2020
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State for Transport Over the last year more and more of us have been pleased to be able to leave our homes and go for a cycle or a walk and at the Department for Transport we recognise we have a once in a generation chance to accelerate what we all know as “active travel.” Last year the Prime Minister launched our bold strategy to reinforce this: “Gear Change”, and one of the most important elements within it was a pledge to renew our commitment of cycle training for every child and every adult who wants it. With over 3.5 million children already benefitting from Bikeability, we are now able to offer the new Family course developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the pleasures as a Minister is getting to see the programme in action. In between lockdowns I was able to visit Kislingbury Primary School to see children in Year 6 getting their Bikeability certificates. Witnessing the excitement and confidence that learning this vital skill gave them demonstrated to me once again the impact that quality training delivers. I joined the children for a Dr Bike session learning how to fix a puncture. Vital knowledge like this extends their confidence further to become life-long cyclists. I also had the pleasure of judging the Bikeability Trust and Frog Bikes summer family cycling challenge; seeing families rediscover the joy and health benefits of cycling shows our ambition to unleash a nation of cyclists is on track. In this year of unprecedented challenges, seeing how the Bikeability Trust, grant recipients, training providers and Bikeability tnstructors have followed COVID-19 guidance and worked together to train as many children as possible fills me with pride. Our investment in Bikeability is integral in helping develop the next generation of cyclists. I am grateful to the Trust Board and staff team who have worked tirelessly with Department officials throughout this last year to ensure Bikeability continues to deliver our vision to increase cycling. As we seek to scale up operations to offer Bikeability to every child by 2025 I look forward with the expectation of seeing more and more people enjoying the freedom and joy of cycling. FOREWORDS The Bikeability Trust’s vision is to ensure everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life. The Trust aims to make Bikeability the leading programme for cycle training. 2
Alison Hill, Chair of Trustees 2020 has been a year like no other. And like everyone else the wonderful, committed people delivering the Bikeability programme have had to adapt and change to the demands of lockdown, school closures, social distancing, and the inevitable changes and alterations to delivery and funding arrangements that resulted. The Bikeability Trust itself has responded and supported the Bikeability industry as it adapted to the new circumstances. In 2020, Paul Robison left the Trust and we appointed Emily Cherry to the role of Executive Director to bring fresh insight and a range of skills and experience beyond the world of cycling. Balancing the development of our future ambitions alongside stabilising the day to day has been testing, but the team have faced this unprecedented time with confidence. The board is grateful to the team for their commitment and energy in supporting the delivery of the Bikeability programme. We also appreciate how the whole Bikeability industry has pulled together to ensure children can still access training. Continuing to see the stories of children completing their Bikeability is the joy we have all needed throughout 2020. Over the last year the Bikeability board, like so many others, has gone virtual. We said goodbye to Martin Porter, Sonya Hurt and Zsolt Schuller, all founder board members, but were delighted to recruit two new board members, Imran Hussain and John Jackson. With Emily’s steer the Board has agreed an ambitious new strategy which will shape our direction to 2025. We will focus on ensuring the Bikeability Trust team have the resources and support to enable 5 million more children and thousands more families take up vital Bikeability training. The team and board will without doubt adapt with energy and resilience in this changeable world, and our vision of ensuring that everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life will guide all we do. Phillip Darnton, Honorary Patron Just about 90 years ago, when almost everyone got about by bicycle, the Government was urged to add learning to ride a bike to the school curriculum. That way, it was argued, there would never be a generation that lost the ability to cycle. A quarter of a century later in 1958, a national basic training programme called “Cycling Proficiency” was introduced to encourage primary school children to learn to ride. After decades of decline, however, in 2005 Government began to recognise the importance and value of cycling as a convenient means of getting about locally, and started “Bikeability”. Bikeability has been continuously but modestly funded to allow just about half of primary school children to start to become cyclists. It is still a postcode lottery for schools, and 8 lessons definitely isn’t a competent rider, even on quieter roads. It fell far short of our ambition that “every child should have the opportunity to learn to ride”. To achieve this basic objective, and to eliminate the risk of a generation lost to knowing how to ride, Government has at last committed to funding Bikeability training for all primary school-age children. It’s a commitment made last summer in the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” document, and backed with funding pledged for the next 4 years. It is hugely significant. And never has it been more timely. In 2020, sales of kids’ bikes exceeded 1.2 million, almost 30% higher than any year in the past decade. Children love to cycle, and once they’ve learnt, they have a skill for life. It’s the first careful change from being dependent to becoming independent – where to go, how to get about, meeting friends. Bikeability is so much more than basic training – it’s a rite of passage. I have been involved with Bikeability from its start and have the pleasure of being Patron of the Bikeability Trust. I’m delighted that, after so many years of lobbying, Government is now going to fund the Bikeability Trust to be able to offer every child the chance to realise this life skill. In fact, it makes you wonder why, 90 years later, learning to ride a bike still isn’t on the school curriculum. 3
