BIKEABILITY PROMOTION
Try out show at Northborough School, Peterborough / Do’s!!
- Make a detailed plan of your event (activities, times, location, staff roles)
- Build in variety. Unusual bikes to try out and fun cycling activities
- Choose keen, enthusiastic and energetic staff
- Link with existing community events that are suitable to your target audience
- Promote the event well. Use schools to promote to parents, social media, event sponsors
- If using schools ensure they are proactive and can engage the children and families
Non-riders enjoying the fun too! / Good Practice hints and tips
- Consider buying in a Try-Out show from companies with experience
- Link with other Bikeability modules such as Ride or Fix
- Partner up with local bike shops, they may supply you with free equipment
- Use local instructors who have trained at local schools
- Try to be inclusive of all needs, (tandems, recumbents, cargo bikes for non-riders)
- Focus event on ‘try-out’ rather than teaching or training
- Sunny weather is best so consider dates within summer months
- For school events, extend after school hours and encourage parents to join in
- Rotating groups work well for structured activities
Outspoken Training, Case Study – Bikeability Promotion
During the Spring term of 2016 Outspoken Training ran a 5 school project in Northamptonshire offering the following Bikeability Plus modules:
- Promotion
- Balance
- Learn to ride
- Fix
- Awards
The project, funded byNorthants County Council, kicked off with each school enjoying a Bikeability Promotion launch event. The events included a try-out show alongside a pedal powered disco and the watt bike challenge.
Feedback
“We loved the initial fun day with all the different types of bikes and music and just the fantastic atmosphere created.”
“My son came home talking all about the bikes - An excellent idea to get more children to cycle to school and keep fit”
“The project had a positive impact for the whole school. It was really nice that it was a project that the whole school including staff, parents and governors could get involved in.
“The Try out show was brilliant. All children got a taste of each activity and had the ability to ride something. The children didn’t stop talking about this day for weeks. I feel that this made a huge impact on the children and the way they feel about bikes”.