Cycling Santas ready to ride again | Cycling Citizens MK

For further information, contact cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, 07962 838685.

When Phil Berry, 46, locked his bicycle to the bike parking racks at Station Square, so he could get the train to work at King’s College in London, he didn’t expect to come back and find the rack cut through and his bicycle gone. And his D-lock stolen too.

“At first I felt panic, didn’t know what to do, but made my way home ok,” he said.  “Then I immediately came back to take a photo (see photo) and report it to the police.  Two days later I got an automated message saying sorry, there’s nothing they can do about it.  Now I’ve gone back to getting lifts to the station.

Phil, who grew up in Newport Pagnell, worked 18 years at The Open University and now lives in Shenley Lodge, is not the only one who has had their bicycle stolen from the bike racking outside the Station.  According to a survey in Mail Online, nearly 100 bicycles are stolen every year from that location, making Milton Keynes station the worst place to leave your bike in Britain.

“It’s really put me off,” said Phil.  “I don’t feel motivated to get a new bike, even a £25 bone shaker, because it seems they’ll steal any bike.”

Kurshida Mirza, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, has pledged action to tackle the issue by organising a meeting between Thames Valley Police and Cycling Citizens MK alliance.  She made the pledge before setting off with more than 80 cyclists on a Unity ride through Central Milton Keynes led by MK Mayor Marie Bradburn.

Mayor Bradburn said: “During my Year of Cycling, it’s important we tackle all the issues which are putting people off cycling in MK,” said Mayor Marie.  “It’s unfair that MK residents are routinely being stolen from and nothing done to prevent it.  As first citizen of MK, I’m not going to stand by.  I pledge to help the High Sheriff by involving the Council as well as the police in putting a stop to the bike thefts from Station Square.”

On Wednesday 11th September, school and civil society leaders attended the launch of a Mayor’s initiative to make cycles more accessible to MK residents. The event was hosted by Cycle Saviours, the city’s own cycling re-cycling centre.

The Mayor supported Cycle Saviours’ appeal to householders who have bikes which they are not using, to bring them to Cycle Saviours so they can be used by other residents who don’t have a bicycle.

“You can’t enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling if you don’t have a working bike you can ride,” Mayor Marie Bradburn said. “Cycle Saviours helps to address this by providing recycled bicycles at very affordable prices and also repairs. Together with the Council they’re doing all we can to get people on bikes at the start of Autumn.”

The event opened with a welcome from Simon Rudiger, CEO of MK Christian Foundation which runs Cycle Saviours (among other social enterprises) and Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, which supports projects to address transport emissions. Bike Mechanic Ethan Barker explained how bikes are received and recycled.

Cllr Mandy Legg spoke about why increasing cycling matters to MK City Council, and then the Mayor introduced the Year of Schools Cycling, and talked about her personal cycling during Cycle September using the Love To Ride cycling app.

Bikeability instructor Richard Allman spoke about how MK school’s can access the Council’s Bikeability Training , in which schools host Bikeability trainers for 1-3 as they train up to 48 children aged 9-11 to ride on the redways and roads, starting in the playground.

Teachers Richard Hill of Glebe Farm School and Grant Malloch of Coldharbour School spoke about their positive experiences of Bikeability Olympics, in which primary school children compete to demonstrate bikeability skills and win Gold, Silver & Bronze medals.

Then teacher Jake Saville of Two Mile Ash School explained how his school had been involved in a pilot of Bike Bus, involving parent volunteers cycling with a group of pupils, picking up pupils at different points on a route to school.

Cody Jackson, Lord Grey Academy student and MK City Council Youth Councillor, talked about ideas from Youth Council about how to increase youth cycling.

Jane Whild of Voices of Women in MK talked about how to increase the % of women cycling to 50% and gave the results of a recent survey.

Ann Shrimpton, leader of Breeze rides for women, who recently accompanied Olympian cyclist Chris Boardman on a stretch of the ride to the Paris Olympics, talked about what works in encouraging women to cycle: opportunities to cycle, promotion of images of women cycling, confidence, role models, and building a sense of community in cycling by adding coffee & cake stop offs to weekend leisure rides.

David Haggart, Disability and Inclusion Relationship Manager at LEAP With Us , talked about various ways to help people with disabilities to enjoy cycling.

Hayley Roche and Raeesa Chowdhury, MK City Council Transport officers, launched See.Sense bike lights to track cycle usage and identify redway and road issues for cyclists (register here if interested).

Finally Simon Rudiger outlined next steps for the Cycling Citizens MK alliance, and the overarching goal of achieving 7% modal share for cycling in MK, and cyclists being 50% women.

On Thursday 11th July, 80 cyclists joined the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Kurshida Mirza and Mayor Marie Bradburn on a celebration cycle ride through Central Milton Keynes. Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented and the High Sheriff pledged to help tackle bicycle thefts from Station Square.

Some arrived at Station Square in group rides from the corners of MK to enjoy free Dr. Bike repairs, free hire bikes, free hot snacks and free samba beats from Panacea Samba.

Following a welcome from Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, and a poem about Peace & Unity from local blogger and cyclist of ‘heart-shaped rides’, Sarah Bayaidah, the High Sheriff spoke about the importance of peace and unity in the region.

She also pledged to help tackle bicycle theft in Station Square: “I am aware that Station Square here is a place where many bicycle thefts occur. According to one report, it happens every four days. As someone quite new to cycling, I am pledging to organise a meeting between Cycle Citizens MK, the Mayor of Milton Keynes and Thames Valley Police to discuss the problem and work towards a solution and to make Station Square a community space we can all be proud of.”

Marimba Carr, Deputy Director of Public Health, and Dr. Thao Nguyen of Parkside Medical Centre, talked about the health benefits of cycling.

MK Mayor Marie Bradburn talked about her vision for a ‘Year of Cycling’. She pledged to focus on children’s Bikeability training (80% target), getting more women cycling (50% target), and helping MK City Council achieve Active Travel England rating 2 for more cycle infrastructure funding to MK.

She presented Mayor’s Cycling Awards:

• Bikeability Bronze: Caroline Haslett School
• Bikeability Silver: Bushfield School (presented earlier)
• Bikeability Gold (shared): Loughton School and Two Mile Ash School
• Bikes On Site – Watling Academy (17.4 bikes per 100 students) – collected by Assistant Headteacher Cameron Parks

Bikeability certificates were also awarded to two recently trained adults.

After a ride briefing from Dave Lewis of MK Parks Trust, the cyclists set off up Midsummer Boulevard towards the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park.

