Life Cycle UK are a charity based in Bristol who believe that cycling can improve individual lives, local communities and the environment. They run Bikeability training at schools, 1-1 cycle training for anyone in the Bristol area, bike maintenance courses and pop up Dr Bike’s for businesses and other organisations. Life Cycle UK also run a variety of ‘inclusion’ projects such as: Bike Minded – group rides to improve and maintain our well-being; Over 55’s – group rides for people over 55; Two’s company – Tandem rides for visually impaired people; Bike Back – bicycle recycling scheme based at Horfield Prison and a Youth project – working in various adventure playgrounds across Bristol.
Bike Minded offer support to people who want to improve their fitness and well-being. They run free, regular, friendly and relaxed group rides on cycle paths and quiet roads, free 1-1 cycle training if you haven’t ridden for a long time (or ever) and help buying a bike at low-cost if you are on low income. Along with our regular rides across Bristol, they are planning some new rides in Southmead starting this summer, the first one will be on Monday 26th June from the Greenway Centre, aimed at beginners. There will be a few bikes available if you don’t own one.
Viv Maginnis, coordinator of the Bike Minded project says ‘A bike is such a simple invention…but can do so much! I love riding my bike, it’s changed my life – it has given me confidence, helped improve my fitness (I’ve never been a ‘sporty’ person!) and my passion for cycling has even lead me to get a job where I get to promote all the benefits of a bike. Riding a bike can give you freedom to move around your city or explore new places, it is a cheap and reliable form of transport (I save £100’s a year not having to pay to run a car or use public transport), every time you ride a bike, that is one less person causing air pollution and congestion, it keeps you fit and makes you feel good!’
Life Cycle are also looking for keen cyclists to volunteer supporting people on these rides.
To find out more about Bike Minded, volunteering or join a ride, contact Viv at bikeminded@lifecycleuk.org.uk, call Life Cycle at (0117) 353 4580 or online at www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/wellbeing.
Life Cycle UK is a registered charity (1077575) that has been transforming lives through cycling since 1999.