Here at Life Cycle Derby, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers. Since lockdown began, the team has been working flat-out to adapt our services to help key workers in a way that is safe for all. We received funding* to offer free bikes and bike servicing to local key workers.
“Bike Back” is our bicycle recycling project that teaches prisoners to refurbish broken and unwanted bikes as part of their cycle mechanics training. Just like the rest of the country, UK prisons also went into full lockdown in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. The aim was to reduce transmission of the disease from the outside and between prisoners. However, this meant all group activities had to cease – including our work training prisoners as bike mechanics.
It will have escaped no one that a lot has happened over the past few weeks! Like all small charities, we are no stranger to working with uncertainty and rapid change. Needless to say, Coronavirus has been by far our biggest challenge as an organisation.
Martin belongs of our Over 55s cycling group. Here he tells us why switching to an e bike has changed his life.
I have recently bought an electric bike: it has transformed my life. Here’s my personal account of the why’s and how’s as it may be relevant to other people, especially those who may be quite a bit older than 55 and experiencing similar challenges to my own.
At the time of writing (23rd April 2020) people are being encouraged to leave the house for exercise once a day - provided it is either alone or with people from their household.
We hope that anyone who wants to cycle is able to. We understand that there may be some confusion about what is allowed under Government guidelines - and what is safe, depending on your health status. Our advice is:
At the time of writing (14th April 2020) people are being encouraged to leave the house for exercise once a day - provided it is either alone or with people from their household.
We hope that anyone who wants to cycle is able to. We understand that there may be some confusion about what is allowed under Government guidelines - and what is safe, depending on your health status. Our advice is:
The Club has a long history of working with and supporting charities, but in 2020, their 150th year they decided to more closely focus on three: one county-based, one city-based and a local partner close to their home at the Bristol County Ground.
Our “Two’s Company” project organises joyful days out riding tandems for visually impaired adults and children. We are so lucky to have a team of dedicated volunteers who ride at the front so that our visually impaired riders can enjoy liberating, life-enhancing experiences on two wheels.
So how do you become a Two’s Company volunteer?
Our volunteers are sociable, friendly, keen cyclists - and want to give something back. We offer full training to anyone who joins our volunteer team – and that’s where the Guide Dogs come in!
Jimmy had been in prison for 3 years. He had committed a non-violent crime and had been given ‘D Category’ status and transferred to HMP/YOI Sudbury, a resettlement prison. Sharon, HMP Sudbury’s Business & Community Engagement Manager, told him about the opportunity to volunteer for Life Cycle Derby under the Ministry of Justice’s ‘Release on Temporary License’ scheme*.
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