Business, Council, school and community leaders from across the city will meet to hear experts outline the causes and agree actions to make women feel safer cycling. The event will be hosted by Madison Cycles, Roebuck Way, Knowlhill, MK5 8HL, where the issue was raised last year (photo story).
Draft agenda
3.15pm Arrive and networking
3.30 Welcome from Dom Langan, CEO Madison Cycles
3.35 Why cycling matters to MK City Council – Cabinet Member(s)
3.40 What we know about women cycling in MK – actual participation and the barriers – Jane Whild, Voices of Women in MK
3.45 Testimonies of women cyclists
3.50 What encourages women to cycle – Ann Shrimpton, Breeze Rides
3.55 What encourages women to cycle at night – Thames Valley Policeintroduced by High Sheriff Kurshida Mirza
4.00 How Bikeability training is getting more girls cycling – John Davis & Richard Allman, Bikeability
4.05 Impact of Bikeability on cycling to school – Jake Saville, Two Mile Ash School
4.10 Celebrating MK Mayor’s Year of Cycling – Mayor Marie Bradburn presents Love To Ride awards
4.15 Update on goals and progress of Cycling CitizensMK alliance – Malcolm Davies of Trek Bikes and Simon Rudiger of MK Christian Foundation
4.20 Importance of data – Murray Woodburn, Head of Transport, MK City Council
4.25 See.Sense tracking report – Hayley Roche & Raeesa Chowdhury, Transport Officers, MK City Council
4.30 Launch of ‘Back to the Future’ research project – Dr. Jonathan Flower, University of West England
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.
Phil BerrySawn-through bike rack
“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.”
Following research showing only one woman cycling for every three men cycling in MK, the Cycling Citizens Alliance conducted a comprehensive survey to understand the cycling habits and sentiments of residents aged 16 and above in the city. The research collected responses from 286 adults in April 2024.
With a focus on gauging the current level of cycling activity and identifying potential barriers and facilitators to cycling uptake, the survey results shed light on various factors influencing residents’ decisions regarding cycling.
Among the key findings, the survey revealed that 53% (of 286 respondents) cycle occasionally and 27% all the time. Safety concerns emerged as a prominent barrier for the 57 non-cyclists, of which 19% don’t have a bike, 39% are not confident, 32% fear collision and 21% fear stranger danger. Additionally, of 286 respondents, nearly two-thirds say cycling would be easier if redway maintenance, surface quality or lighting was better, 24% if more people cycling on the redway. Among all respondents, Health and wellbeing is ranked as no.1 benefit.
Results
54% of respondents were female, of which 45% over 50, 76% white, 14% disabled
53% (of 286) cycle sometimes, 27% all the time
Among 57 non-cyclists, 19% don’t have a bike and 39% are not confident, 32% fear collision and 21% stranger danger.
81% of female non-cyclists (of 43) would like to start cycling; 23% (10/43) don’t have a bike
Of 229 cyclists, 39% feel unsafe on the roads, 3% don’t feel safe on redways
Of 286 respondents, nearly two-thirds say cycling would be easier if redway maintenance, surface quality or lighting was better, 24% if more people cycling on the redway
Of 286 respondents, health and wellbeing is ranked as no. 1 benefit.
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.
MK Mayor Marie Bradburn met Gold Olympian cyclist Chris Boardman CBE as he stopped off in Milton Keynes on his Pedal to Paris ride to raise environmental awareness.
Photo: Jos Dyer, Madison Cycles
“We had a great conversation,” said the Mayor. “I told Chris about what we’re trying to do here in Milton Keynes and he agreed to connect us with ATE’s regional engagement manager to talk about how we can get more people cycling.” ATE is Active Travel England, the government’s executive agency responsible for making cycling (and walking and wheeling) a preferred travel choice, which Chris leads.
Chris also met Suzanne Moss of Ringway, a member of the Cycling Citizens MK alliance (left in photo below left), and pupils of Two Mile Ash who recently won Gold in the final of MK Bikeability Olympics(with trophy in photo below right) .
Chris then led the riders off on the fourth leg of the Pedal to Paris ride to Bisham Abbey.
Mayor Bradburn rode the first seven miles before turning back to attend scheduled meetings.
15 children and five parents enjoyed the sunniest bike bus ‘FRideDay’ so far – the last ride of the term – with thanks to Brioche Pasquier UK for providing the sweet treats at the end!
This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.
The Two Mile Ash bike bus runs Fridays in term time, leaving the ‘Wind in the Willows’ Pentworth Park at 8.10am and picking up students at different points along the route. Any parent interested should contact teacher Jake Saville contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.
A similar scheme began at Bushfield School on 24th May (photo story), and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.
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
Caroline Haslett pupilsBushfield School pupilsTwo Mile Ash pupilsWatling Academy
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
43 children aged 9-11 participated in this year’s MK Bikeability Olympics final in Middleton Hall, thecentre:mk, on 5th July. Their schools had reached the final through three heats hosted by local schools (Heat 1 on 16th April, Heat 2 on 12th June, Heat 3 on Tues 25th June).
All contestants competed in five events and there were several excellent performances.
Individual medals were awarded as follows (full results):
Bike Detectives – Bronze – Oliver, Cold Harbour; Silver – Aashan, Bushfield; Gold – Rauf, The Premier Academy.
Obstacle Course – Bronze – Alfie, Bushfield; Silver – Arjun, Two Mile Ash; Gold – Reshan, Two Mile Ash.
Slow Race – Bronze – Reshan, Two Mile Ash; Silver – Alfie, Bushfield; Gold – Ito, Two Mile Ash.