Influence We share our evidence of the impact of cycle training across a variety of sectors (transport, education, environment, health and leisure). Efficiency Our delivery programme offers value for money and is delivered in an economic and efficient way. Child focussed We deliver cycle training to both children and adults, but the majority of delivery is helping children learn the life skill of cycling. The Bikeability Trust’s Vision is to ensure everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life. we reviewed our vision in 2020 and launched our new 2025 strategy which aims to ensure Bikeability is the leading programme for cycle training by: Bikeability – A Year under COVID-19 See Page 6 See Page 22 See Page 14 4
It is through these aims that our 2020 Annual Review is focussed on telling the story of how Bikeability has risen to the challenge of the pandemic and continued to reach as many children as possible. Collaboration We work with stakeholders, partners and commercial organisations to achieve our vision and ensure Bikeability is a household name. Inclusivity We take action to reduce barriers to participation and ensure that anyone who wishes to access Bikeability cycle training is able to. bikeability.org.uk See Page 10 See Page 26 5
Responded to the increase in family cycling during lockdown with a ‘stop-gap’ series of Essential Cycling Skills videos with hints and tips for parents about riding together as a family. bikeability.org.uk THE TRUST AIMS TO MAKE BIKEABILITY THE LEADING PROGRAMME FOR CYCLE TRAINING BY ENSURING IT IS CHILD FOCUSSED: WE DELIVER CYCLE TRAINING TO BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS, BUT THE MAJORITY OF DELIVERY IS HELPING CHILDREN LEARN THE LIFE SKILL OF CYCLING. In 2020 the Bikeability Trust: CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO CHILD FOCUSSED Launched a new suite of resources - Tools for Schools – a wide selection of curriculum linked materials schools can use to excite and engage both children, and parents about doing Bikeability. 6
Ran a competition with our partner, Frog Bikes to encourage families to cycle more by sharing their #CycleMore cycling adventures on social media. Piloted a new Bikeability Family training course. Reviewed our safeguarding policies and approach, securing access to NSPCC Safeguarding training for the Bikeability industry. 7
It was an honour to help choose the winner of the #CycleMore2020 photo competition and I’m also delighted to see the introduction of Bikeability Family into the Bikeability programme. This will help to ensure that whole households benefit from the opportunity of cycle training – not just children. It also supports our longer term vision of ensuring that every adult and child who wants cycle training, has the opportunity to participate.” Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State for Transport TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS. • 37,593 downloads of resources (Sept – Dec). • Featured in key education journals, plus The Times & The Guardian advertorials. • Core resources for the Bike to School Week 2020 campaign. • Training providers said the tools helped schools recognise the value of Bikeability and create wider curriculum links. 60+ HIGH QUALITY FROG BIKE COMPETITION ENTRIES. Andy, Head of Marketing for Cycle Confident and BikeRight!: “It has been useful to have resources to share from the Bikeability Trust, such as the letters for schools and headteachers, which we used, and the Tools for Schools resources. We have hosted those on our website for people to download during the pandemic.” 45 PRACTICE MATTERS PHYSICAL EDUCATION MATTERS – SUMMER 2020 TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS We know cycling is more than only a life skill: it also provides an opportunity for young people to develop physical activity habits for life and to develop social skills, resilience, perseverance and independence, all of which are required for life. Therefore, at the Bikeability Trust, we have launched a new suite of resources for schools to increase take-up of and preparations for Bikeability, the popular cycling training programme for children. The resources, which can be found on a dedicated section of the trust’s website called Tools for Schools, will support schools at all stages of the journey to ensure children are engaged and ready for the course. Additionally, they will help schools to encourage cycling after the course to reap the benefits for pupils and the wider community. Developed in consultation with schools, Tools for Schools meets various school needs, from answering frequently asked questions, providing awareness-raising posters and sharing case studies from schools successfully using Bikeability through to curriculum-supporting resources designed for the classroom or whole school projects (Early Years to Key Stage 2). All of these resources are easily downloadable from the Bikeability website. The Tools for Schools range includes: • school information leaflets and posters: highlighting the whole school impact of Bikeability • teacher guides: helping to answer common questions • templates: supporting the smooth organisation of training (e.g. consent letters) • PowerPoint presentations: raising awareness • posters: inspiring pupils • case studies: showcasing Bikeability in action • curriculum-linked resources: providing creative, flexible learning resources for staff. There are also some Family Fun resources which can be used to engage families in their children’s Bikeability journey: Bikeability activities, challenges and puzzles to use at home. BIKEABILITY Bikeability is the government’s national cycle training programme. Cycling Proficiency started in 1950, as part of the huge post-war cycling boom, and was often taught by the local police. It began to decline in the 1980s and by the 1990s few children were being given the opportunity to take part. To remedy this, the National Standard for Cycle Training, overseen by the Department for Transport (DfT), was agreed in 2005 by over 20 organisations and Bikeability was launched in 2007 in England. Since then more than three million children have received Bikeability training, and the scheme’s capacity has gone from 10,000 places to 410,000 every year. Around half of all Year 6 students take part in Bikeability each year. The programme is managed by the charity The Bikeability Trust and delivered in partnership with local councils. In many areas the training is contracted out to specialist training companies and, in others, the local authority manages the training itself. A quality assurance process was introduced in 2012 to guarantee high quality teaching and today there are 2,750 instructors who are trained, registered and paid to deliver Bikeability. These instructors work through 340 registered providers, including independent businesses, local authorities and school sports partnerships. All training providers are registered and all instructors have a national qualification, ensuring the standard is consistent across the country. The teaching is based on the UK’s National Standard for Cycle Training – a complete guide to cycling on the nation’s roads. The standard has been devised to work for all abilities and all levels of experience, on any type of bicycle, everywhere cycling is allowed, in all weather and traffic conditions, and at any time of day Isobel Stoddart BIKEABILITY TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS 37,593 downloads bikeability.org.uk THE IMPACT THIS MADE: Ella’s first cycle ride, be brave, join in, keep up, slow down, stop and listen, mind out!, swans with cygnets, speed up, look at me, proud Dad, happy Grandad, people waving, what’s a barge?, trees make cool, water makes light, flowers, summer smells, count the butterflies, picnic in a pannier, let’s go!, together, off on my own, leading the way. Juliet Dyer’s Winning Entry Poem: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD 8
50 FAMILIES COMPLETED THE BIKEABILITY FAMILY PILOT COURSE. REVIEWED THE TRUST’S CORE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN AND QUALITY OF DELIVERY. These sessions provided an excellent foundation on which we can continue to practice our cycling as a family. It helped to improve our confidence cycling on the roads. Very well experienced, professional and friendly trainers. Many thanks.” Bikeability Family pilot participant Andy Milbourne, Trustee This year we have taken some time to strengthen the Trust’s approach to safeguarding. The central staff team have had safeguarding training, we’ve negotiated a discount on NSPCC training for whole Industry, and as lead trustee, I’ve also renewed my training so I can hold the team to account. COVID-19 has brought into sharp light the role of schools in safeguarding, and we are grateful for all the teaching staff who help us deliver Bikeability safely. Training providers cannot deliver Bikeability without the support of the whole school community, and that means robust policies and procedures for reporting a concern about any child is vital. It’s a step forward that the Trust staff team are checking grant recipients and training providers have robust procedures in place. As a member of the Bikeability Effectiveness Advisory Group, I regularly get to hear providers talk about issues around quality, development and safeguarding. Being in personal contact with training providers, assessors and instructors improves my ability to hold the executive team to account. Hearing their personal experience helps me to understand the interaction with trainees and how the Trust can support them with good practice and CPD opportunities. 9
THE TRUST AIMS TO MAKE BIKEABILITY THE LEADING PROGRAMME FOR CYCLE TRAINING BY FOCUSING ON INCLUSIVITY: WE TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AND ENSURE THAT ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ACCESS BIKEABILITY CYCLE TRAINING IS ABLE TO. The Bikeability Trust is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that the Bikeability programme is fully inclusive, with equal opportunities across the country. This has been a major focus in 2020, and will continue to be going forward. There are still many social, cultural and economic barriers to address around participation in Bikeability, including access to bicycles for the training. In 2020 the Bikeability Trust: Released £300,000 from our Innovation Fund for projects supporting children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Supported instructors and providers to adapt their training delivery in accordance with government COVID-19 guidelines including regular Bikeability Delivery Guide updates. Welcomed a new trustee, Imran Hussain, with his wealth of expertise on reducing barriers to participation in cycling. INCLUSIVITY 10
WE RELEASED £300,000 FROM OUR INNOVATION FUND FOR PROJECTS SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS AND DISABILITIES. 11