Then the riders reached The MK Rose.

At the Light Pyramid, cyclists gathered for a group photo

…then left for home.

Thanks to those who led the group rides from four corners of MK:

• North-east MK – Councillor Tony Oyakhire and Council Travel Officer Hayley Roche
• South-east MK – Ann Shrimpton, Breeze Women’s Cycling Group
• South-west MK – John Ritchie, Team MK, collecting pupils from Cold Harbour School
• North-west MK – Dave Lewis, The Parks Trust

Thanks to Ringway Infrastructure Services for proving cones and tape on Station Square.

Click here to register for Cycling Santas ride 14th December 2024.

For more information, contact Cycling Organiser Tom Bulman, 07962 838685.

Photos above from JAR Photography.

Following her ‘Year of Cycling in MK’ launch to Full Council earlier on Wednesday evening,

new MK Mayor Marie Bradburn led a community fun ride through Central Milton Keynes on Thursday 16th May.

Adorned in fresh flowers supplied by MK social enterprise Branch Out,

she was joined by 45 cyclists from all across the city.

After free Dr Bike repairs from Cycle Saviours from 4pm, people gathered with their bikes and were welcomed by Ian Revell of MK Community Foundation and Simon Rudiger of Cycle Saviours.

Ann Shrimpton of Breeze Women’s Cycle Group then introduced Mayor Marie Bradburn.

The Mayor outlined her vision of a ‘Year of Cycling’:

• focus on children’s Bikeability training (80% target)
• getting more women cycling (50% target)
• helping MK City Council achieve Active Travel England rating 2.

Then she presented a special School Cycling Champion award to teacher Jake Saville of Two Mile Ash School.

Jane Whild of Voices of Women in MK presented the results of two important recent surveys: MK Adults Cycling Survey and MK Schools Travel Survey.

In response, Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, spoke about what’s needed for MK City Council to achieve Active Travel England rating 2 & what the Council is doing to get there.

Then cycle parking campaigner Hazel Dean explained what’s needed to get bicycle parking at Sainsbury’s in CMK (details below).

After a ride briefing, the cyclists then set off up Midsummer Boulevard, with the Mayor accompanied by riders from Breeze Women’s Cycling Group, from Station Square to Campbell Park Light Pyramid.

Then a smaller group of cyclists stopped at Sainsbury’s to talk to the store manager about next steps in the campaign for better parking:

• What’s currently wrong with the Sainsbury’s bike parking – underground and dangerous to get to with no infrastructure to secure bikes
• What we want to see made available for bike parking at Sainsbury’s – better placed and secure racking outside the store with easy access
• Why they have turned down helping us – say they have no money for such things even after another year of record profits
• What we can do to change their minds – let’s go shopping and show them that cyclist are real people who buy stuff.

That’s another story.

Below: MK 2050 painting by local artist Tim Layden, below, will be hung in the Mayor’s parlour.

Thanks to MK’s outgoing Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Mick and Mandy Legg, for their support of cycling in their mayoral year. At three Mayor’s Cycling Awards events they have presented 23 awards (7 businesses, 16 schools) for achievements in the Business Cycling Challenge and Schools Cycling Challenge.

40 Year 5-6 pupils from six schools participated in Heat 1 of this year’s Bikeability Olympics. Hosted by Bushfield School in Wolverton, and attended by Deputy Mayor Marie Bradburn, who presented the certificates, the Heat ended in a close contest for three team entries in the final at thecentre:mk on 5th July. With just 19 points separating the top five teams, the winning three were: Caroline Haslett (71 points), Bushfield (68 points) and Oxley Park (55 points) – see full results.

Heat 2 will be hosted by Two Mile Ash School on Tuesday 12th June.

On an evening of high wind and rain, a group of 10 hardy cyclists met in Station Square.

After an introduction from Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, a message of cycling support from MK Mayoress Mandy Legg, and prizes for best dressed cyclist (chocolate eggs donated by John Lewis), a large cycling rabbit led the ride up Midsummer Boulevard and across The Hub to Sainsbury’s.

For several months, campaigners have been appealing to Sainsbury’s to provide a few cycle parking spaces to encourage shoppers to cycle, at a cost approximately equal to one minute of Sainsburys’ annual profit. Currently there are none, only an allocated ‘Bicycle Parking’ area in the car park with no fixings, so cycles have to be parked against a nearby road safety railing.

In a recent email response, Sainsburys has said no ‘because of the cost’.

The aim of this action was to politely ask for a reconsideration and to ask where we’re supposed to park our bikes…

The cyclists were eventually met by a duty manager, who received the latest request, along with two draft press releases – ‘Sainsburys says No to cycle parking’ and ‘Sainsburys says Yes to cycle parking’), and agreed to communicate the further appeal to senior managers.

See that funny bunny hop while warming up for the action…

…and later trying to shop.

In a post-action evaluation, the cycling campaigners said they felt energised by the action, satisfied they had progressed the relationship with Sainsburys, and willing to return soon, if necessary, to continue the campaign for a deal.

Following a survey of 1,173 Year 7 students across 12 MK secondary schools, the following report has been launched.

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families, said:  ‘We know children learn more easily when they get enough physical exercise, so cycling or walking to school is a pro-brainer!  That’s why MK City Council has set a target of 80% of Year 6 pupils receiving Bikeability training.  Now we need more schools and parents to help achieve it.”

Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, said:  “We know 40% of our children in MK’s most deprived neighbours are undertaking less than 30 minutes of exercise a day, which is less than medical experts say they need.  Walking or cycling to school is such an easy way for children and young people to get the exercise they need.  We want to do all we can to help with this.”

Cllr Jane Carr, Cabinet Member for Tackling Social Inequalities, said:  “One in five MK households has no access to a car, so freedom to travel around our city is in issue of social equality.  For people who live in these households, we want to make walking and cycling as safe and attractive as we can.”

Jim Parker, Executive Principal of Lord Grey and Stantonbury secondary schools, will say:  “There are obvious health benefits to having twice daily exercise.  It could be the start of a lifetime exercise habit.  I used to cycle to school every day and still do cycle to work when I can.  There are big social benefits too of being with your friends as you walk, scoot or cycle to school.”

Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust, a founder member of Cycling CitizensMK alliance, said:  “We welcome this report. We encourage people to walk and cycle in our parks, and we’re pleased the ‘Follow the Rabbit’ ride will end at the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park so everyone can enjoy the view.”