Road Ride – Bronze – Amelia, Loughton; Silver – Polina, The Premier Academy; Gold – Zuzannah, Oxley Park.
The overall school trophy winners were: Bronze, Caroline Haslett; Silver, Bushfield; Gold, Loughton and Two Mile Ash (shared following a correction to the results). These schools will collect their engraved trophies from the Mayor before the Peace & Unity Ride through CMK on 11th July.
The medals and trophies were presented by MK Mayor Marie Bradburn and Patrick Jarman of Bikeability Trust UK.
A special award was made to the overall winning student: Alfie, Bushfield School. Alfie received a £50 gift voucher from Beverley Lumsdon, Events Manager of thecenre:mk.
Thanks to all schools who took part in this year’s Bikeability Olympics, and the Bikeability Instructors who set up and adjudicated the events
On Friday 5th July, nine eager Year 4-6 pupils arrived early to the Wolverton Agora bus stop, the meeting point for the weekly Bushfield Bike Bus.
They knew that all Bike Bus riders were going to be offered free cake by the owner of Tea & Toast Cafe on Church Street, Umut Alkpan. Sure enough, there was a large slice of chocolate or cheese cake for all (photo above)!
“It was a bit wet,” said MK’s Mayor Marie Bradburn (pictured below), “but we had a lovely ride despite the weather.”
This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.
Bushfield Bike Bus seeks, which began on 24th May (photo story), seeks parent volunteers to help out on Friday mornings next term. If you are interested, contact Cycling Citizens Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.
Barleyhurst, Loughton and The Premier Academy primary schools booked their places in the MK Bikeability Olympics finals on 5th July with impressive performances in Heat 3 on a sunny afternoon at Bushfield School.
Encouraged by the Mayor of Wolverton & Greenleys, Bridget Lewis (photo below(, 26 Year 5-6 pupils from four schools, including Bushfield who already have a team in the final, each competed in five events:
The highest performing individual was Aashan from Bushfield, who scored 21 out of a possible 25 points from the five contests. The Mayor gave him a special reward – to have a go wearing her gold chain! The second highest scoring students was Polina of The Premier Academy (20 points), followed by Ivy of Loughton Primary School (19 points).
The Final on Friday 5th July will be take place at Middleton Hall hosted by thecentre:mk (see last year’s final). All parents are welcome to attend as spectators.
Two Mile Ash and Cold Harbour primary schools booked their places in the MK Bikeability Olympics finals on 5th July with impressive performances on a sunny afternoon at Two Mile Ash School.
Encouraged by MK Mayor Marie Bradburn (top corner above), 21 Year 5-6 pupils from three schools, including Bushfield who already have a team in the final, each competed in five events:
The highest performing individual was Ito from Two Mile Ash, who scored a maximum 5 points from each of the five contests. The Mayor gave him a special reward – to have a go wearing her gold chain!
The third heat will take place at Bushfield School on Tuesday 25th June. The final on Friday 5th July will be take place at Middleton Hall hosted by thecentre:mk (see last year’s final).
New Mayor Marie Bradburn led 31 children on the first ‘bike bus’ pilot to Two Mile Ash School. 7 parents joined the ride.
“I am delighted to be launching this second pilot as part of MK’s Year of Cycling,” she said. “We know that cycling is not only good for your health, research shows it also makes it more likely you’ll earn good money when you leave school.”
This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.
The Two Mile Ash bike bus will run on Fridays until mid-July, leaving the ‘Wind in the Willows’ Pentworth Park at 8.10am and picking up students at different points along the route. Any parent interested should contact teacher Jake Saville contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.
A similar scheme began at Bushfield School on 24th May (photo story), and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.
New Mayor Marie Bradburn led 8 children on a 2km circuit of Wolverton to arrive in time for lessons at Bushfield School.
“I am delighted to be launching this initiative in my first week of MK’s Year of Cycling,” she said. “We know that cycling is not only good for your health, research shows it also makes it more likely you’ll earn good money when you leave school.”
“We’re pleased to be the first school to take part in this scheme as we’ve been promoting cycling for several years,” said Richard Hill, Head of PE at Bushfield School. “Our goal is to teach every child to cycle as a life skill. We hope the bike bus will encourage them to cycle more outside school as well as to and from school.”
This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.
The Bushfield bike bus will run on Fridays until mid-July, when it will end with a bike breakfast celebration for all who have taken part.
Children and supporters, including MK Mayor and her consorts Mia and Rhianna, at end of MK’s first bike bus ride to Bushfield School, Wolverton
A similar scheme will begin at Two Mile Ash School on Friday 7th June, and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.
If you have a child in Bushfield or Two Mile Ash schools, and would like your child to join the bike bus ride one Friday morning, contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.
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.
Logo design by Tim LaydenPhoto by Sarah Bayaidah
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.
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.
Photo by Sarah Bayaidah,
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.
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)
Initial research by the Cycling Citizens MK alliance suggests only 23% of cycle journeys in MK are by women. Volunteer researchers simply counted cyclists using redways in the last 10 days of January and found 131 male and 32 female.
“It’s a justice issue,” said Jane Whild of Voices of Women in MK, a partnership of women’s organisations to champion women’s voices to bring about change. “Women’s equal access to cycling must be designed in to City plans. Other research by Lime Bikes (‘Tackling the gender pedal gap’) shows only 19% of female cyclists feel sale riding alone at night and 91% face barriers to cycling. To make progress, we must understand the barriers.”
Hazel Dean, another member of the research group, said: “For me the barrier was my confidence. By joining the short cycle ride through CMK organised by Cycling Citizens on Thursdays, I now have the confidence to cycle around where I live.”