6 CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS, INCLUDING AN INCLUSIVE TRAINING WEBINAR, DELIVERED TO 1,235 BIKEABILITY DELIVERY PARTNERS, PLUS 647 YOUTUBE VIEWS. 18 ORGANISATIONS RECEIVED INNOVATION FUND GRANTS. Grant Recipient Location Accrington Academy SGO Lancashire Bolton Council Gt Manchester Bristol City Council Bristol Buckinghamshire Council Buckinghamshire Cobham Hall School SGO Kent Derby Council Derbyshire Essex Council Essex Greenwich Greenwich Lambeth 2 Lambeth Lancashire CC Lancashire Newsome SGO West Yorkshire Our Lady’s RC High School SGO Gt Manchester Shropshire CC Shropshire Tameside MBC Gt Manchester Tarleton Academy SGO Lancashire The Deanes SGO Essex The North School SGO Kent Tower Hamlets London bikeability.org.uk THE IMPACT THIS MADE: CLICK TO VIEW WEBINAR 12
Malcolm is a Qualified Bikeability instructor for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Over the past 18-months I’ve been working with a SEND pupil, Josh, who has a learning disability including autism which does create additional challenges. When I first met Josh and his parents, I recall Josh telling me, “I can’t cycle.” After a little thought I rephrased that sentence to him, “You can’t cycle yet.” Within 20 minutes, Josh was sitting on a balance bike in the garden, and his ‘journey’ had commenced. I worked with him every Sunday for quite some time; each session with Josh was tailored to suit his learning needs, which were identified by speaking with his school, parents, and most importantly Josh himself. I learned about his interest in Disney films and so used his favourite characters as training tools to deliver information to Josh in a way that he could understand and process. After many Sunday mornings in the park, Josh’s confidence and skills developed to the point where he was ready to participate in Bikeability level 1 with his school peers – another journey had begun. During the sessions that followed, we all saw Josh go through a remarkable transformation, with noticeable improvements to his attitude, vocabulary, fitness…and his education. I presented Josh with his Bikeability certificate, which now takes pride of place on his wall; there is no doubt that learning to ride a bike and participating in Bikeability with his peers represents a huge achievement for him, his parents, and his grandparents. Josh’s father, Richard, said: Imran Hussain has more than 20 years’ experience as a youth worker working with disadvantaged and hardto-reach young people. As a BAME cycling advocate, he has had to work creatively to find solutions to the barriers of delivering Bikeability to inner city schools in Bradford. Often young people don’t have access to fit for purpose bikes which really impacts on training time as instructors try to get the bikes in a usable state. Unfortunately, it is sometimes the case that instructors have to say it is unsafe for children to come out and train. This extends real disadvantage to children who are already disadvantaged. To help with this disadvantage we got hold a fleet of bikes through legacy funding after the Tour de France came to Yorkshire. Instructors take them into schools, but it is still a challenge when you are delivering in multiple schools across different sites and the fleet gets stretched. Getting parents on board and creating a three-way partnership between families, the school and Bikeability instructor is so key. Parent engagement officers can help to show why Bikeability training is a life skill that can increase young people’s confidence and independence. It is also important to build the profile of Bikeability in the community. Building that trust with the parent is really important – emphasising the importance of physical health through cycling. Taster sessions after school or before school can be a great way of engaging families. Imran Hussain, Trustee Case Study As a family I would like to thank both and Malcolm and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for this fantastic initiative. The energy and enthusiasm provided by Malcolm has truly been infectious, not only for Josh but to us all as a family. The difference this has made to Josh has been so inspiring and has given him such a confidence boost. Despite Josh’s disability nothing should be beyond his reach and with the right support and attitude anything is possible. It really is a joy to watch him cycle with a big smile on his face and it brings a tear of happiness to our eyes. 13
In 2020, partly in response to the challenges and changes that COVID-19 necessitated, but also as part of the wholesale Bikeability for All review, the Trust has made significant progress to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery both by our Bikeability partners, and also with internal programme management. THE TRUST AIMS TO MAKE BIKEABILITY THE LEADING PROGRAMME FOR CYCLE TRAINING BY FOCUSING ON EFFICIENCY: OUR DELIVERY PROGRAMME OFFERS VALUE FOR MONEY AND IS DELIVERED IN AN ECONOMIC AND EFFICIENT WAY. In 2020 the Bikeability Trust: EFFICIENCY Worked closely with Bikeability grant recipients and the Department for Transport to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, we focussed on ensuring financial support through cancelled training, alongside an enhanced communications programme on COVID-19. Strengthened the External Quality Assurance (EQA) visit programme with a new mentoring and support offer pairing training providers with an expert EQA panel member to review their service delivery. 14
Launched a new Link website providing more: • User-friendly and detailed information on a wider range of training statistics. • Effective planning and monitoring across all areas of Bikeability delivery. • Up-to-date contact lists and accurate data through a full data cleanse. • Effective monitoring of delivery, including tracking rider characteristics and under-represented groups. • Efficient and flexible grants administration. Produced a comprehensive Bikeability Management Guide for grant recipients and training providers. 15
