The aim of the alliance is to increase the number of MK residents who cycle by using the method of Community Organising. This will reduce carbon emissions, improve personal health and reduce personal financial costs. See Vision, Membership, Events and Actions and Wins to date.
Background
This project began in January 2021 with the aim to increase cycle usage among Citizens:mk members and partners. A project action team was set up with leaders from MK Green Alliance, MK Anglican Deanery and The Open University (Phase One Report). In August 2021 the project was extended to July 2022, and the team grown to include school and business leaders (Phase Two Report). The project was extended into Phase 3 to July 2023, to develop a self-sustaining broad-based alliance of pro-cycling institutions (Phase Three Report), with continued funding from MK City Council and via Capability grants from Active Travel England and the Department for Transport. The alliance now consists of civil society members and business sponsors.
What is Community Organising?
Community Organising is an approach to community change which builds relational power through 121 meetings. It develops leaders and strengthens their institutions, bringing them together to create system change.
Aims & Objectives
| Aims | Objectives for 2023-24 | |
| Organise | Organise an alliance of pro-cycling business, education and community institutions, through 121 meetings with their leaders and help them do the same, building relational power; organise money so the alliance can sustain itself. | 8 dues paying member institutions contribute £10k. Provide training to institutional leaders. |
| Listen | Listen to member institutions talk about the issues they see preventing more people from cycling to work and school. Organise listening campaigns, through 121s and house meetings, surveys to understand actual usage and attitudes, including cycle counts, and share the results across all alliance members. Educate against fear. | Repeat Schools Travel survey. Launch Business Travel survey. Establish benchmark figures. Launch ‘Cycling Transition 567’ project. Deliver school and parent assemblies. |
| Plan | Organise Leadership Group (LG) to plan SMART goals which address the issues, including alliance members in the planning of actions which exercise the power of the alliance through participation of members. Use tools of power analysis to identify power-holders, e.g. senior Councillors and Council officers. | Get members represented at LG. Plan annual cycling-to-school/work competitions, Mayor’s Cycling Awards and critical mass rides through CMK. Plan and deliver Bikeability Olympics 2024 |
| Act | Act on power-holders, using turnout, testimony, humour and media (where appropriate), to get their reaction on specific requests for public pledges (see Actions so far). | 3 competitions, 3 Cycling Awards events, 3 critical mass rides, 3 Bikeability Olympics Heats and 1 final. |
| Negotiate | Negotiate with power-holders to ensure pledges are fulfilled and power-holders held to account, while developing positive relationships for further work in common interest. | Dedicated meeting with Council Leader and each of four Cabinet Members. |
Enjoy the process! Join CMK Cycle Round, weekly Thursdays 5.30pm at Station Square, for a short ride and find out more.
See Vicar Gill on her bike and this fantastic MK Grid Spinners video and inspiring video about cycling in Oulu, Finland.
Cycling for women
Get Around MK website
For information and inspiration to help people get around MK, including an A-B journey planner for walking, cycling and passenger transport so you can easily plan your routes, go to Get Around MK (some bits below).
Access to Bikes – This scheme provides free bikes, helmets and locks to people who have been identified by professionals to be on a low income, unemployed, or socially disadvantaged. Recipients will benefit from this scheme as it allows them fair access to training, employment and opportunities to have fun on a bike, for health, wellbeing and social inclusion.
Bikeability Cycle Training – MK Council offers a range of cycle training courses from learn to ride, confidence building, through to advanced cycle training – the courses are fun and educational and they’re for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
eCargo Bikes for businesses – MK Council is helping businesses transition to cleaner greener transport, and has 12 amazing ecargo bikes to hire out. Not only does it boost businesses green credentials – but it supports a healthier happier workforce too.
eBike Experience – MK Council offers free hire of e-bikes. The bikes will be available to hire for 4 weeks so that people can discover the joy and benefits of an electric assisted bike. The hope is that 4 weeks is enough to change a habit and people may go on to purchase an e-bike afterwards!
For businesses, participation in the Healthy Workplace Standards provides a simple and accessible framework which supports sustainable improvements in workplace health and wellbeing across a range of topic areas, including Physical Activity (Standard 4).
Leisure rides
For details of other rides you can join, see:
- British Cycling – Breeze Rides
- Broughton Cycling Club
- MK Council Guided Rides
- Milton Keynes Parks Trust rides
- Wolverton Cycling Club.
Reporting litter or glass on redways
Have a look at Sustrans’ bike bus for schools.
It’s a fun and rewarding experience for everyone who joins in.
And there are heaps of benefits for children, parents and your community.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/fridedays-bike-bus/
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2023/everyday-walking-and-cycling/what-is-a-bike-bus-and-how-can-i-set-one-up/
Thanks for this, Jane, and sorry for delay getting back to you. I’m afraid I don’t look at these responses very often. In fact we’re already quite progressed with a plan for a Cycle Bus pilot at Bushfield School this summer term. Watch this space!