

Newquay Mayor Cllr. Patrick Lambshead was also present and had the opportunity to show off some of his dubious cycling skills.  He said "I was delighted to be on hand to represent Newquay at the launch of this event."  He went onto say "The scheme is an improvement on the old cycling proficiency award and will help to raise standards of safety."

The scheme which has been introduced following research which reveals that there has been a 50% drop in cycling in the space of one generation.

Phillip Darnton, speaking on behalf of Cycling England said "We are committed to our vision of national standard cycle training being available for every child with a bike.  Bikeability is working to spread the message of cycle safety."

~ ENDS ~

Released FRIDAY 31^st AUGUST 2007

KEEPING CORNWALL’S CHILDREN CYCLING SAFELY

BIKEABILITY GOES LIVE IN CORNWALL

A revolution in cycling training is about to take place in Cornwall thanks to a new scheme aimed at getting children back on their bikes. Lady Mary Holborow JP, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall together with Lord  Eddie George of St. Tudy GBE PC DL have been involved launching Bikeability in Cornwall earlier today, a project aimed at taking the cycling proficiency test into the 21^st century. The plan is to provide all Year 5 and 6 children in Cornwall the opportunity to do cycle training by 2009.

Cycling England is working with local and national organisations to support the aim of Bikeability to provide children in Cornwall with the on-road skills they need to handle modern traffic conditions. Recent research carried out by Cycling England shows a 50% decline in cycling in the space of just one generation. Over half (51%) of mums questioned say they did their Cycling Proficiency or cycled regularly to school as a child, now only a quarter (25%) of today’s children have received formal training, and 91% never cycle to school.* The main reasons cited by parents are fears around safety – although statistics show children are less likely to be involved in an accident while cycling than they were 10 years ago.*

Bikeability in Cornwall will be led by Wendy Creed of Road Cycle and Safety Training. She was the first instructor in the county to have her training scheme accredited to Bikeability standards and as Steve Garidis of Cycling England explains, she also helped with a trial:

‘RSCT were heavily involved in the 6 month ‘gearing up’ process to prepare for the national launch of Bikeability.  It was important for us to have an idea of how the needs of an independent instructor would differ to those of an established organisation.  RSCT was selected to be involved because of Wendy Creed’s obvious commitment to quality cycle training and her work with the Antony Lord Foundation and we would welcome more instructors like her becoming part of the Bikeability award scheme.”

Wendy Creed, Principal Instructor for RSCT says the accreditation is an honour for her, and for the children of Cornwall:

‘I was amazed when the request to gear up came but was only too happy to be involved.  The children that I have worked with during that period were all excited about being part of the trial and the parents whom I’ve worked with, are all very enthusiastic about the whole process as well, especially now there are three different levels so that all age groups can participate, it is no long just for those about to go to senior school!’ 

‘My youngest clients were aged 5 and my eldest a wonderful lady who is 60 years young and within 2 hours, despite having never even sat on a bicycle before, had gained her Level 1 certificate. Another, a 53 year young grandmother who within two hours, cycled from Wadebridge to Padstow and back.  At the other end of the scale a 7 year old whose stabilisers I took off at the first session, suddenly found the courage to put her feet onto the pedals and now there is no stopping her.  More recently I discovered another young lady in her teens who may well to on to become the youngest Assistant Instructor to qualify when she turns 16, who is a natural and has achieved all 3 levels with ease.’

 Amongst those supporting Bikeability is Channel 4 News presenter, Jon Snow who is President of CTC – the UK’s national cyclists organisation:

‘I am hugely enthusiastic about cycling, there’s hardly a day goes by when I don’t ride. I therefore want to play a part in making cycling safer and more accessible and getting more young people riding safely.’

 The scheme has also won the backing of Richard Fish, Director of Planning, Transportation and Estates at Cornwall County Council:

‘Bikeability is a positive step forward for cycle training, with the launch in Cornwall bringing good news for cyclists. Bikeability will operate separately to, but compliment, Cornwall County Council’s voluntary cycle training scheme, Cyclewise. It is an exciting time for cycle training in Cornwall.’

Also the CTC’s new 3 tier off road scheme is to be launched at the same event and Cornwall MTB, (Mountain Bike Training) will be headed up by Steve Rowsell who is the CTC’s first MTB instructor in Cornwall to qualify as well as being a Bikeability instructor himself and has just been invited by the Forestry Commission to work with them next year on events in Cardingham Woods.