bikeability.org.uk THE IMPACT THIS MADE: 1,943 DOWNLOADS OF A LETTER TO HEADTEACHERS, EXPLAINING THE BENEFITS OF CONTINUING BIKEABILITY. 9,930 DOWNLOADS OF COVID-19 GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS. Registered address: Salisbury House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2LA Charity registered in England and Wales no: 1171111 VAT registration number: 315 3542 27 Bikeability is the UK Government Department for Transport’s funded cycle training programme Removes pressure on public transport: At least 50% of journeys to school are two miles or less. Cycling to school is one of the easiest ways to relieve pressure on public transport, caused by lower capacities and social distancing. Reduces risk of transmission: It is far easier to socially distance outside and the risk of transmission of Covid-19 is reduced outdoors. Improves health and wellbeing: An active lifestyle improves both physical and mental health. Children are more alert to start their lessons, their fitness is improved, and they feel happier and more confident. Reduces air pollution: Lockdown significantly reduced air pollution and more cycling will help ensure that pollution does not return to pre-coronavirus levels Builds confidence: Bikeability cycle training increases the confidence of children, both on and off the bicycle, and demonstrates to parents and carers that their child can cycle confidently and competently. In addition to in-school Bikeability cycle training, there is also on-line support on the Bikeability website to develop children’s cycle skills, and help your school maximise the impact of Bikeability. The free Tools for Schools toolbox for Early Years and Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 includes curriculum-linked materials and accompanying teacher guides that bring cycling to life in maths, English, science, geography and beyond. It also includes tips, tools and fun activities to help each child continue to enjoy and improve their cycling, both in and out of school. Download at: https://bikeability.org.uk/tools-for-schools/ We hope you agree that there has never been a more important time to ensure every child has the confidence to enjoy cycling. The Bikeability Trust is committed to ensure that no child misses the opportunity to develop this important life skill. Kind regards Emily Cherry Executive Director, The Bikeability Trust www.bikeability.org.uk Registered address: Salisbury House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2LA Charity registered in England and Wales no: 1171111 VAT registration number: 315 3542 27 Bikeability is the UK Government Department for Transport’s funded cycle training programme Dear Head Teacher, 2021 has given us a challenging start to the year. The Bikeability Trust would like to thank you for your hard work and dedication since the first impact of Covid-19 hit. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the education of our children continues to be supported, including their ability to cycle confidently and competently. In response to the national lockdown, Bikeability cycle training cannot take place outside of an educational setting. However, Covid-19, Bikeability training has been adapted to ensure children are kept safe, whilst they learn this essential life skill. The Department for Education’s latest guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settingsnew-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020) emphasises that sport and active travel helps “to enable pupils to be physically active while encouraging physical distancing.” The guidance notes for all Bikeability trainers has been reviewed and approved by the Department for Transport and the Department for Education, as well as Public Health England, and includes the following key changes: Covid-19 symptoms: Instructors will not take part in Bikeability cycle training if they, or a member of their household displays Covid-19 symptoms. If this happens, another instructor will deliver Bikeability or training will be rearranged for another date. Hand washing: Instructors will follow robust hygiene guidance, including frequent hand washing and sanitising, and instructors will check that all pupils have washed their hands before they start the training session. Equipment: Equipment must not be shared between bubbles. Any loaned equipment, such as tabards and bicycles, will be thoroughly cleaned or quarantined between each training session. Social Distancing: Instructors will have no physical contact with pupils, and they will always maintain a social distance of two metres. Any “hands-on” exercises such as checking a cycle and fitting a helmet will be demonstrated. PPE: As all Bikeability training takes place outdoors, wearing PPE is not e sential. If PPE is required, instructors may wear a combination of face shields, face coverings and gloves. NHS Test and Trace: All Bikeability instructors will keep a record of their training courses for 21 days and inform the school if they display symptoms or test positive for Covid-19. The Bikeability Trust believes that Bikeability cycle training is a core part of the recovery curriculum. Bikeability cycle training ensures children have the skill t travel to school by bicycle, as well as the following benefits: 8 TRAINING PROVIDERS TOOK PART IN THE MENTORING PROGRAMME. It gave me the confidence to know that the processes and procedures that I have in place are correct. It ensured I provide enough detail to evidence effective practice and development across the scheme and helped to create a clearer picture in my mind of good practices. The mentoring has highlighted how to progress with developing our instructors and monitoring training. 16
REVISED, ACCURATE DATA ABOUT ALL REGISTERED, ACTIVE INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINING PROVIDERS. (DEC, 2020) 2,178 250 INSTRUCTORS PROVIDERS HIGH LEVELS OF BIKEABILITY DELIVERY. Most areas spent the majority of their grant allocation. (based on financial year statistics for 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020) COVID-19 had little impact on delivery in the 19/20 financial year apart from the last 2 weeks in March 2020. 56 REGIONAL PRESS ARTICLES. (TOTAL REACH OF 19,378,500) Generated from 2019/20 delivery statistics 17