On Thursday 14th March, primary school leaders from across Milton Keynes received Mayor’s Cycling Awards for their achievements in Bikeability training and Modeshift STARS progress. The event was hosted by Ringway Infrastructure Services and attended by 25 guests. Awards were also made to secondary schools which have excelled in the MK Secondary Schools Cycling Challenge.

After a welcome from Ringway’s Daniel Mullins, and an update on the Cycling Citizens alliance’s data monitoring from Michael Pattinson of PWC, Organiser Tom Bulman presented the summary findings of the new report on Year 7 cycling to school.

MK Mayor and Mayoress Mick and Mandy Legg presented the following awards:

• Top Cycling Secondary School (most cycles on site per 100 students in March 2024) – Glebe Farm School (10.7)
• Top Cycling Primary School (most progress on Modeshift STARS) – Cold Harbour (‘Very Good’), Two Mile Ash (‘Good’), Barleyhurst (‘Approved’)
• Top Cycling Primary School (high % Year 5 & 6 pupils on Bikeability training in 2023-24) – Knowles (68.5%), Barleyhurst (56.9%)
• Bikeability Champion Schools pledging 80% participation by March 2025 – Giffard Park, The Premier Academy, Two Mile Ash.

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families (main picture above), spoke about the importance of MK City Council’s target of 80% children receiving Bikeability training and pledged to promote the recommendations of the report (above). Bikeability instructors Richard Allman and Maria Riding spoke about the progress primary schools are making in Bikeability training and in using the Modeshift STARS platform for recording and monitoring achievements in promoting active travel.

Jane Whild, of Voices of Women in Milton Keynes, talked about the recently launched campaign to increase cycling by women and asked all attendees to complete this survey

and encourage others to do the same. Ann Shrimpton, leader of Breeze rides for women, celebrated last week’s ride to celebrate International Women’s Day, and Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, outlined the upcoming City rides planned in March, May, July, September, December) including the Follow The Rabbit ride on Thursday 28th March.

Finally attendees had a chance to see up close an e-assisted quadra-cycle (see below), similar to the one intended for next year’s MK Mayor, as outlined by Tristan Allen of Fully-charged e-bikes.

Other winners unable to attend were:

• Top Cycling Secondary School (most students in Year 7 travel survey) – Watling Academy (220)
• Top Cycling Secondary School (highest % students in Year 7 travel survey) – Kents Hill Park (91%)
• Top Cycling Secondary School (most cycling promotion initiatives) – Walton High (7)

Shoppers stopped to cheer and wave as 135 MK residents, including MK’s Deputy-Mayor and senior councillors, cycled through the city centre in Santa suits.

At 10.30am on Saturday 16th December, the Cycling Santas rallied at Station Square for a short ride to Campbell Park. Following last year’s pilot ride, this was a rehearsal for a formal world record attempt next year, which will encourage 500 people to participate. The event was reported by BBC News (online story) and ITV Anglia News (TV report).

Father Christmas (aka actor Dave Lovesy) led the proceedings with some hilarity.

As well as creating fun, the event brought together leaders from different business, education and community organisations who are members or supporters of a new broad-based alliance to get more people cycling in MK, especially children.

It was an opportunity to hear from civic and political leaders about their visions for cycling in MK and secure important pledges.

• Dame Ann Limb, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, said: “I am totally behind MK Council’s ambition to find ways to get more children cycling to school. Walking and cycling are good for people, places, and the planet which is at the heart of my sustainability focus as High Sheriff.”
• Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing & Healthy Communities, said: “Research shows active travel leads to longer, healthier lives.  I pledge to do all I can to help MK City Council make walking and cycling easier and more attractive to MK residents.”
• Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families said: “We know cycling to school makes a big difference to children’s health and wellbeing. We want more children and young people to cycle to school. Last year MK Council delivered Bikeability Training to 35% of all 9-11-year-olds and we’re doing all we can to increase it to 60% this year. I pledged to work with our schools to find ways we can work together with the Cycling Citizens alliance to achieve this goal, and get to 80% by 2025.”

Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented by Deputy-Mayor Cllr Marie Bradburn:

• Organisation with most registered riders – MK Breeze Women’s Cycling Group (16 riders)
• School with most registered riders – Two Mile Ash (20 riders)
• Best Blinged Bike – prizes donated by John Lewis for 1st place (https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-christmas-advert-2023-snapper-character-plush-soft-toy/p110743615) 2nd place (£30 voucher) and 3rd place (£20 voucher).

Then it was time for the Santas to cycle! MK’s Panacea Samba band provided the drum beat as they left the Square for Midsummer Boulevard.

With the help of 16 Guide Riders in hi-viz pink, the route was easy ride, attracting participants aged from 5 to 75 and a passenger dog!

The Cycling Santas pedalled up Midsummer Boulevard,

then dismounted at the ‘Cyclists Dismount’ sign to walk between thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place,

then circled MK Rose in Campbell Park

before stopping for mince pies and fruit.

Some pedalled on to the Light Pyramid and back.

before finally heading back to Station Square.

Thanks to MK Community Foundation for providing staging, Cycle Saviours (MK Christian Foundation) for providing transport and bike repairs, The Parks Trust for providing sound, Fully Charged for pedal haulage, and JAR Photography for the professional images above.

On Thursday 23rd November, Madison Cycles’ CEO Dom Langan welcomed 34 people from 19 MK’s businesses and education organisations to celebrate the results of this term’s MK Business Cycling Challenge and MK Schools Cycling Challenge.

“It was a pleasure to host the Cycling Citizens MK awards at Madison and to be joined by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress,” said Dom afterwards. “There were some emotional speeches about how cycling has changed their lives and some inspirational speeches about how teaching children to cycle is changing their lives for the better. Milton Keynes is very lucky to have such a motivated group of people promoting cycling for our community.”

After an update on Cycling CitizensMK’s strategy from Malcolm Davies of Trek Bikes and Michael Pattinson of PWC, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Action on Climate Change, gave her reflections on the importance of cycling to MK. She pledged to attend a meeting with the Cycling CitizensMK strategy group in the next three months.

Awards were then presented by Mayor & Mayoress Mick & Mandy Legg:

• Top Cycling Secondary School (most students in Year 7 travel survey and most cycles on site per 100 students) – Watling Academy (220 Year 7 students, 12.4 bikes per 100) – collected by Assistant Headteacher Cameron Parks (first picture below).
• Top Cycling Company (biggest increase in cycles on site compared with May23) – The Open University (9%) – collected by the OU’s Jodi Houghton (third picture below)
• Top Cycling Company (most cycles on site per 100 employees) – Gemini Rail Services (7 bicycles)
• Best new cycle parking provision – Unity Place – collected by Nathan Kennard (pictured above)
• Services to Cycling – Ringway Infrastructure Services, for maintaining roads and redways through winter.