In partnership with MK City Council, Jane Whild has created a short online survey, https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CyclingMK/, and wants at least 1,000 MK residents, female and male, to complete it.
Kurshida Mirza, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in Nomination 2024-25, said: “I’d love to cycle more around Milton Keynes, but I don’t feel very confident on my bike yet. I’m interested to see what other women are saying about why they don’t cycle”.
Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “As a regular cyclist I know what some of the barriers to cycling are. Given the Council’s goal of reducing carbon emissions, and our principle of equal access to transport facilities, we urge as many adults as possible to fill in the short survey.”
At 10.30am on Saturday 14th December 2024, 500 MK residents will rally at Station Square, MK9 1LA, and set off on a short ride through Central Milton Keynes to Campbell Park and back (see photo story of last year’s event). This will be a formal world record attempt.
Register here now to participate, including a free Santa costume and/or free Tier/Santander hire bike on the day, if you need it.
There will be awards for the company and the school with the most registered Cycling Santas, and prizes for the best blinged bikes!
As well as creating fun, the event will bring 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. This will be an opportunity from our civic and political leaders about their visions for cycling in MK.
The route itself is an easy ride, suitable for adults and children (with parents). The Cycling Santas will pedal up Midsummer Boulevard in the left-hand lane, as legally permitted, led and supported by 16 Guide Riders wearing pink hi-viz jackets, whose role includes making all junctions safe as the cyclists pass through. Cyclists will dismount to walk between thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place, the cycle together to MK Rose, and round and round it a few times, where mince pies and fruit will be shared. From there, most will return to Station Square by the same route (some will leave for home). For details, see Route & Risk Assessment.
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)
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.
Deputy Mayoress Marie Bradburn joined leaders from member organisations and supporters to launch the Cycling CitizensMK alliance at Campbell Park Pavilion.
“We’re pleased to be hosting this, proud to be a founder member,” said Julie Dawes, Events and Community Engagement Manager for The Parks Trust.
Nudrat Hopper and Tom Bulman, both Community Organisers of Citizens UK, talked about the method of Organising which has been used to build the alliance.
Malcolm Davies of Trek Bikes and Daniel Mullins of Ringway Infrastructure Services agreed to serve as co-chairs, at least initially.
Daniel’s Ringway colleague Suzanne Moss presented a draft survey to find out more about why people don’t cycle – and also details of an electric assisted pedal vehicle which could be made into the MK Mayoress’ chariot next year. Cllr Bradburn agreed to ride in provided room for another person in the carriage.
The meeting also heard about a recent application for funding of a Cycling Transition 567 project to increase cycling among school pupils in Years 5-7, and powerful and challenging testimony from Suze Miller, author of a report on ‘How people use and value their cars‘ while a student at The Open University.
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.”
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 Servicesfor providing cones.
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.”
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
With their European head office and Campbell Wharf store in Milton Keynes, Trek is excited to be part of this project encouraging kids and families to enjoy all the benefits that cycling brings.
in partnership with
MK Council has a goal to make Milton Keynes the UK’s leading city for cycle infrastructure.
and
with thanks too for support from Martin Swift of Cycle Saviours and Chris Barltrop of Avanti Cycling.
On Sunday 2nd July, 850 Fishermead residents took part in a celebration of the estate’s history, diversity and positivity. There was dancing, singing, a portrait photo booth, sports competition, games, an array of cultural dress and abundant world food stalls supported by donations from local businesses.
In the first screening of a new film, hosted by Fishermead Mosque, residents talked about their pride in the estate. The children of Jubilee Wood School sang a new song about Fishermead (hear song in film below).
A scale model of the original 1970s plan for the area was also exhibited at the Mosque.
Visiting dignitaries including MK’s Mayor and Mayoress, the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and the MP for MK North, said how impressed they were with the friendliness and creativity of residents.
Xtrim Hair & Beauty Salon won Gold in the Fishermead Business Olympics, with Freestyle Cosmetics running a close second for Silver, and Testimony Ghanaian Cuisine taking Bronze. The Cooperative Convenience Store won a special award for Services to the Community as did outgoing Chair of Campbell Park Parish Council, Terry Baines.
“We will do this again next year!” said MC Joey Acheampong (above).
“Everyone wanted to say something positive as they were leaving,” said Ruth Legh-Smith, one of the volunteers managing the road closure (seated in photo below). “As someone who hasn’t lived here very long, I can’t help thinking that these are all competent, sensible, lovely people, and maybe this is isn’t recognised much.”
Some residents’ comments:
“What a day for Fishermead!”
“It brought the community together”
“It was great to have the police there”
“Amazing food. The queues for food didn’t get any shorter.”
“So good for the kids. The games were good.”
“Any kid who comes to this will grow up knowing Fishermead as a good place “
“The event was spectacular in an area known for a lack of affluence.”
“All the litter was collected during the event (by volunteers from the Seventh Day Adventist Church) and removed soon afterwards.”
The Organising team thanks everyone who helped to make the event happen, including MK Community Foundation and Campbell Park Parish Council for a small grant and help with road closures, Fishermead Trinity Centre for looking after the volunteers, Return MK for delivering quality sound from the stage, Samaritans MK and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers for running advice stands, MK Police for being part of the party, New Bradwell SEN Dept for baking the Pirate Ship cake, Chinese Overseas Church Mission for running a Chinese Calligraphy stall, Pebbles Children’s Centre and Acorn Nursery for running children’s play activities, The Co-op and Fishermead Mosque for allowing use of their car parking spaces, The Seventh-day Adventist Church for hosting planning meetings and printing,
and The Living Archive for making the new film. Thanks too, to the local shops who donated food and drink: Convenience Store & Off Licence, Evergreen Foods, Sabeeh Mini Market, Testimony Ghanaian Cuisine, The Co-op and XLN Take Away.