TRAINING DELIVERY Core Modules Level 1: Develops cycle handing in an off-road environment and prepares riders for cycling on the road. Level 2: Improves skills and confidence to cycle on single-lane roads and at simple junctions. Level 3: Ensures riders develop the skills to cycle confidently and competently in diverse road environments. Plus Modules Balance: Develops those crucial early cycle handling and awareness skills, using games on balance bikes, trikes or adapted cycles. Bus: A supervised ride to and from school for children, parents and school staff. Fix: Learn basic bike maintenance, including puncture repair. Learn to Ride: Prepares riders who can balance, but not yet pedal, for Bikeability Level 1. On Show: Allows parents and teachers to watch training in action. Parents: A compressed “taster session” to boost parents’ knowledge and confidence. Promotion: “Have a go” sessions for anyone in the community. Recycled: Repair unused, old or damaged bicycles to be passed on to those in need. Ride: A series of short, pre-planned routes to practice cycling on the road. Transition: Riders plan a route from primary school to their new secondary school and cycle this route as a group, led by instructors. Adult: A bespoke training session for adults at any level of cycling ability. Family: A training package to help people living in the same household to cycle together. THE TRUST HAS SUPPORTED DELIVERY PARTNERS IN MAXIMISING THE NUMBER OF TRAINING PLACES DELIVERED. 18
TOTAL PLUS COURSES 76,079. TOTAL CORE COURSES 344,328. TOTAL OF CORE AND PLUS TOGETHER 420,407. bikeability.org.uk 19
TRAINING DELIVERY Regional delivery of places (2019/20) Region Core Plus Total East Anglia 41,417 5,169 46,586 East Midlands 32,913 8,375 41,288 North East 20,405 7,539 27,944 North West 66,565 16,540 83,105 South East 54,576 9,381 63,957 South West 39,198 9,281 48,479 West Midlands 48,544 5,080 53,624 Yorkshire & The Humber 40,710 14,714 55,424 Total 344,328 76,079 420,407 Regional distribution of funding (2019/20) Region Funding % Distribution East Anglia £ 1,326,257.00 10% East Midlands £ 1,322,591.50 10% North East £ 742,940.00 6% North West £ 2,764,469.00 20% South East £ 2,143,655.00 16% South West £ 1,638,151.00 12% West Midlands £ 1,740,937.00 13% Yorkshire & The Humber £ 1,721,596.00 13% Total £13,400,596.50 100% Global delivery figures (2019/20) Number of children in year 6 in England (excluding London) 2019/20 582,050 Number of combined level 1 & 2 places and level 2 places delivered in 2019/20 257,088 % of year 6 children in England receiving either L1&2 combined or L2 Bikeability training 44% Using pupil data source: Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2019 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Excludes any London data 20
It was a huge surprise when you answered the phone yesterday….. it was incredibly reassuring to know you were there. After another sleepless night we have woken to host our staff meeting and have been met with an abundance of optimism for the future. The ability to claim for those staff members who have no financial support via the Trust has made THE biggest difference to those to whom it applies. Rich and Sue at Cyclewise, training provider The Bikeability Trust has also taken steps to ensure that our own management of the Bikeability programme is economic and efficient. We have: • Updated our policies and procedures and are now fully compliant with fundraising practice • Generated £539k of surplus income (Financial Year ending 31st March 2020)* through careful monitoring of costs and a small, efficient staff team. • Prioritised obtaining value-formoney across the board to ensure maximum reserves are fed back into our Innovation Fund. • Reviewed our accounts every quarter, by a trustee subcommittee, to ensure that we are meeting our objectives. • The programme benefitted enormously from a sponsorship arrangement with Halfords which came to a natural end Although we have not yet finalised our accounts for the year ending 2021, our results will show a very different picture as Bikeability training has been restricted by the impact of COVID-19, which in turn has led to a downturn in sales of Award materials. We also needed to invest in additional central staffing to be able to manage the increased workload from COVID-19 and to enhance our offer to industry. * Our key sources of funds are the sale of Award materials, partnership income and income under a grant agreement with the Department for Transport. PROCESSES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON DELIVERY PARTNER BUSINESSES The Trust have helped to minimise the predicted reduction of delivery of places during the 2020 calendar year (forthcoming 20/21 statistics). DELIVERY PARTNERS HAVE SHOWED GREAT RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY IN 2020 Sam Cartlidge, the owner of LearnCycling in Shropshire, says this year has been his hardest yet since he started as an instructor in 2008. 2020 has been a tricky year, there have been many changes for Bikeability instructors since coronavirus first hit but we have adapted. The increased per head rate from the Bikeability Trust meant it was viable to deliver smaller courses, schools were really pleased and instructors were happy to work. Letters were sent to schools to reassure them that the training is a safe outdoor activity and we put on summer courses, responding to lower number of available instructors available through the school term. One of the things that made it possible for us to get working is that we’ve got a really good rapport with the schools, building and maintaining those relationships is key to be able to offer reassurance for them. We’ve been working in Shropshire for several years, so you build up those relationships with administrators, teachers, the kids, their siblings and parents as well – we helped make them aware that the training is all outside and is a very safe thing to do. During our autumn courses last year, we noticed that we were getting some really strong groups. I would always ask, ‘Did you use your bikes a lot over the summer and during lockdown?’ Often the children had been out every day on their bikes as a family. They’d had more time on their bikes and were already good bike handlers which is a big head start. That’s a real positive from all the disruption from coronavirus. 21
