March 1, 2024

Barrow’s Travel Actively programme of bike confidence sessions for 2024, began in earnest during February half-term, with specific groups targeted for this round of sessions, delivered by Stage 1 Cycles on behalf of Cycling UK.

On the Tuesday of the half-term, the focus was on children and young people at beginner level, aimed at supporting them to build their confidence on a bike and develop their balance and bike handling skills. Some of the young people stayed within the safety of the athletics stadium circuit, based at Park Vale Sports Centre on Walney, and some progressed onto a guided ride on the roads, following the Bikeability curriculum with the trained tutors.

The next set of sessions took place on the Friday, with a group attending the morning session from Furness Multi Cultural Forum. This was specifically to work on road safety skills and awareness, with the progression of starting on quieter routes, then moving onto busier roads with traffic lights and roundabouts to negotiate.

In the afternoon, our final session of the week, two of our recently qualified bike leader volunteers led a guided ride for a number of adults. This was hugely successful, as they were able to plan the route beforehand, complete a risk assessment, take the group through a skills assessment and led ride, all under the guidance of our expert tutors from Stage 1 Cycles. A valuable learning experience and thoroughly enjoyable led ride for those who attended. Our volunteers will now begin to offer led rides, specifically with E Bikes, from Easter onwards, once a bank of routes and risk assessments have been completed.

Travel Actively Barrow have 36 more bike confidence sessions booked in between now and the end of summer, with Stage 1 Cycles, taking place during school holidays. If you would like to take part, or let someone you know who would benefit from being part of this programme of activities, then contact TravelActively@cumberland.gov.uk and follow us on Facebook for regular updates on opportunities at ‘Travel Actively Barrow’

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