This event, and the wider Fishermead Citizens project, was supported by funding from MK Community Foundation, Campbell Park Parish Council and donations from Councillors Donna Fuller, Sue and Val Dixon.
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
With their European head office and Campbell Wharf store in Milton Keynes, Trek is excited to be part of this project encouraging kids and families to enjoy all the benefits that cycling brings.
in partnership with
MK Council has a goal to make Milton Keynes the UK’s leading city for cycle infrastructure.
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.
35 pupils from five MK primary schools tested their cycling skills in the second heat of MK Bikeability Olympics 2023. The event was held at Middleton Hall, thanks to thecentre:mk management, attracting parents and passing shoppers to enjoy the spectacle.
Pupils competed over five contests, including an obstacle course, slow race, relay race and a road ride in Central Milton Keynes.
After a close contest, pupils from Slated Row and The Premier Academy were edged out by pupils from Bushfield, Giles Brook and Caroline Haslett schools, who now proceed to meet Barleyhurst and Two Mile Ash schools in the final on Friday 7th July. The final heat will take place at Sports Central on Friday 30th June, for which registration is still open – click link to sign up here.
Presenting the awards, Matthew John, Development Director for MyMiltonKeynes, said: “It’s important to us all – businesses and individual citizens alike – that more people cycle, starting with our youngest citizens!”
Cycling CitizensMK recently scored an important win: inclusion of specific pro-cycling goals in the Council’s Delivery Plan 23/24 (pts 73 & 74). Setting the goal of achieving Level 2 or higher with Active Travel England opens the prospect of additional funding from central government to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in Milton Keynes.
This win came about through a meeting with Cllr Pete Marland, leader of MK City Council, on 16th May. Cycling CitizensMK was represented by three leaders: James Heslop, Director of Strategy at Network Rail; Jim Parker, Executive Principal of Tove Learning Trust (Lord Grey Academya nd Stantonbury School); and Nicky Newlands, Bikeability Trainer.
Each leader gave testimony of their different interests in promoting cycling (for employees’ health, for improved routes to school, for cycling skills development) and listened to Cllr Marland’s explanation of Council priorities and constraints. They requested that he prioritise: a) achieving ATE Level 2; b) supporting a new initiative to promote cycling to school.
A few days after the meeting, the two requests were included in the Council’s Delivery Plan for the year ahead.
This follows a successful Redways Relaunch campaign of 2017 which won a pledge from Cllr Marland as Council Leader to make 50 specific improvements to the redways around five schools. In the end, the Council made 253 improvements.
Adam Sciberras (second from left of left photo above) & Dominic H (middle of right photo)
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.”
Nextbike enables a user friendly service that supports cities in creating sustainable and integrated travel solutions.
The next big ride through CMK will be on Thursday 13th July (see calendar for details). All welcome.
On a cold Friday afternoon, 13 students from Barleyhurst and Two Mile Ash primary schools competed in the first heat of Bikeability Olympics 2023 (won by Giles Brook last year – see story).
Both schools proceeded through to the finals which we be held on 7th July (see details).
The highest scoring individual winners (full results below) were:
1st place – Reshan Mohanathas, Two Mile Ash
2nd place – Sophie Christie, Barleyhurst
3rd place – Kaydi Mcmanus, Barleyhurst.
Presenting the certificates, Cllr Emily Darlington, MK City Council Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, said: “It’s good for Milton Keynes to have young people cycling and these contestants show a good example to us all.”
Joe Passmore, Deputy Headteacher of Barleyhurst Primary School, ,said: “Despite the wind and rain, pupils completed the various cycling challenges with enthusiasm and enjoyment. It was fantastic to see their team spirit as they cheered each other on to be the best that they could be. A lovely afternoon.”
Jake Saville, Head of PE & Enrichment Coordinator at Two Mile Ash School, said: “The children had a great time taking on the five challenges which tested their cycling skills and knowledge. The Bikeability instructors provided the children with lots of support, encouragement and most importantly made sure they enjoyed themselves! It was a wonderful event and we look forward to being involved again in the future.”
Richard Allman, Bikeability Instructor who organised the Obstacle Course event, said: “It was great to see how the children had developed & improved their riding skills since completing the Level 2 course.”
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.”
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
Walton HighLord Grey SchoolVolkswagen Financial ServicesDenzel Onyango and Daniel Molnar collect Niftylift’s award for Top Cycling Company (most cycles on site) in March
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.
20 Fishermead leaders, residents and former residents met to plan activities for the 50th birthday celebration on Sunday 2nd July – updated details here.
22 leaders attended a one-day training on the 5 steps to social change at Water Eaton Church Centre, south Milton Keynes. Participants came from as near as the immediate vicinity and as far as Hong Kong.
Participants practised 121s and learned about the process of building relational power for action to achieve social change.
At the end, they shared actions they were now planning to take in their communities.
In post-training evaluation, participants scored it 8 out of 10.
More than 100 Fishermead residents and leaders of local civil society institutions – churches, mosque, schools and other community groups – attended a meeting with the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe, hosted by the Chinese Overseas Church Mission (COCM) on Padstow Ave. They wanted to know if she could help them get a visit from the Royal Family later to celebrate the estate’s 50th birthday later in the year.
This followed an assembly with the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire three months ago to celebrate Fishermead’s successes and talk about plans celebration (see photo story).
The evening began with a warm welcome to COCM from Rev Henry Lu and (above) an introduction from Fola Komolafe, MBE, President of MK Community Foundation (below) .