Kevin Mayne, Director of the CTC had this to add:

“CTC is committed to ‘Our Vision’ of National Standard Cycle Training being available for every child with a bike and an extensive programme for adults as well, additionally off road training to accompany it.  Bikeabilty is now established as the popular and attractive branding for the standards and believe it is really working to spread the reach towards our vision.  We welcome the Cornwall launch as further opportunity to spread the reach still further and we look forward to continuing our support for RSCT. “

The days' events (between 8am and 1.30pm) consisted of ....

10am:               -  Radio interviews with BBC Radio Cornwall on site on the James Churchfield show

                                -  Welcome from Phillip Darnton and Lady Mary Holborrow JP, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall

                        -  Introduction to Bikeability (On Road Cycling), by Philip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England.

-  Explaining the new Off Road training scheme and how the two systems compliment each other by Rob Fuller,
   Cycling Development Manager for the Cycle Touring Club (CTC), and a member of the Cycle Training Standards Board
-  Presentations by Lady Mary Holborow,  Rob Fuller and Philip Darnton to some of the children and an adult (it's for anyone after all)
   who have gained various standard levels under the Bikeability scheme to be followed up by ….
-  Off road skills training demonstration just below the Sports Centre

-  On road skills training demonstration on the Tretherras tennis courts to which Lady Mary Holborow and Lord George
   travelled in a cycle rickshaw
-  The Mayor of Newquay trying out various 'crazy bikes' (weird and wonderful but simply constructed recycled bikes, some with
   old supermarket trolley wheels on) as well as the children having a go
-  The raffle for a bike provided by Clive Mitchell Cycles of Truro which was then drawn by Lord George thus rounding off the event
   with Lady Mary Holborow and Lord George subsequently leaving by rickshaw to their car

-  ITV West Country News cameras then filmed and all things being equal, it should be shown we believe, Monday 3rd September 2007

   on the local news bulletins
 

 *The Cycling England research was provided by Populus, who interviewed 519 mothers, all of whom had children between the ages of 7 and 15, over the internet between Thursday 22 and Tuesday 27 February 2007.  All respondents lived in England. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

*According to the Transport Statistics Great Britain, 2006 edition, 48 children were killed while cycling in 1995. This figures had decreased to 20 by 2005. The DfT’s Cycling Personal Travel Fact Sheet shows that in 2005 the average resident makes 14 cycle trips per year, and travels a distance of 36 miles. However, among those who cycle regularly, it is the key mode of transport, accounting for a fifth of all trips.

Released : 29.08.07

~ ENDS ~
 

Road Safety & Cycle Training, it’s Mountain Bike Division and the Antony Lord Foundation wholeheartedly welcome the 21^st Century version of what most parents will remember as Cycling Proficiency and will be hosting the Cornish launch of both Bikeability and the new CTC Mountain Bike Training Scheme, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall later in the year.

Bikeability GRANT INFO AND HOW THE Funding will work

This funding and Bikeability training opens it up to all children – currently run in Newquay it works running Level 1 training over 4 or 5 sessions depending on the season with Year 3 and Year 4 pupils in the playground, building their bike control skills so they are prepared for on road training and capable of being able to look behind and signal etc. as will be required of them in real terms out on the road. 

CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation

Released 2nd May 2007

Local cyclist is Southwest’s Volunteer of the Year

The work of thousands of local volunteers that helped to promote cycling in 2006 has this week been recognised by CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation, and Truro cyclist Wendy Creed has been named South West England Volunteer of the Year.

Chair of CTC Council, Jill Kieran said “The contribution made by volunteers on behalf of their fellow cyclists is remarkable, without them so much of what we do would not be possible. Wendy deserves every recognition for her extraordinary energy in promoting cycling.”

Wendy moved to Cornwall just four years ago and has established herself as one of the most energetic personalities promoting cycling in the county.

As well as starting her own cycle training organisation she has actively supported other cycling activities in the area. In particular she has been a major contributor to the Anthony Lord Foundation which aims to teach children across Cornwall how to ride their bikes safely after 13-year-old Anthony was killed in a collision with car on his bike.  She is also planning and organising an End to End Ride for various charitable organisations.

Wendy has also actively supported CTC's campaigning positions on issues such as cycle helmets and cycle paths in the face of considerable local opposition. By promoting the benefits of training cyclists to deal with their environment, she has gained a considerable public profile for cycling.