Then John Wilkinson of Volkswagen Financial Services spoke about ‘What we have done to increase cycling among our staff’ (pictured below)

and Sarah James from MK City Council spoke about ‘How cycling helps achieve Healthy Workplace Standards’.

Teachers Rich Hill of Bushfield Primary School and Jake Saville of Two Mile Ash School (pictured afterwards below) talked about ‘What we have done to increase cycling among our pupils’,

Simon Rudiger, CEO of MK Christian Foundation/Cycle Saviours, talked about ‘How we help MK access and fix bicycles’ and Mary King gave her personal testimony of e-bike benefit.

Richard Allman & Paul Hammond of MK Council Bikeability talked about routine Bikeability training in primary schools and the upcoming Bikeability Olympics 2024 competition. And Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, encouraged people to sign up for Cycling Santas 2023. As well as fun, this will be an opportunity to get pro-cycling pledges from Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families: Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing & Healthy Communities; Cllr Marie Bradburn, MK’s Deputy-Mayor; and Dr. Ann Limb, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire.

Finally Jane Whild of Voices of Women in MK and Ann Shrimpton of Broughton Cycling Group, talked about the importance of including women when planning for cycle promotion in MK.

Then more refreshments were served, courtesy of Madison Cycles.

Photos by Jos Dyer, Madison Cycles.

Following last year’s inaugural city status celebration ride (photo story & video), 90 cyclists from across the city rallied at The Old Bus Station to thank MK City Council for its leadership and ambition in recent efforts to promote cycling to school and work.

Business and school leaders were welcomed by the High Sheriff of Buckingham and Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented.

Before the presentations, Cycle Saviours provided Dr. Bike services, Panacea Samba band played music and cyclists met a cycling dinosaur and automota created from bicycle parts by Festive Road.

There was also a break-dancing display from Kev Kallon and free hot food from Namji’s Restaurant.

While the awards are being presented, free hot snacks will be provided by Namji Restaurant.

After a welcome from Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation (pictured below left), there was a speech from Dame Ann Limb, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (pictured below centre), who later joined the cycle ride. “Cycling plays an important role in tackling inequality and reducing inclusion,” she said. “MK’s cycling infrastructure is for everyone, not just cycling fanatics.” She pledged to join a Mayor’s Cycling Breakfast next year and promote cycling at other events across the county.

Victoria Miles MBE, CEO of The Parks Trust (pictured above right), spoke about how MK’s parks provide excellent opportunities for leisure cycling as well as routes to school and work.

Then the Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented by Deputy-Mayor Marie Bradburn.

• Top Cycling Companies (based on results here) were introduced by Grant Wildman of Schwalbe Tyres, pledging a prize set of new Green Marathon tyres to the winner:
  • Top Company Cycling Promotion Initiatives (per 100 employees) – 1st place, Gemini Rail Services (2.36) – collected by David Smith
  • Top Company Cycling Promotion Initiatives (per 100 employees)– 2nd place, ICAEW (0.80) – collected by Liz Tribe
  • Top Company Cycling Promotion Initiatives (per 100 employees) – 3rd place, Volkswagen Financial Services (0.43) – collected by Mel Welburn.

• Bikeability Olympics 2022-23 awards for primary schools, introduced by Nicky Newlands, Bikeability Instructor, who announced that MK City Council has provided Bikeability cycle training to 20,000 local people in the past 10 years, including 2,187 in 2022-23:
  • Gold Award – Bushfield – collected by pupils
  • Silver Award – Giles Brook – collected by pupil Thomas Winepress
  • Bronze Award – Two Mile Ash – collected by teacher Jake Saville.

Then Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families (pictured below), talked about why and how MK City Council wants to increase cycling among Year 7 school students.

And Murray Woodburn, the Council’s new Head of Traffic & Transportation (pictured below), talked about why and how MK City Council wants to improve its national Active Travel rating.

Then Eliza Ahad, Year 8 student from Stantonbury Campus (pictured below), spoke about why she likes cycling.

“Cycling gives me freedom to explore my neighbourhood and makes me feel independent,” she said.  “I like cycling around my area, but would like it even better if more other people of my age did it too.”

Then Councillor Nolan accepted a gift for Council leader Pete Marland, to say thank you for including in the Council’s new Delivery Plan a goal to increase MK’s Active Travel rating from 1 to 2 in the next one year and also a goal to support a pilot project to get more Year 7 pupils cycling to school. Both Cllr Nolan and Officer Woodburn pledged to continue their support for these initiatives.

After a safety briefing from Dave Lewis of MK Parks Trust (route map & risk assessment), the cyclists set off up Midsummer Boulevard for a ride to the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park.

Free bikes for the event

People were invited to take up the Nextbike of free Santander bicycle use for three hours. “We want to be part of the MK community,” said nextbike’s Leigh Richards, “really want to be engaged with it.”

BetterPoints

Cyclists using the Better Points app were given an extra 250 Better Points on their account for recording a cycle ride of more than half a mile to Campbell Park between 5 and 6.30pm.

Thanks to Ringway Infrastructure Services for providing cones.

Flyer: download event flyer here.

Photos: by Sagar Kharecha.

Film: click here to see Thomas Gray’s fantastic new film about cycling in MK, Grid Spinners.

Other rides. Cycling enthusiasts meet for a short ride through CMK every Thursday 5.30pm. Just show up at Station Square.

On Friday 7th July, 36 Year 5-6 pupils from 9 primary schools competed in the final of Bikeability Olympics 2023 at Sports Central in Central Milton Keynes. This followed heats in March, May and June.

Events included an obstacle course (pictured above), relay race, slow race, bike detectives (organised by Cycle Saviours) and road ride.  Each event tested different cycling skills taught to 2,000 pupils in Bikeability training sessions run by MK City Council over the past school year.

In a close contest, Bushfield School took team Gold (pictured above), with Giles Brook running second to take Silver (pictured below left) and Two Mile Ash taking Bronze (pictured below right).

Presenting the awards, Emily Cherry, CEO of Bikeability Trust UK, commended the pupils’ skills and attitude.  She thanked the organisers and instructors for creating Bikeability Olympics. “It’s the only one of its kind in the country,” she said.  “You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved.”