Then Lady Howe (below) told residents about her role as Lord Lieutenant and what had it been like for me so far.
Ophelia Cole of Action Speaks introduced Alix Saunders (below) , Enhanced Practitioner at Pebbles Children Centre, who talked about what her Centre had learned about early years education. She was surprised by the loudness of the timing bell (rung by Derek Bayley of Trinity Centre)!
There was more excitement when Jubilee Wood Primary School choir (below) thrilled the audience with a Cornish sea song (relating to all Fishermead’s streets being named after places in Cornwall).
Then Mike Kelly of MK Samaritans and Clare Doughty of Salvation Army Lifehouse talked about what they had learned about supporting mental health and wellbeing.
In a show of great personal kindness, young Muhammed of MK Gallacticos Football Club (above) won the keepyuppies football contest in front of the audience – by 100 touches! – and generously shared his £30 cash prize with the two other contestants.
Badr Zamaan, representing local shop Sabeeh Mini Market (above), explained why Fishermead is unhappy with its reputation and said ‘If a Prince comes to Fishermead, who can say it is not safe here?’
then Ursy White (above) outlined plans for about Fishermead. She told the story of how the alien Zarina landed at Fishermead’s junior school one night in 1988 and enthralled the pupils for several weeks and explained the plan to both screen a film of that project and make another film about ‘Fishermead landings’ with today’s residents in May-June this year.
Various leaders then explained why they wanted a Royal Visit for Fishermead: Rev Ian Herbert of Trinity Centre Anglican Church (below);
Matt O’Brien, Headteacher of Jubilee Wood Primary School, which has 530 pupils and 70 staff, (on video link and pictured below) ;
Nana K of Xtrim Hair and Beauty salon (below),
and Benson of Freestyle Cosmetics Salon (on video link) (below):
Maria Affa of the Make Good Better Breakfast Club (below) ;
Cllr Zamzam Osman of Campbell Park Parish Council (below).
Then the Lord Lieutenant was presented with a small gift (from the Zarina Project) (below)
and gave her reaction to what she had seen and heard during the evening, how positively it made her think about Fishermead, and how pleased she was that the process for requesting a Royal Visit was underway (although she didn’t have the power to actually make it happen). Countess Howe pledged to return to Fishermead on 2nd July to present awards at the Fishermead 50 celebration party (below)
and received a loud round of applause.
The assembly ended off with positive comments from its co-chairs – David Hart, Pavle Trajkovski, Ophelia Cole and Ruth Legh-Smith – and a call to action for residents to attend an open planning meeting on Thursday 9th March for the celebration event on Sunday 2nd July.
Then Fishermead resident Harold Sharpe MBE, Headcoach of Special Needs Units Gymnastics (SNUGS) showed the medals won by his daughter Jennifer in world competition.
And finally, there was a wonderful display of Bulgarian dancing led by Krasimira Valcheva (below).
In post-event evaluation, participants said they felt ‘positive’, ‘inspired’ and ‘uplifted’, and rated the event 8.5 out of 10, with points lost for a lack of turnout from senior staff in local schools.
On 27th January six shopkeepers in Fishermead met at Frank Howe Court and agreed to work together to organise a celebration of the estate’s 50th birthday this summer.
The meeting was organised by Ruth Legh-Smith, a resident of Frank Howe Court, and attended by Cllr Terry Baines, Chair of Campbell Park Parish Council and fellow councillors Martin Petchey and Zamzam Osman; also Pavle Trajkovski, Pastor of Fishermead Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The shops were represented as follows:
Nana K of Xtrim Hair & Beauty
Benson of Freestyle Salon
Nuzral of XLN Take Away
MD Acam of Sabeeh Mini Market
Gloria of Testimony Ghana Food
Ali Asghar of Evergreen Foods.
A follow up meeting of the shopkeepers will be held in three months time, when plans for the Fishermead Is 50 celebrations are further advanced.
On 2nd February, 20 leaders from MK’s private, public and voluntary sectors met to plan a vision for substantially increased cycling in the city. The meeting, organised by Cycling CitizensMK, was hosted by Trek Bikes in Tilbrook. Organisations represented included MK City Council, MK Community Foundation, MK Christian Foundation/Cycle Saviours, MK Cycle Forum, MK Development Partnership, Network Rail, Next Bike/Santander, PWC, The Open University, Red Bull Racing and Volkswagen Group.
The meeting was opened by Deborah Cooper and Phil Murphy of MK Cycle Forum, who talked about the importance of cycling to personal health and explained the meeting aimed to complement MK City Council’s current efforts to promote cycling.
Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability, said cycling was one of the Council’s carbon-neutrality priorities, MK’s Redways needed investment and she would share the work of this meeting with her team. Jacqueline Fairclough, Travel Planning Officer for the Council, said her colleagues were focused on improving the Redway infrastructure and delivering Bikeability training, encouraging leisure cycling as a stage in the process towards increased utility cycling trips.
Dr. Jonathan Flower, former MK resident (pictured above with his family of six on a cycle in the late 90s) and now researcher at the Centre for Transport & Society at University of West England, showed examples of best practice from elsewhere in UK – especially Bristol, where cycle usage is high despite the hills – and talked about the obstacles facing cycling planners in MK, where cycle usage is low at 3-4% of modal share (see presentation).
This was followed by a Chris Boardman video about Kesgrave secondary school in Ipswich, where 9 out of 10 students walk or cycle to school.
Then Trek Bikes’ Malcolm Davies presented on how MK can use a rating of cycling infrastructure through People For Bikes as a basis for setting and monitoring cycling improvement targets (see presentation). Can MK get to 10% of cycling modal share by 2030? James Heslop, Head of Strategy at Network Rail, talked about their business drivers for promoting cycling, emphasising the benefits to employees’ health and wellbeing (see presentation), and the importance of good cycle parking.
