Islington Council is encouraging people to stay active after lockdown by putting on free cycling lessons.
The scheme, based on the national Bikeability programme, is offering one-on-one lessons for adults and riding classes for school children in years 5 and 6 from 8 March. Family cycle skills lessons will follow from 28 March.
“Our cycle training is delivered by qualified instructors and there are a range of courses on offer to suit all ages and abilities,” a statement on the council’s website read.
Following the implementation of their Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme, the council are keen to encourage more walking, cycling and scooting to school and places of work. This aims to reduce congestion and air pollution on the borough’s roads.
Ready to pedal? Adult 1:1 cycle skills sessions and School Level 2 Bikeability courses are now running again. Book yourself in at https://t.co/6QjdTTg1qF. Both meet the government’s Covid guidance #ActiveIslington #Bikeability #CycleSkills pic.twitter.com/MYVqeakEec
— Islington Council (@IslingtonBC) March 8, 2021
Bikeability, set up by the Department of Transport, has been promoted as part of a borough-wide push to improve people’s access to bikes during and after the UK-wide lockdown.
In addition to free classes, Islington Council is also offering a Try Before You Bike scheme. This scheme lets residents put down a deposit for their bike and pay it off in monthly instalments.
Cycling charity joins the initiative
The council have also partnered with nationwide cycling charity Cycling UK to set up free bike repairs and maintenance stations around the borough.
Toby Edwards, Cycling UK’s training and cycling development officer for London, said: “The Dr Bike scheme… really is like a health check for your bike. It is for anyone who has an old bike in the shed or with an issue that they have been meaning to get fixed for a while. The skilled mechanics will check that any cycle that is brought along is safe to ride and carry out minor adjustments and repairs.”
To date, Dr Bike has helped to fix 3,509 bikes around the UK.
Residents, students and employees based in Islington can sign up for Bikeability cycling lessons here.
