The idea
Brake the Cycle will work with 15 young people in Southall, supporting them to have improved physical and mental health, leading to a more positive attitude to their future, further enhanced by feeling more positive about travelling outside of their ‘postcode’.
A 12-week programme, running once per week, it will support young people with affiliation to or who are affected by gang activity, to redirect their energy, through:
- learning to ride a variety of different cycling disciplines including road, mtb, track and e-bike.
- visiting and exploring London’s most iconic places.
- working on bike maintenance.
- gaining Highway road user education training and road safety.
- engaging with our corporate partners on rides to discuss future opportunities.
It will take place during times of high-risk crime and violence and times appropriate for those recruited, delivered by The Change Foundation's team of coach mentors with lived experience, who know the young people well.
What we'll deliver
- Provide positive activity in Southall during times of high-risk crime and violence
- Provide training on bike maintenance
- Provide 12 cycling sessions for 15 young people
Why it's a great idea
Brake the Cycle has the following benefits:
- Provides an alternative to gang affiliation to young people in Southall.
- Promotes diversity within cycling.
- Gives disadvantaged young people the opportunity to experience cycling in a structured and serious capacity.
- Promotes road safety.
- Promotes green forms of travel.
- Creates a pathway for young people to further develop cycling skills.
- Creates a pathway for young people to further cycling maintenance skills.
- Combats anti-social behaviour.
- Combats bike theft.
- Eradicating the barrier of elitism in cycling to make it more inclusive.
- Bridging the financial gap that prevents young people competing in the sport.
Steps to get it done
- Recruiting 15 young people
- Buying necessary clothing
- Hiring bikes
- Providing 12 weeks of sessions