Tom Bulman of Cycling CitizensMK then shared initial findings from a large-scale MK schools travel survey created by Tim Coffey, Science teacher at Ousedale School, showing that 5,000 MK secondary school students are being driven to school across distances that could be cycled in less than 15 minutes (see presentation).
Small groups discussed and fed back on four questions:
What should the goals be for active travel in MK, what should success look like?
What should be the next steps?
Who else needs to be here?
Who could fund the development?
Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, talked about next steps and the importance of secure funding for a continuation of the Cycling Citizens MK project. Tom Bulman recommended a bold vision of MK becoming the UK’s lead cycle city by 2050 in step with the Council’s existing carbon-negative target, a disciplined analysis of each Council Cabinet member’s interests, and a process of Community Organising to build relational power through an alliance of diverse, dues-paying institutions. Ian suggested creating an endowment fund to enable this approach long term.
It was agreed to set up a follow-on meeting in March/April to consider firm plans for such an alliance, with the aim of launching it in June/July. It was also agreed that developing relationships with officers at the Department of Transport and Active Travel England, and developing with them a data-driven approach in the context of their own goals, was vital. The main goal of this group, suggested Michael Pattinson of PWC, should be to make it easier for MK City Council to make good decisions about cycling.
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).
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)
photo by Sagar Kharechaphoto by Sagar Kharechaphoto by Sagar Kharecha
and breakdancing display from MK’s own Kevin Kallon
MK’s Deputy-Mayor and -Mayoress, Cllr Mick and Mandy Legg,
(photo by Sagar Kharecha)
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.
photo by Sagar Kharecha
and proceeded up Midsummer Boulevard.
Along the walkway between thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place, the Santas dismounted, in accordance with instruction on blue sign
(photo by Sagar Kharecha)
and distributed flyers promoting cycling to shoppers,
then circled outside MK Theatre
(photo by Sagar Kharecha)
and around MK Rose
Cycling Santas circling the MK Rose (filmed by Iain Talbot)
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)
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 Servicesfor providing cones.
And thanks to Jane Russell Photography and Sagar Khachera (where indicated above) for the photos.
Network Rail, one of MK’s largest companies, recently installed bicycle parking racks for visitors outside the main entrance (pictured above). This followed a small action by Cycling CitizensMK to draw the attention of Network Rail’s Workplace Manager, Steve Bassington.
“For years I’ve been frustrated as a visitor to Network Rail, having to lock my bike to a short railing outside the front of the building because there were no bike racks,” said one of the campaigners. “After we emailed Network Rail, we got a meeting with Mr. Bassington and showed him the problem, and within weeks the racks were installed.”
Meanwhile at John Lewis, Community Liaison Coordinator Elaine Wales also scored a win for cycling, securing bike racks for John Lewis partners (workers) at the CMK store.
“I had previously been in contact with centre:mk shopping management, MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District and MK Council, asking about bike racks,” said Elaine, “because our partners had said they do not like to cycle to work as there was nowhere safe to store their bicycles. But they did not have any immediate plans to build a secure bike shed for centre:mk employees.
“Encouraged by Cycling CitizensMK, I spoke to our Head of Branch, David Donovan, who said why don’t we turn our Partner Entrance area on the ground floor into a makeshift bike shed and add bike racks to it? We have now done exactly that and our partners can now store their bikes securely and in a warm, dry environment.” (Picture below.)
It is hard to convey why a Citizens Assembly is so special. OK, so 40 people from a dozen different institutions in MK gathered at Cornerstone Church for two hours on a Saturday morning to agree on their campaigns for next year. Big yawn, surely? Was it to avoid doing the Christmas shopping?
No! It because Assemblies are fun and inspiring! Because a buzz develops. Because that’s what happens when you have one-to-one conversations meeting new people; when you hear of campaigns making a difference in people’s lives; when you experience a different sort of democracy in action; and come to understand how we can make properly make our private concerns into public action on things that really matter to us. It is extraordinary: an Assembly is carefully orchestrated – and yet you don’t know what will happen.
On this occasion a member of the MK Muslim Association, attending for the first time, gave impromptu testimony, speaking right from the heart. A new campaign was born.
Regie Kpobi talked about knife crime
Suresh Nesaratnam of MK Council of Faiths (right in picture below) said: “Regie Kpobi’s efforts to combat knife crime, through presentations to vulnerable youngsters at places of worship, sounded like a campaign that was truly needed in MK – and I duly signed-up for it.”
Rob Paton of MK Quaker Meeting (right in picture below) said: “As one of the leaders of Action on Climate and the Environment, I was astonished at how many people moved over to stand by the climate campaign placard at the end – what a boost. I went home elated.”
Jane Whild of The Open University (third from left in picture below) said: “It was wonderful to be assembled in person again and see many new faces as well as old friends. Our Misogyny Campaign Team attracted new representatives and I look forward to planning our next actions with them in January.”
Attendees show support for individual campaigns
Rev Catherine Butt of St. Frideswide’s Church (front of picture below), who co-chaired the assembly, said: “There was a great energy in the room. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and meet new people who are passionate about seeing change in our city. Here’s to an action-packed 2023!”
Lest you are thinking this is too good to be true (puff and PR, surely?) another feature of Assemblies is the rapid ‘shout-out’ evaluations at the end.