Promoted stories evidencing what Bikeability achieves both to the media and directly to families and schools. THE TRUST AIMS TO MAKE BIKEABILITY THE LEADING PROGRAMME FOR CYCLE TRAINING BY FOCUSING ON INFLUENCE: WE SHARE OUR EVIDENCE OF THE IMPACT OF CYCLE TRAINING ACROSS A VARIETY OF SECTORS - TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND LEISURE. INFLUENCE In 2020 the Bikeability Trust: Initiated research into the impact of cycle training in partnership with Brunel University & funded by the Road Safety Trust. 22
Instructor of the Year Runner up: Joe Webb (London Borough of Bromley) Winner: Anna Hay (Outspoken Training) Provider of the Year Runner up (joint): Cycling Instructor Ltd Runner up (joint): Cycle Confident Winner: Avanti Cycling Local Authority /SGO Host School Partner of the Year: Runner up (joint): Manchester City Council Runner up (joint): Lincolnshire County Council Winner: Wokingham Borough Council School Teacher/Governor of the Year Winner: Gemma Downing, Ide Primary School, Devon Trainee of the Year (Pete Rollings Award) Runner Up: Aisha Jesani, London Winner: Alazar Sahele, West Sussex Most Proactive Primary School Runner Up: Shinfield St. Mary’s Cof E Junior School, Wokingham Winner: Ashwood Park Primary School, Wordsley, Stourbridge Ran a virtual national Awards programme to showcase the achievements of all those involved in Bikeability. Responded to the Highway Code Review including opinions gathered from 180 industry professionals. 2020 BIKEABILITY AWARDS – RESULTS CLICK TO VIEW AWARDS 23
Anna creates fun learning environments for pupils to get the most from their training. In the last year Anna has successfully delivered training in 32 schools with an average feedback score of 9.6 out of 10 across these schools. Anna continuously develops great working relationships with her community, and the glowing testimonials reflect the value and impact Bikeability training has had. Anna delivered 4 Bikeability Plus modules (Balance, Fix, Learn to Ride and Promotion) to Fenland schools across Cambridgeshire. She was very proud that the Learn to Ride module helped 47 children to learn to ride for the first time. A strength of Anna’s work is her natural supportive approach in any situation. She guides riders with additional needs to either start their cycling journey or develop their skills further, whilst also inspiring confidence, self-esteem and enjoyment at achievement. She is particularly good at boosting new instructors’ confidence and developing their knowledge and skills, through being a great role model and providing positive feedback. Anna Hay Bikeability Instructor of the Year bikeability.org.uk Bikeability was promoted widely: • 668,656 website pageviews. • 3328 Facebook likes. • 2195 Twitter followers. • 959 Instagram followers. • 4144 Bikeability Club subscribers. • 870 articles mentioning Bikeability with a reach of 3,102,318,500. Alazar joined the all-abilities cycling club in Horsham and, due to his cerebral palsy initially he would ride a wheelchair bicycle piloted by his family or club instructors. Over time Alazar expressed a desire to explore the use of a cycle that he could ride independently. By the end of 2016, Alazar progressed to riding a fixed gear trike with a 3-point body harness to keep him in position. The fixed gear mechanism, along with foot straps and harness helped him learn the basics of cycle control as well as improving muscle memory and development. In 2017, Alazar progressed to a “rear steering” recumbent trike. Over the year, Alazar challenged himself to begin his Level 1 training by starting and stopping independently along with making the bike go where he wanted. The following year saw Alazar arriving at the club by walking, this was credited to the muscle development achieved through cycling. Alazar also progressed onto a “Low Rider” recumbent trike and began to regularly cycle well in excess of 2km each week. This was a significant moment given that in previous years on the charity ride, Alazar had been on West Sussex County Council’s wheelchair bike. Alazar’s family purchased their own adapted bike, giving Alazar the freedom to ride away from the club with his family. He completed Bikeability Level 1 in Autumn 2019. For his family cycling is now not an activity that they just support and assist himwith, but one they can all enjoy and share together. Alazar Sahele Bikeability Trainee of the Year THE IMPACT THIS MADE: 24
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Launched a Bikeability for All programme to consult and collaborate on the development of a roadmap plan to offer of cycle training for every adult and every child as highlighted in the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” document. • Conducted 10 briefings/ workshops with the Bikeability industry and active travel stakeholders (334 attendees). • Held 9 individual meetings with training providers and grant recipients. • Ran an in-depth instructor survey (64 questions) with 694 responses. THE TRUST AIMS TO MAKE BIKEABILITY THE LEADING PROGRAMME FOR CYCLE TRAINING BY FOCUSSING ON COLLABORATION: We work with stakeholders, partners and commercial organisations to achieve our vision and ensure Bikeability is a household name. Collaboration is essential for the Bikeability Trust. We rely on our partners to provide valuable feedback, amplify our communications messages, and work together on campaigns, research and practical projects. COLLABORATION In 2020 the Bikeability Trust: Held regular quarterly feedback sessions with the industry via the: • Bikeability Effective Advisory Group. • Bikeability Promotion and Communications Advisory Group. • Regional Network Forum (58 grant recipient members across 8 regions). 26