MK Mayor Cllr Mick Legg (pictured left below), told the children, teachers and parents: “Our Council is proud of what you’ve done. We want more children to cycle to school.”

The action

The winners (full results here):

• Bike Detectives
  • Gold: Thusani Suseelan, Water Hall School
  • Silver: Patrik Konya, New Bradwell School
  • Bronze: Ivy Thota, Loughton School
• Obstacle Course
  • Gold: Rae Langston, Giles Brook School
  • Silver: Jake, Bushfield School
  • Bronze: Sophie Christie, Barleyhurst School
• Relay Race
  • Gold: Ted, Bushfield School
  • Silver: Thomas Jolly, Giles Brook School
  • Bronze: Dylan G, Two Miles Ash School
• Slow Race
  • Gold: Ito P, Two Mile Ash School
  • Silver: George Jackson, Giles Brook School
  • Bronze: Ted, Bushfield School
• Road Ride
  • Gold: Edie, Bushfield School
  • Silver: Ara S, Two Mile Ash School
  • Bronze: Natalia Hearn-Kasimi, Loughton School
• Overall school winners
  • Gold: Bushfield School
  • Silver: Giles Brook School
  • Bronze: Two Mile Ash School

The presentations

Thanks to all teachers and parents who enabled their children to participate in Bikeability Olympics 2022-23.

Photos by Erin and Zdenka Mgbolu

Final presentations

Engraved trophies were presented to each of the winning schools by Deputy-Mayor Marie Bradburn at the CMK Carnival Cycle Ride on 13th July.

Supported by

in partnership with

and

with thanks too for support from Martin Swift of Cycle Saviours and Chris Barltrop of Avanti Cycling.

The inaugural Bikeability Olympics was held in MK on 7th July 2022 (see photo story). Plans are underway for Bikeability Olympics 2023-24.

On Friday 30th June at Sports Central in CMK, Loughton School progressed to the Final of Bikeability Olympics 2023 on 7th July. There they will join Bushfield and Two Mile Ash, whose second teams also progressed to the final.

In drizzly weather, 26 pupils from 7 schools competed in each of five contests, including a road ride around Loughton.

“Thanks to all (Bikeability) instructors for another amazing event today,” said Jake Saville, Head of PE & Enrichment Coordinator at Two Mile Ash.

The final results were as follows (3 points for a contest win, 2 for 2nd place, 1 for 3rd place):

Schools

• Two Mile Ash – 14 points
• Loughton – 6 points
• Bushfield – 4 points
• New Bradwell – 3 points
• Water Hall – 3 points

Individuals

• Marshall B, Two Mile Ash – 6 points
• Darragh B-A,  Two Mile Ash – 4 points
• Ito P, Two Mile Ash – 3 points
• Natalia Hearn-Kasimi, Loughton – 3 points
• Patrik Konya, New Bradwell – 3 points
• Thushani Suseelan, Water Hall – 3 points

Lauren Townsend, MK City Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Realm, presented the certificates and encouraged them to continue cycling.

Supported by

in partnership with

and

On Thursday 6th July, 20 leaders from 13 business and education institutions attended the third Mayor’s Cycle Breakfast & Awards of the year, which was hosted by The Open University (photo story of last one on 16th March). The meeting was organised by Cycling CitizensMK, a project funded by grants from MK City Council’s Economic Recovery Fund and Capability Fund, using monies from Active Travel England and the Department for Transport.

Following a welcome from event Chair Deborah Cooper, of MK Cycle Forum, Professor Nick Braithwaite, VCE Sponsor for Sustainability and Executive Dean at The OU gave an opening address: “We aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.  I see it as my job, stimulated by this morning, to increase the number of people cycling to The Open University. You can rely on us doing our bit as a relatively large employer in the region.”

Then Adam Sciberras, Special Projects Director of MK Development Partnership, shared some of the ideas driving MK planning for 2050. “For too long the city has been steered by a small group of people who have lived here a long while. We’re trying to listen to those people who are moving here and will be here in the future. We’re trying to introduce cycling as a more sustainable way of getting around the city.”

Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Climate Action & Sustainability, said: “As a city we need to not just take our cycling infrastructure for granted and think, well obviously we’re going to be an active travel city, and think more about what that network needs to look like so people can use it efficiently.

“The way I am trying to work in my role and to promote active travel and public transport is to bring it into the round, so it’s about making the conversation not just about cycling, but about the health benefits of active travel, and frame it around poverty.”

Murray Woodburn, the Council’s new Head of Traffic & Transport, will say: “There are some things we can do which are quick wins.  Lighting, surfacing, priorities and removing obstructions, are relatively cheap and can be done relatively quickly.”

Then the Top Cycling Company awards were presented by MK Mayor Mick Legg and Mayoress Mandy Legg based on bike counts and the number of cycling promotion initiatives undertaken (full results here). The winners were: The Open University, Network Rail, Niftylift, MK Council and Volkswagen Financial Services. Walton High won the Top Cycling School award.

The OU’s Neville the Newt also visited.

The meeting also enjoyed presentations from Dave Lewis of The Parks Trust, Chris Brittain of Walton High and Clive Faine of Abbeygate and MK Cycle Forum, and finally heard from Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, about the upcoming CMK Carnival Cycle Ride on Thursday 13th July.

On 6th April, 35 cyclists rallied for Mayor’s Cycling Awards at The Old Bus Station and an Egg Hunt ride through CMK.

Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours and a Bunny Hop contest for a £25 prize won by teenager Dominic H,

MK’s Deputy Mayor & Mayoress presented awards for cycling achievements in the MK Business Cycling Challenge and the MK Schools Cycling Challenge and to Adam Sciberras of MK Development Partnership for his participation in the Better Points reward scheme.

While the awards were being presented, free hot snacks were provided by Namji’s Restaurant in Xscape.

MC Richard Allman of MK Bikeability introduced Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability, who gave a short speech about why cycling is important to the Council’s plans to promote active travel.

She talked about the health and sustainability benefits of cycling. “We must get people out of their cars,” she said. “We must make it easier for people to use cycle routes or any new infrastructure we build to allow them to get to places they need to go” (see video from Paul Lane).

Julie Dawes & Lutin Smuts of The Parks Trust talked about the launch of its new 30 Mile Cycle Challenge.

Richard Allman briefed riders on the Cycling Egg Hunt challenge through CMK to Campbell Park Light Pyramid. This involved cycling to collect mystery numbers along Midsummer Boulevard.