Post-assembly evaluation led by Rev Tim Norwood
We ask ‘How did we do?’ Indeed, one indicator of a good assembly is when lots of people stay to join in and are truthful about the shortcomings as well as the achievements. Which is exactly what happened. In a lively few minutes we gave ourselves 8.5 out of 10 while also agreeing that we really must use microphones properly when we speak; and if we meet at this time of day, we need to offer childcare.
Assemblies are why so many of us love Citizens . Come to the next one and find out for yourself!
125 Fishermead residents and guests filled Trinity Community Centre for a celebration assembly and meeting with powerholders including the Mayor of Milton Keynes (2nd from left below) and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (far left below).
The assembly was organised by a group of Fishermead residents and workers who are building a citizens alliance of Fishermead institutions as part of a Community Organising project funded by MK Community Foundation. (Hear Assembly audio recording.)
Rev Pavle Trajovski, Fishermead Seventh Day Adventist Church, Assembly Co-Chair
Their goal was to strengthen relationships with powerholders and get pledges of support from them for the idea of a royal visit to celebrate Fishermead’s 50th birthday next year.
In 1973, the first house was built in Fishermead. Today there are 1,400 households and a proudly diverse community. One thing residents are not proud of is Fishermead’s reputation, which they think is unfairly negative.
Cllr Amanda Marlow, Mayor of MK, told the Assembly: “When MK was founded, the builders moved in pretty early to start building Fishermead. So many of you are original inhabitants of Fishermead, which makes such a difference. You are encouraging people to stay and to grow their families here and to make a difference to future generations.”
Awards were presented to Fishermead heroes, including The Co-op store staff and security guard Abdul; the Landscaping team of Campbell Park Parish Council (collected by Council Chair, Terry Baines); and PCSO Craig Hawksworth.
Following video testimonies from the children of Willows First School, in which they described all the things they liked about Fishermead, there was a breakdancing display led by Kevin Kallon (bottom right below), who grew up on Fishermead and now runs breakdancing classes at Trinity Centre on Monday evenings.
Young football players of MK Galacticos FC took part in a ‘keepyuppies’ contest, with the £30 cash prize going to winner Mohammed.
Then the choir of Jubilee Wood School sang ‘Count On Me’ while the Royal Visit Petition signatures were counted.
Assembly Co-chair David Hart then announced the total number was 580 signatures (representing nearly half of all Fishermead households). The High Sheriff later described this as “an incredible community building initiative”.
12 Community leaders, including Willows First Headteacher Jo Orbell and Parish Council Chair Terry Baines, took turns to say what it would mean to their institution if a royal visit could be arranged.
Badir Zamaan Mustapha, representing the owner of Sabeeh Market shops on Gurnards Avenue, lifted the roof when he said: “What we must do together is slay the Fishermead reputation dragon and rescue the princess of real Fishermead!”
Then High Sheriff Debbie Brock responded with details of what next steps would be required. She emphasised the importance of acting quickly to get a chance of a royal visit next summer (see transcript of High Sheriff’s speech) and pledged to contact the Lord Lieutenant stating her support for the idea. “It’s been really inspirational,” she said.
(Afterwards, the High Sheriff wrote: “It was spectacularly well attended with great contributions and real vitality. The collection of signatures was a great community building exercise in its own right and it would be great to keep them as a real public record of the support for the visit and celebrations”).
The organising team is appealing to Fishermead residents to add their signatures to the Royal Visit Petition online (if they haven’t already signed the paper petition) and get involved in preparations for Fishermead’s 50th birthday celebrations in 2023.
A short group evaluation immediately after the Assembly gave a score of 8/9 out of 10, noting the absence of the Headteacher of Jubilee Wood Primary School and insufficient audio amplification. One participant said: “The children were amazing, I would never have dared to do what they did tonight when I was their age, and the people who came with them.” Total turnout was 125 people.
For more information, contact Community Organiser Tom Bulman, fishermead@citizensuk.org, 07962 838685.
Thanks to Sagar Kharecha for photography (up to 7pm) and Maria Affa and Derek Bailey (below) for refreshments.
Other photos from the evening
(Main picture above shows Sophie Richens of Fishermead Trinity Centre.)
The picture below shows Rev Ian Herbert of Fishermead Trinity Church presenting the award to Sharona Edwards, collecting on behalf of The Co-op Convenience Store, three weeks after the Assembly (thanks to Ruth Legh-Smith).
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.
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.
Cllr Zoe Nolan
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)
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.
(with thanks to Lisa Hathway for taking photos at short notice!)
Primary school pupil in action at Bikeability Olylmpics 2022
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 schoolsand 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!)
On Friday 18th November, 50 Fishermead residents will meet with Debbie Brock, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, in a special assembly to celebrate the estate and make plans for its 50th anniversary in 2023. They will present a petition of 500 signatures asking for a royal visit.
In 1973, the first house was built in Fishermead. Today there are 1,400 households and a proudly diverse community. One thing residents are not proud of is Fishermead’s reputation, which they think is unfairly negative.
“Fishermead is still an estate regarded by outsiders as dangerous and a hopeless case,” said resident Thomas O’Brien. “A royal visit could help dispel these prejudices by highlighting the range of people who make this a rich community, and the individuals and organisations who help knit our community together.”
“This is a fantastic place to live,” said another resident. “We have friendly shops, different faith groups, a primary school which Ofsted rates as good, lots of green space and a kids’ play area right in the middle of the estate. I am glad we moved here.”
“I’d like to play with Princess Charlotte at the pirate park,” said the child of a petition signatory.
Also attended by MK Mayor Amanda Marlow and local ward Councillor Donna Fuller, the assembly will celebrate Fishermead’s young and old residents, with videos from Willows First School children, displays of break-dancing and football skills from MK Galacticos FC, food from different countries and testimonies of what Fishermead was like in the early days. Children from Jubilee Wood Primary School will sing ‘Count On Me’ while the number of petition signatures is finally counted, then present it to the High Sheriff and ask “what do we need to do to get a royal visit next year?”.
