Cycling Citizens MK

🚲 Could a Bike Bus help transform journeys to your school?

Bike Buses give children a safer and more social way to travel while helping reduce congestion outside school gates and encouraging healthier daily habits 🌟

Schools already involved with Cycling Citizens MK are using Bike Buses to help pupils build confidence, strengthen community connections and make active travel more enjoyable for families.

Joining the Cycling Citizens MK Alliance gives schools access to support, shared ideas and opportunities to help more children travel actively and confidently.

📩 Contact us to find out how your school can get involved:
https://www.cyclingmk.org

No bike – no problem!

Earlier in the year Cycling Citizens Alliance member, ICAEW donated a number of different bikes to support and enable more people to cycle across Milton Keynes. Research shows that access to bikes can be a barrier for people starting to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

Watch the reel from that event here https://fb.watch/JdcfnjQlNs/

Seven women’s bikes were donated to the Alliance to support one of its key goals to achieve a gender balance in cycling. Around 3 times as many men as women cycle, and we want to help change that.

The donated women’s bikes had their first outing on a community ride in Coffee Hall last week. These bikes will empower women in the Campbell Park and Woughton Community Council's area, who don’t yet have their own bikes, to get wheeling.

Thanks again to Bob Pinder and the ICAEW team. Watch this space for upcoming rides and opportunities to use the donated bikes.

If you are interested in connecting with other women in Milton Keynes join Ride and Shine MK - an online women's cycling network https://www.facebook.com/groups/671809075762986

Also watch out for the upcoming Glow Ride on 22 October. Where we will ride as part of a day of action highlighting the need for safer streets and redways and better cycle routes, especially for women riding after dark.

“I cycle because…” 🤔

Because it clears my head.
Because parking is a nightmare.
Because it gets me where I need to go.
Because my kids love it.
Because it makes me feel free.
Because it is cheaper than driving.

Across Milton Keynes, women are cycling for all kinds of reasons. 🚲

Some ride every day. Some are just starting. Some are coming back after years away from a bike.

There is no one right way to be a cyclist.

Why do you ride?

Cycling Citizens MK is working in partnership with Get Around MK to help more women feel confident getting on their bikes.

Research shows that three times as many men as women cycle, and we are supporting a range of initiatives to help close this ‘gender pedal gap’.

Two of the barriers women often mention are a lack of confidence and not having access to a suitable bike. Get Around MK offers free monthly women-only Bikeability sessions, while Ann, Jane and Marie from Cycling Citizens MK lead friendly follow-up rides, giving participants the chance to practise their skills, meet other women and build their confidence.

A big thank you to Two Mile Ash School for allowing us to borrow their bikes, helping to ensure that not owning a bike does not prevent anyone from taking part.

Whether you are learning from scratch, returning to cycling or simply looking for other women to ride with, join the Ride and Shine MK online cycling community:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/rideandshinemk

Huge congratulations to everyone at Two Mile Ash School on being named Bikeability School of the Year! 🏆🚲

What an incredible achievement, and even more special as it's the second year in a row that a Milton Keynes school has received this national recognition. It highlights the outstanding commitment from schools across our city to making cycling an everyday part of school life.

Two Mile Ash School is a fantastic example of how active travel can help children build confidence, independence and lifelong healthy habits, while bringing pupils, families and the wider community together.

Read more from Two Mile Ash School here:
https://business.facebook.com/TwoMileAsh/posts/pfbid02ny5Jshe559pQtSCqB2J1dV3KqrnJMqaqFvXR8zAYAuMEYz1U3tsD9Qut9Uof2zpml

We couldn't be prouder to see another Milton Keynes school recognised on the national stage. Congratulations to everyone involved – a truly well-deserved award! 👏