Six teams contested the challenge.

The challege was won by a four-person team including the winner of last year’s Cycle Egg Hunt, Miles Gray (pictured second from left below, with Elaine Wales second from right).

A large chocolate Easter egg prize was presented by Elaine Wales of John Lewis,

with additional chocolate eggs donated by Liz Tribe of ICAEW.

Finally three contestants took part in the Pyramid Leap challenge, a timed competition to cycle down the pyramid hill, around the nearest tree and back to the top.

This contest was won by Tam Sheikh of Trek Bikes, who received a £25 prize.

Free bike vouchers for the Cycle Egg Hunt were made available by nextbike “We want to be part of the MK community,” said nextbike’s Leigh Richards, “really want to be engaged with it.”

The next big ride through CMK will be on Thursday 13th July (see calendar for details). All welcome.

Leaders from MK business, Council and voluntary organisations reacted positively to the findings of a large-scale survey of students’ travel behaviours and attitudes.

The survey of 2500 secondary school students showed 12% of Year 7 students cycle to school while 50% are driven. And of those living within a 15-minute cycle ride, nearly 40% are driven.

The report recommends action from schools and MK City Council to promote cycling to school in order to achieve personal health & wellbeing and net-zero carbon goals.

Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, said: “If we could get more people cycling for leisure, exercise and transport, we could transform the mental health of people in this city.”

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families, said: “Imagine the difference we could make if we could get 1000 more Year 7 students cycling to school rather than being driven. Promoting cycling from the earliest age is so important. Talking to parents about how their children can cycle safely to school is vital. I am certain we can increase the 12% who are currently cycling.”

The event also celebrated the achievements of participants in the 2022-23 Business Cycling Challenge and the Schools Cycling Challenge. Mayor Amanda Marlow presented the following awards:

• Top Cycling Company (most cycles on site one day) – Niftylift
• Top Cycling Company (biggest increase in cycles on site since December) – Volkswagen Financial Services
• Top Cycling School (most students in travel survey) – Walton High
• Top Cycling School (most bicycles at school one day), 3rd Place – Lord Grey Academy

Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, talked to the video of Cycling Santas 22.12.22 and outlined plans for the CMK Egg Hunt ride 6.4.23, inviting all join.

Bikeability Instructor Dave Lewis outlined plans for the launch of Bikeability Olympics 2023 (to video of Bikeability Olympics 2022).

Jacqueline Fairclough of MK City Council’s Transport Planning team announced the launch of Better Points 2023, the app which enables MK residents to accumulate points for goods and services or charity donations simply by walking, cycling or using public transport.

Finally Clive Faine of MK Cycle Forum and Malcolm Davies of Trek Bikes talked about the need to follow up the report, and the MK Cycle City Vision meeting at Trek Bikes on 2.2.23, and plan next steps towards building a sustainable alliance of business and voluntary organisations to help the Council increase cycling.

Michael Pattinson, Director of Mobility at PWC, explained there would be a follow-on meeting for potential alliance members across the road at PWC. At this meeting, it was agreed that a prospectus would be drawn up for potential members to consider and respond to within the next month.

On 22nd December, 42 Cycling Santas left The Old Bus Station for a short ride through Central Milton Keynes to Campbell Park and back and made many friends. This was the second year of preparation for a world record-breaking attempt in 2023 (see video and photos of last year here).

The event was reported by BBC TV (above) and on BBC online and YouTube (Adventures of Paul). (Photos below are by Jane Russell Photograph unless otherwise indicated.)

As well as creating fun, the aim was to bring together leaders from different business, education and community organisations towards building a broad-based alliance to get more people cycling in MK.

Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours, a Winter Wheelie stunt contest (£50 prize won by Loven Prentice, pictured left in main picture below)

and breakdancing display from MK’s own Kevin Kallon

MK’s Deputy-Mayor and -Mayoress, Cllr Mick and Mandy Legg,

presented awards to schools and businesses for cycling achievements this winter (listed below).

Jodi Houghton (pictured below) spoke about why cycling is important to The Open University and what they are doing to encourage cycling there

and a raffle was drawn. Then the Cycling Santas rode out to the drums of new MK band Panacea Samba.

and proceeded up Midsummer Boulevard.

Along the walkway between thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place, the Santas dismounted, in accordance with instruction on blue sign

and distributed flyers promoting cycling to shoppers,

then circled outside MK Theatre

and around MK Rose

before the final stretch

to the Light Pyramid for a final hohoho

and turnaround for the ride back to The Old Bus Station (see video from The Salvage Hacker).

Mayor’s Winter Cycling Awards 2022

• Top Bikeability School 2022 (total no. trainee riders) – Middleton Primary School (246 riders), collected by Philip Morris.
• Top Cycling Hardiness School (lowest decrease in no. cycles parked at end of term compared with beginning) – Lord Grey Academy (-11%), collected by Tim Layden
• Top Cycling Innovation School (highest number of Cycling Initiatives per student) – Watling Academy (0.36)
• Top Cycling Research School (highest number of survey respondents per 100 pupils) – Walton High (36)
• Wheelie Contest Winner (£50 cash prize) – Loven Prentice
• Top Cycling Company (highest no. cycles this month) – The Open University (22), collected by Jodi Houghton, and Santander (22)
• Top Cycling Company (highest no. cycles per 100 staff one day this month) – Gemini Rail Services (7.87)
• Services to Cycling – MK Highways Department for gritting the roads in freezing weather, collected by Naveed Ahmed.

Thanks to Nextbike for providing free Santander bicycles for those who needed them. “We want to be part of the MK community,” said nextbike’s Leigh Richards, “really want to be engaged with it.”

Thanks to Ringway Infrastructure Services for providing cones.

And thanks to Jane Russell Photography and Sagar Khachera (where indicated above) for the photos.

On the morning of Saturday 12th November six women joined a Learn To Ride course provided by MK Council and led by Bikeability trainers Nicky and Maria. The location was Hollin Lane in Stacey Bushes, home of Cycle Saviours who loaned the bikes.

“It was helpful and very enjoyable,” said Kurshida Mirza of Truby’s Garden Tea Room. “When we can we do more?”

A series of five further sessions is being planned for Spring 2023. If you are interested to attend, contact Tom Bulman, cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.

Following the 50-Day Workplace Challenger recorded by the Better Points app the first phase of MK Schools Cycling Challenge 2022-23, MK Mayor Amanda Marlow presented the awards at a breakfast hosted by Network Rail on 10th November.