As a result, Wendy was also involved in ‘gearing up’ for the new national cycle training standard Bikeability from September 2006 until March 2007 and since has gained her Bikeability scheme accreditation. She is planning to work with local partners to start delivering CTC off road cycle training too.

In March of this year she was also awarded an Honoured Citizen of Truro award for her work for the RNLI using cycling for fundraising.

The CTC Award Banquet was held in Guildford at their Annual Dinner and Prize Giving with the awards presented to the recipients by Jon Snow, CTC President and Channel 4 Broadcaster.

For further details of the extraordinary voluntary work carried out by all the winners, go to http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4820

~ Ends ~

Friday, 23 March 2007, 11:38 GMT

Road users in Cornwall have raised concerns over the condition of the county's roads. Drivers have said many roads are in urgent need of repair, while cyclists fear the increase in potholes is putting people's safety at risk.

But Cornwall County Council's highways department said the government had cut its budget for repairs. By reducing the budget from £13m to £11m, highways said it had been forced to abandon some preventative work. A spokesman said some road works had been suspended, while highways concentrated on emergency repairs.

Budget assessment:  A survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance has said there are nearly one million pot holes across England and Wales.

Wendy Creed, a cycling instructor from Truro, said she was angry that some of the county's limited repair budget appeared to be wasted by sections of recently completed road works being lifted and redone.

She told BBC News that potholes were a major issue because they were extremely hazardous to cyclists. "One of three things happen. A cyclist can go into a pothole without seeing and come off the bike. "The bike frame can be damaged and the third possibility is that the cyclist swerves into the road. Unlike at a junction, in that situation you don't have the luxury of checking behind you."

A Department for Transport spokesman said the decision to reduce Cornwall's budget was based on assessing each area's need. He said Cornwall's roads were better than many other areas and added that the budget had increased by £1m per year since 2001.


 

Sancha's accident was bought to the attention of Wendy Creed, principal instructor of Road Safety and Cycle Training, which runs Bikeability courses, the modern day Cycling Proficiency, by a cyclist friend who witnessed the accident.

Wendy is also involved with the Antony Lord Foundation, set up by Antony's mother, Joanne, following the death of her 13-year-old son in February 2005.

Antony of St Columb Major, sustained serious head injuries after his BMX bike collided with a car near the Halloon roundabout.  By coincidence, Joanne, a trained First Aider and her husband, Nigel, were first on the scene as they drove home along the A39.  In the absence of the emergency services, Joanne stopped to help and found herself administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the roadside.

Upon hearing of the accident in Falmouth, Wendy offered her services free of charge to Sancha, her two younger brothers, James aged 12 and 10-year-old Adam and her younger sister, 8-year-old Kerry.

"Thankfully the lass walked away*, said Wendy.  "I work with Joanne Lord to try and stop any more Antonys'.  I really don't want to have to deal with another fatality."

Mrs Matthews is grateful for Wendy's offer of proper training for her children.  "Kids are not taught to ride their bikes properly any more," she said.  "I think this training is going to do them all some good."

"Sancha loves her bike.  She rides it to school sometimes, goes out to Budock Church and has just done a sponsored bike ride.  She has not had any formal training though."

Anyone wanting to learn more about Bikeability courses should call Wendy on 01872 240939 or check out the website at www.bikeability.org.uk

A new Bikeability website – www.bikeability.org.uk  – has also been launched to update on news about the initial six month trial and national roll out in 2007.

THE TALL BIKE COASTAL TOUR OF BRITAIN 2006
http://www.tallbiketourbritain.com/index.htm

   
Left and centre: Gethan Jones on the BP set with the bikes and Ed and Will with Lady Carew Pole outside her home, Antony House on 18th April 2006
 

On 1st April 2006, Will and Ed Stevens left the gates of Buckingham Palace at 1pm and rode east along the south bank of the river Thames.  On 2nd September 2006, they rode west along the north bank, returning to the Palace at 2pm.

During the five months in between, the brothers travelled 6,000 miles around the entire coastline of Britain (six times the distance of Land's End to John O'Groats).  This giant loop was pedalled seven feet from the ground on a pair of Tall Bikes.

Golooksee at http://www.tallbiketourbritain.com/index.htm

DISCLAIMER:  Whilst every reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy of information provided on both this page and website, we cannot be held responsible for any errors in or omissions from the given text