Leaders from a variety of Fishermead institutions – Mosque, Trinity Church, Frank Howe Court, Pebbles Nursery, Salvation Army, Samaritans, Seventh Day Adventist Church and The Coop store – will be listening and planning together over coming months a celebration for Fishermead’s 50th birthday which will show the best of Fishermead and make residents feel proud.
The assembly will also be attended by members of Campbell Park Parish Council and Milton Keynes Council.
The organising team is appealing to Fishermead residents to do two things to help the campaign for a royal visit:
add your signature to the petition (450 signatures so far). You can do this outside The Coop store most afternoons from 3pm.
attend the assembly at Fishermead Trinity Centre on Friday 18th November, 6.30-8pm. Sign up at tinyurl.com/fish2023.
Local resident Ruth Legh-Smith of Frank Howe Court said: “The more Fishermead people we have in the room next Friday, the more it’ll show the High Sheriff how much we care.”
(Picture shows Averil Aplin (left) with daughter Miyahn, who’ll be singing at the assembly, and campaigner Ruth Legh-Smith, as she collects signatures outside The Coop convenience store.)
Ten parents of children at Jubilee Wood Primary School in Fishermead, all of whom have arrived in MK in the past year, were shown around the estate by Ruth Legh-Smith of Frank Howe Court and Pastor Pavle Trajkovski of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They stopped outside and were told about the Medical Centre, The Coop Store, Trinity Community Centre, the Lifehouse Project, Willows First School, Pebbles Day Nursery, the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM) and New Bradwell Special Needs Department.
“It was interesting to learn about the many different organisations which we didn’t realise existed in Fishermead,” said parent Tony Ka Ming. “The people are friendly. It was a surprise to find ourselves hearing a talk about Fishermead (from Rev Henry Lu at COCM) and being able to ask questions in our own Cantonese language!”
Pictured above: Headteacher of Willows First School, Jo Orbell, greets the group
Watling Academy is MK’s leading school for the proportion of its students who cycle to school. One in nine students make the journey from home to school by bicycle.
This is the result of a recent survey of all MK secondary schools based on counting the number of bicycles on school premises. Kents Hill Park School and Oakgrove School came a close second and third – see results.
“I cycle to school because if helps me stay fit and healthy,” said Meghan, Year 9 student at Watling Academy. “Once you get into it, it’s part of your daily routine.”
“My parents don’t like using the car,” said Ethan, another student. “My parents don’t like using the car and I live close, so why wouldn’t I?”
“With our school focus on sustainability and being part of the MK community, I’m proud to see so many Watling Academy students on their bikes or walking to school,” said Headteacher Ian Bacon. “I want the headache of where exactly to build another set of bike sheds for our staff and students, we have only just had more installed over the summer and now they are almost full too!”
The results of the schools cycle count raise questions about the different factors affecting cycling at different schools, including access and facilities. But more and more schools are encouraging their students to cycle, and the Cycling CitizensMK project is helping them share best practice.
Fishermead leaders enjoyed another Community Walk on Friday 9th September, visiting and hearing testimony from others of their experiences, power and interest in Fishermead:
Charlie Bird, Manager of The Coop, second from rightThajudeen Lebbe, President of Fishermead Mosque, third from rightLesley Little, Jubilee Wood Primary School, third from left
...and Hayley Jones-Seal, Headteacher of New Bradwell SEN Department, third from right in main photo above.
Several actions were agreed, including collaboration to rally further support for the ’20 is plenty’ car speed reduction campaign, action to clear the ‘jungle’ bordered by Bossigny, Talland and Fishermead Boulevard, school visit invitations from the Mosque and Seventh Day Adventist Church and school invitations to participate in the Big Fishermead Assembly at Trinity Community Centre on 16th November.
Following a serious car accident and a series of near misses involving children, more than 500 residents of Fishermead have signed a petition demanding slower car speeds.
“My 12-year-old niece was killed in a car accident and my own kids have had their own near misses,” said Sophie Richens (photo below). “For the climate we need our kids walking to school, but only if it’s safe from speeding cars.”
Sophie is one of a fast-growing group of Fishermead residents campaigning for car speeds to be reduced to 20mph on the estate.
David Hart, one of the campaign leaders and a resident of Fishermead for more than 30 years (pictured below), said: “The design of the estate streets mean that in many places cars travel inches away from children on the pavement. Research shows that a 20mph speed limit would mean a sevenfold reduction in the change of serious injury compared to 30mph. We just need a majority of residents to sign the petition.”
One Saturday, following a short training including a briefing from the Police on safe door-knocking techniques, campaigners visited more than two hundred houses and flats to gather signatures for the petition. Campaigners also stood outside the Co-Op collecting signatures.
A group of campaigners sets off to collect signatures.
The petition was submitted to MK Council on 31st August and is now in process of consideration. Campaigners are confident the Council will agree to implement a new 20mph zone across Fishermead during 2023, coinciding with Fishermead’s 50th birthday celebrations.
If you haven’t added your name to the petition and would like to, you can do so online by clicking tinyurl.com/20mph4us.
Tom Bulman, Community Organiser for a project to build the power of Fishermead Citizens, funded by MK Community Foundation, said: “We hope this campaign will bring the community together to make a difference on Fishermead. Most residents feel proud of their estate and want to feel safe. This will make them feel safer.”
alliance of diverse community organisations acting together for a thriving, inclusive and fairer Milton Keynes