Worked closely with our partners on collaborative projects including: • Bike to School Week, in partnership with Sustrans. Tools for Schools resources featured in the Bike to School Week learning toolkit. • The Big Bike Revival with Cycling UK, offering special grants for Bikeability providers to deliver pop up Dr Bike sessions in schools. • Developing a pilot to promote awareness and understanding between drivers and riders. Cycle Savvy driving is a collaboration with a wide range of partners in the driving industry, to engage 4,000 Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) in surveys, online and practical training. • An Erasmus+ funded project called Safe4Cycle2, which collaborated with three organisations in Hungary, Romania and Slovenia to create interactive training videos and workbooks for children, and online content for trainers. Sharing the Road with Riders A module for driving instructors 27
I read the invite in the Bikeability Trust’s newsletter to apply for additional funding to offer Dr Bike sessions for schools – a much welcomed opportunity. After the first lockdown we offered lots of pop-up Dr Bike sessions across East Lancashire. As part of the Dr Bike health check-up, we provide free bicycle safety checks and tune-ups with fully qualified mechanics. We targeted 12 different schools in deprived areas in Lancashire where we deliver Bikeability training. Often the bikes need an awful lot of tinkering. We were also able to deliver at a school in Accrington. They are very engaged with cycling as a school and we’ve done a lot of Bikeability Level 3 with their Years 7 and 8 pupils and Bikeability Transition with the younger children, so we wanted to give a little bit back. We knew that they would use it very wisely and target the people who really needed to bring their bikes in. bikeability.org.uk THE IMPACT THIS MADE: BIKE TO SCHOOL WEEK • Chris Heaton-Harris MP visited a school & promoted Dr Bike sessions.. • 178 Facebook / 86 Instagram uses of #biketoschoolweek. • 495 downloads of the Parent pack. Kirsti Grayson Go Velo Director 28
BIG BIKE REVIVAL 40 training providers received Dr. Bike grants from Cycling UK. 29
Whilst 2020 will be forever remembered as the COVID-19 year, what we wanted to show through our annual review is the commitment and support of the entire Bikeability industry. We rightly focussed on the stories of the heart and soul of Bikeability; the instructors, training providers and grant recipients. Without their dedication we would face a lost generation of children. We are also deeply grateful for the leadership and support shown by the Department for Transport Ministers and Officials, without whom Bikeability would not be emerging stronger from the pandemic and able to prepare for training every child and adult in the future. I’m proud that this year we have significantly increased the Bikeability Trust’s capabilities; launching a new link website for operations, delivering more media coverage than ever and greater levels of communications assistance for the industry. We’ve enhanced our development projects and launched a new Bikeability Family training programme. We will be emerging from the pandemic stronger, and with a focus on providing more support to the industry. We’ve continued our focus on quality but improved the support and mentoring to help delivery. We’ve listened and engaged with the industry hosting webinars, workshops and opportunities to tell us how to improve for the future. We’ve solidified existing partnerships and spread our wings wider to embrace more partners, to deliver more for children. We are determined to continue to develop Bikeability, and through our charitable objectives and corporate partnerships we are able to deliver more via our Innovation Fund. All of these achievements help to embed cycling as a skill for life and Bikeability is the first pedal on that journey. Thank for your support and making us proud to see the impact we can deliver together. LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021 Emily Cherry, Executive Director, reflects on what we have learnt from 2020: BIKEABILITY TRUST PRIORITIES FOR 2021 • Raise the profile of Bikeability and ensure that its benefits are better understood and appreciated. • Support the Bikeability industry to recover from COVID-19, stabilise delivery and prepare for the scale up to every child. • Enhance and improve strategic stakeholders engagement, including joint campaigns, cross-promotion and/or specific project activity. • Complete a review of the website and launch new marketing materials. • Develop the Bikeability Trust Innovation Fund. BIKEABILITY PROGRAMME PRIORITIES • Strengthen Quality, Effectiveness and Impact of Bikeability. • Promote Bikeability as the leading National Standards Cycle Training programme. 30
WE WILL BE EMERGING FROM THE PANDEMIC STRONGER, AND WITH A FOCUS ON PROVIDING MORE SUPPORT TO THE INDUSTRY. WE’VE CONTINUED OUR FOCUS ON QUALITY BUT IMPROVED THE SUPPORT AND MENTORING TO HELP DELIVERY. 31
Further information For more information about the Bikeability Trust and what we do: Email: contactus@bikeability.org.uk Follow us: @BikeabilityUK @BikeabilityUK @BikeabilityUK The Bikeability Trust Design: www.thedesignworks.co.uk The Bikeability Trust www.bikeabilitytrust.org
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