35 people attended from 19 MK business, education and voluntary organisations interested in increasing the number of people cycling to work and school in MK.

The presentation began with a film about cycling in MK produced by MK Grid Spinners and was then introduced by Deborah Cooper of MK Cycle Forum; Jo Lewington, Chief Environment & Sustainability Officer of Network Rail; Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet member for Children and Families, MK Council, and Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation.

Mayor Amanda Marlow said “encouraging children and young people to cycle is important for their wellbeing” and presented the following awards:

• Top Cycling School (most bicycles at school one day) – 1st place, Walton High (227), collected by Chris Brittain
• Top Cycling School (most bicycles at one school per 100 pupils) – 1st place, Watling Academy (10.71), collected by Jo Barford
• Top Cycling Company (most cycling activities & miles cycled) – 1st place, Gemini Rail Services (285 & 3793) – collected by David Smith, Free Dr. Bike Repair Day prize donated to Watling Academy
• Top Cycling Company (most cycling activities & miles cycled) – 2nd place, The Open University (208 & 1074) – collected by Jodi Houghton
• Top Cycling Company (most cycling activities per employee) – ICAEW (35.2) – collected by Liz Tribe
• Top Cycling Individual (most cycling activities) – 1st place, Ann Kiceluk, World Vision (93) – prize Cycling Helmet (from Cycling CitizensMK)
• Top Cycling Individual (most cycling activities) – 2nd place, Alan Dewick, Gemini Rail Services (87) – prize £50 voucher (from Better Points)
• Top Cycling Individual (most cycling activities) – 3rd place, David Smith, Gemini Rail Services (71) – prize T-shirt/tote bag (from MK Council)
• Winning Walker (most walking activities) – 1st place, Steve Porritt, Gemini Rail Services (221) – prize Bone conducting headphones (from MK Council)
• Winning Walker (most walking activities) – 2nd place, Charlie Byron, Gemini Rail Services (112) – prize T-shirt/tote bag (from MK Council)
• C02 Saver (most CO2 saved from walking and sustainable journey modes) – 1st place, Steve Porritt, Gemini Rail Services (265) – prize £50 voucher (from Better Points)
• C02 Saver (most CO2 saved from walking and sustainable journey modes) – 2nd place, Alan Dewick, Gemini Rail Services (179) – prize T-shirt/tote bag (from MK Council)
• Most Sustainable Traveler (most sustainable bus journeys – bus, train, MK connect, eScooter, Car Club Journey) – 1st place – Maham Khan, Network Rail (38) – prize £50 voucher (from Better Points)
• Most Sustainable Traveler (most sustainable bus journeys – bus, train, MK connect, eScooter, Car Club Journey) – 2nd place – Ian Turvey, World Vision (17) – prize T-shirt/tote bag (from MK Council)
• Top Better Points Company (most engagements per person) – Gemini Rail Services – donation of £200 to Willen Hospice (from Better Points).

“Taking part in competitions like this improves morale in our workplace,” said David Smith of Gemini Rail Services.

Richard Allman, Bikeability Instructor with MK Council, announced the launch of Bikeability Olympics 2023 for primary schools (including video of Bikeability Olympics 2022) and Raeesa Chowdhury of MK Council Transport Planning team gave an update on current initiatives.

Clive Faine of Abbeygate Development and MK Cycle Forum talked about the importance of continued support for Cycling CitizensMK’s behaviour change agenda, and Malcolm Davies talked about Trek Bikes’ rationale for supporting it.

Then all participants went outside for a photo to celebrate Network Rail’s recent instalment of visitor cycle racks resulting from Cycling CitizensMK’s agitation.

It was announced that this year’s Cycling Santas ride would be on 15th December leaving The Old Bus Station at 6pm, all welcome.

After the photo call, 10 participants attended a ‘How To Promote Cycling In My Institution’ workshop sharing best practice of businesses and schools and agreed a series of follow up actions.

(Thanks to Lisa Hathway of GGS UK for standing in at short notice to take photos of the award winners!)

120 people from across Milton Keynes gathered for a short cycle ride through the city centre to celebrate MK’s new city status and recent increases in cycling to school and work in MK delivered by Cycling CitizensMK. See:

• One-minute event trailer video
• 5-minute video showing action and comments
• Photo gallery below.

“I always thought Cambridge was the cycling capital of our region,” said ITV News reporter Matt Hudson, “but there’s a new kid on the block. The city of Milton Keynes wants to be the place which has the most people using pedal power.”

The ride was organised by Cycling CitizensMK, a project funded by MK Council. The riders included MK Councillors, business and school leaders, primary school pupils, teenagers and vintage bicyclists in their 70s. See film produced by Real Solid Media.

10-year-old Luca Galeanu, who recently helped Bradwell Village School win MK’s (and UK’s) first Bikeability Olympics competition between primary schools, said: “Cycling is important because I learn new things and make new friends, plus it keeps you healthy.”

Teenager Charlotte of MK Youth Cabinet said: “I really enjoy cycling with my friends, I just find it’s an easy way to get around.”

“Cycling is a Council priority,” said Cllr Mick Legg, Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes (below), who presented the Mayor’s Cycling Awards. “It goes to our cycling strategy and our target to halve our carbon emissions by 2030. We’ve long been a supporter of cycling. We’ve got over 300 miles of redway network.”

“For us it’s a real win-win,” said Richard Scott of Volkswagen Financial Services (above), winner of the award for large company with the highest number of cycle trips per employee. “Cycling is good for our colleagues’ health, not only physical but also mental health. Our group cycle rides in the evenings help camaraderie, bring colleagues together.”

“Cycling Citizens MK has given us motivation to get out and about in MK,” said Liz Tribe, Senior Employer Training and CPD Support Executive at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, winner of the Top Large Companies (average trips per employee) award.

The Mayor’s Cycling Awards presentation took place on Thursday 14th July at The Old Bus Station (schedule), following a Vintage Bicycle Competition (see bikes) and Bunny Hop and Wheelie stunt contests (see trailer) – award winners listed below. MC for the presentation was Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation.

MK Council’s Highways department received a Special Thanks award, presented by Dylan Murray, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament MK South, and collected by Andy Dickinson, Client Services Manager of MK Highways. “Without your hard work maintaining our roads and redways,” said Ian Revell, “none of us would be able to cycle in MK.”

The awards were preceded by a short performance from MK champion break dancer Kevin Kallon and hot snacks from Namji’s Restaurant were served during the awards presentation.

