Bikelife North Northants
PLEASE NOTE THIS PROJECT HAS NOW FINISHED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FUTURE SIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE LATEST LOCAL EVENTS. www.facebook.com/brightwayzuk
Would you like to cycle to get to work, to the shops or for other local everyday trips... but lack the confidence? If so, then Bikelife is for you.
Bikelife is brought to you by us here at Brightwayz. It is a project funded by the Department for Transport through North Northamptonshire Council and has been set up for local people who can cycle but need a bit of extra confidence in cycling for everyday journeys. The project started in October 2023 and has been extended into February 2024. It is completely free of charge to participants.
Last Bikelife session is on Friday 1 March - 'Bikelife in a Day' from 9.30am to 2.30pm. You can do the complete course or if you have started but not done some sessions you can complete here.
See Bikelife in action on our short video
Priority with places is being given to NHS and care sector staff (we promoted it to them first) but it is open to anyone who lives or works in the county aged 18+.
If you are interested, read on, but please note - spaces are limited to the first 100 to sign up so make sure you click below to reserve your place asap.
No bike? No problem. If you do not have a bike or one you can borrow from a friend we can lend you a refurbished bike.
CLICK HERE to reserve your place and choose your sessions on Bikelife
This will take you to the booking form which will allow you to let us know which dates and venues you are interested in. We will then be in touch to discuss and allocate best dates for you.
February 2024 Dates and Venue Options for Stage ONE of Bikelife (Participants attend ONE of these). Timings can be seen on the more detailed list you will see when you've registered using the link above.
FINAL BIKELIFE SESSION: 'BIKELIFE IN A DAY' Fri 1 Mar, 9.30am-2.30pm (join all or just a part completing your course)
If you live in other towns or villages in North Northamptonshire please contact us as we may be able to arrange transport to one of the sessions above.
February 2024 Dates and Venue Options for Stage TWO of Bikelife (Participants attend ONE of these).
Fri 1 Mar, daytime, Wicksteed Park, KETTERING - BIKE LIFE IN A DAY
Programme Stages
The Bikelife programme is made up of two stages:
Stage 1 Bike Check, Learn to Fix and Cycle Skills - Three and a Half Hours (can be split into a 1.5 hour 'cycle check/learn to fix' and a separate 2 hour 'level one cycling' if preferred)
- Half an hour session: Cycle check and maintenance session by a qualified mechanic. If you don't have a bike we will check your requirements eg height to find you a suitable refurbished bike to borrow and keep at the end if required. If your bike needs basic repairs our mechanic will ensure your bike is fixed so it is safe enough to ride and simple fixes are done. Please note if more expensive fixes are needed eg with special parts, our mechanic can advise you what is needed and you can either choose to pay for the work or wait until you have your voucher and use that to cover the costs.
- One-hour session to learn to fix and maintain your bike: e.g pump up tyres, puncture repairs, safety checks, how to lock securely etc
- Finishing with a two-hour session in an empty car park/hard surface playground area to practice cycle control skills such as turning and slow cycling, tips on how to cycle safely.
Stage 2 Cycle Confidence Training and Led Ride - Two-Hour session.
- One-hour session in an empty car park/hard surface playground area to practice cycle control skills such as turning and slow cycling, tips on how to cycle safely, followed by cycle practice in a quiet street area.
- One-hour session preparing and doing on-road short ride (the route will be explained before leaving).
All stages will be completed by the end of February 2024. When all stages are complete each participant will be awarded with a £100 voucher for a local independent cycle shop of your choice. Alternatively, if they have borrowed a refurbished bike for the sessions, instead of having the £100 voucher the participant can keep the bike. There will also be lots of other cycling goodies for each participant along the two stage journey to help make your cycle trips safer, easier and more comfortable.
Questions
Can't Cycle But Interested?
Let us know. This programme is designed for people who can actually cycle but lack the confidence to cycle for day to day trips. However, we can provide a limited number of small group or one-to-one 'learn to cycle' funded training sessions and if successful then add you can join Bike Life if there are still spaces.
Interested - But You Have a Disability?
Let us know. We want this programme to be as inclusive as possible. Depending on your disability and ability we may be able to adapt the session to your needs. If we can't we will look for alternatives to help you enjoy the pleasures of cycling. As the charity Wheels for Wellbeing's message says: cycling should be available to everyone.
Already Confident Cycling - But Keen to Learn How to Fix and Maintain?
Let us know. We may be able to help you with one of our other local programmes.
Don't Live or Work in North Northants?
Sorry! This programme is just for those who live or work in our local area due to how it is funded. If you are in another area please contact your local Highways team at your local authority to ask about other opportunities in your area.
Further Questions?
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
If you are a North Northants resident (or your job is based in the county and are able to attend local sessions) then please sign up below. There is no charge as this is fully-funded.