Presentation by Jo Simon, Ridewise.
Minutes:
Joanna Simon, Ridewise, introduced a presentation on the work of Ridewise, an organisation focused on connecting communities, people and businesses using green transport. She highlighted the following points:
(a) A significant piece of work Ridewise has undertaken in the last 12 months is providing bikes to key workers. Hundreds of bikes have been donated over the last 12 months which were refurbished by the volunteer mechanics and enabled Key workers with a green way to get to work;
(b) E-cargo bikes have been loaned to business to facilitate small businesses to continue delivering goods and products enabling them to remain open and consider how they may do business going forward. The use of E-Bikes and E Scooters is likely to grow in the future and Ridewise would like to expand in that direction;
(c) A Ridewise Bike Library has been established, delivering over 200 bikes into the community to encourage people getting out and about and commuting to work. Cycling centres will be reopening soon to help training, equipment and support to help people gain confidence with cycling and safety;
(d) At least 7,000 professional drivers will be trained as part of their continual professional development. This training takes the drivers out on the road as cyclists and demonstrates what it is like as a vulnerable road user;
(e) Before lockdown Bike Doctors attended work places for bike maintenance sessions, and maintenance courses. Over lock down these have been moved online and have extended reach and proved popular;
(f) There has been a lot of work over the last 12 months with families with additional needs. Ridewise has a number of adapted bikes to allow access to cycling to those with additional needs. Join work has taken place with My Sight to take people with visual impairments on to the road for cycling experiences
(g) Ridewise aim to break down the barriers to people to access cycling by championing active travel and giving people access to the tools needed including skills and confidence;
(h) At Lenton Abbey Park there is a Bike Club where volunteer mechanics refurbish donated bikes and offer servicing to ensure bike safety;
(i) Funding has been received from Futures to train 20 job seekers as cycling instructors. 13 have completed the course so far and the others will be completing training as lockdown eases. Ongoing support will be offered, including additional training to ensure they become full Ridewise instructors;
During discussion the following points were made:
(j) The Lenton Abbey Park projected used the Pavillion, curtousy of Nottingham City Council (NCC), within 12 months it has built up to 4 volunteers over 6 days a week skills they have learned have helped them to help people in the community during a tough time;
(k) Ridewise services focus on Nottingham City as a lot of funding comes through NCC and is ring fenced for City residents. There have been some funds to support Doctor Bike and Bike Library loan schemes, however this has been limited;
(l) Safe Urban Driving courses are offered across the country. Organisations usually organise these as part of continual professional development or HGV drivers;
(m)Nottingham city is a City with low car ownership. The presentation highlights how green transport is a pragmatic response to this, and works towards the clear air agenda;
(n) The expansion of green transport helps to promote industry and employment. Thanks to European grants people on long term unemployment have gained skills in high demand;
(o) The forum discussed the situation around the works at the Turnover Bridge on Great Northern Close. There is a lot of discussion across the cycling and walking community about the current access. Cllr Williams confirmed that she would follow this up with Officers and feedback to the group;
Actions:
i) Helen Hemstock to liaise with Hugh McClintock around the Turnover Bridge access ram situation.
ii) Councillor Adele Williams to follow this up with Officers and feed back to the Forum.