Former Mayor Cllr Mohammed Khan told the riders how proud he had been to see city status achieved during his time as MK Mayor and how important cycling was to MK’s vision of itself as a city.

The riders set off for the short ride to Campbell Park shortly after 6pm.

The ride proceeded up Midsummer Boulevard.

And arrived at the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park for a final celebration.

The award winners (photos below)

• Category 1: MK’s Top Large Companies (average trips per employee):
  • ICAEW (0.89) – Liz Tribe, Senior Employer Training and CPD Support Executive
  • Volkswagen Financial Services (0.76) – Richard Scott, Chair of Employee Forum
  • The Open University (0.48) – Nick Braithwaite, Head of Sustainability
  • Gemini Rail Services UK (0.45) – David Smith, Change Control Manager
  • Red Bull Technology (0.35) – Phill Elvidge, Production Control
• Category 2: MK’s Top Secondary Schools (average trips per student & staff member):
  • The Radcliffe School (1.29) – Paula Lawson, Headteacher
  • Watling Academy (0.51) – Ian Bacon, Headteacher
  • Ousedale School (0.26) – Tim Coffey, Teacher
• Category 3: MK Bikeability Olympics Awards for primary schools:
  • Gold Award: Giles Brook School
  • Silver Award: Bradwell Village School
  • Bronze Award: Oxley Park School
• Category 4: Contest Awards organised by Cycle Saviours and Iain Talbot
  • Stunt Contest Gold Award (£100 cash prize): Brandon
  • Stunt Contest Silver Award (£50 cash prize): Tim
  • Stunt Contest Bronze Award (£50 Madison voucher): Alex
  • Vintage Bicycle Gold Award (£50 Madison voucher): Allan
  • Vintage Bicycle Silver Award (£10 John Lewis voucher): Barry
  • Vintage Bicycle Competition Bronze Award (£10 John Lewis voucher): Steve
• Category 4: Special Award
  • MK Council Head of Highways – Thank you for providing our roads and redways. Collected by Andy Dickinson, Client Services Manager.

The contests

Bunny Hop

Vintage Bicycles

Award winners

Business winners

Secondary schools winner

Primary Schools (Bikeability Olympics)

Vintage Bicycle contest winners

Stunt contest winners

All winners

Special thanks to MK Development Partnership for permitting use of the area outside The Old Bus Station and Ringway Infrastructure Services for providing cones and tape to mark the area off for safety.

See how MKFM Radio trailed the event.

For more information, contact:

• Tom Bulman, Cycling CitizensMK, cycling@citizensuk.org, 07962 838685
• Raeesa Chowdhury, MK Council, raeesa.chowdhury@milton-keynes.gov.uk
• Adekunle Odunewu, akaodunewu@yahoo.co.uk, 07935 797242

Note: Category 1 and 2 awards were based on business and schools’ performances over four cycling competitions 2021-22 (Bike Month June 2021, Cycle September 2021, Winter Wheelers 2021, Ride Anywhere March 2022)

Photos by Jane Russell Photography.

Film: click here to see Thomas Gray’s fantastic new film about cycling in MK, Grid Spinners.

Future rides. Cycling enthusiasts meet for a short ride through CMK every Thursday 5.30pm. Just show up at The Old Bus Station.

To celebrate MK as a cycling city, children from nine MK primary schools showed off their cycling skills in MK’s first ever Bikeability Olympics competition.  Events included an Obstacle Course, Relay Race, Slow Race and Road Ride testing Bikeability skills. See:

• One-minute video of main action
• Video comments of organisers and spectators
• Photo gallery below.

This was the culmination of a year in which 3,000 pupils have been trained to achieve Bikeability levels 1 and 2 in 40 primary schools.  The event was the first of its kind – with branding permission from The Bikeability Trust – and a celebration of MK’s promotion of cycling as clean, low-cost and healthy way to get to travel around the city.

The winning school was Giles Brook Primary School, whose team of five contestants achieved two Golds and one Bronze medal.  Bradwell Village took second place, with pupil Luca Galeanu achieving the highest individual medal tally of all contestants, and Oxley Park came third (individual medalists listed below).

Jo Lewington, Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer of Network Rail, who presented the medals, said: “We are always looking for new ways to promote sustainability.  We’re delighted to have Network Rail staff playing their part as volunteer marshals at this Bikeability Olympics event.”

Councillor Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for Public Realm who attended Bikeability Olympics, said: “This is a great way to encourage children to cycle more.  We know it’s good for health and can save money as well as saving the environment.  It’s impressive that we have so many young people cycling safely to school.  MK Council is proud to have the ambitious goal of becoming the UK’s leading city for cycling infrastructure”.

Teacher Luke Bartishel from Orchard Academy primary school said: “Our school has purchased enough bicycles for all our pupils to do Bikeability training.  The Bikeability Olympics was an amazing event, a great idea, and the kids loved it.”

Bikeability Instructor Nicky Newlands, who has trained many children this year, said: “It’s wonderful to see how much the cyclists have improved and now competing together.  I hope to see many more next year, please talk to your school.”

Dave Lewis, the Bikeability Instructor who led the ‘Quadrathon’ Road Ride through Loughton, said: “What an amazing afternoon. The students on the road ride were all fantastic, and as an instructor it’s such a proud moment to reconnect with former students.” 

Daniel Mullins, Operations Director of Ringway Infrastructure Services, said: “This is a fantastic event and we’re delighted to be supporting the event by lending some traffic management equipment to help mark out the various contest areas and help the children to cycle safely while competing.”

Martin Swift of Cycle Saviours, who created the unique Bikeability Olympics trophies, said: “Cycle Saviours is proud to have supported this event, helping younger children enjoy the fresh air and exercise.”

Jonathan Stone, Manager of Trek Bikes’ new store at Campbell Wharf, which lent bicycles for the Bike Detectives contest, said:  “We want more people in MK to cycle.  It is great to be involved in the local community and we are always on the lookout for opportunities to help with local cycling events and initiatives to get more bums on bikes!”

MK Deputy-Mayor Mick Legg presented certificates to the school winners of Bikeability Olympics at the Mayor’s Cycling Awards and City Status Cycle Ride the following week.

Click here to see how MKFM promoted it.

In post-event feedback, parents and teachers scored 4.8/5.0 ‘the likelihood I would recommend the event to someone else’ and 4.7/5.0 ‘my feeling that the event would encourage the young people involved to cycle more often’.

The medalists

Photo galleries. All photos by Jane Russell Photography

The contests

The winners