| | | | | | Welcome to our May 2023 Newsletter
| | Come work with us at Capital of Cycling!
We are looking to employ someone within a community bike project with a bike maintenance and youth focus. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a Bradford charity committed to growing a culture of cycling through a community-led approach.
We are aiming to break down barriers that people face in cycling and encourage applications from a wide range of people. If you are passionate about working in local communities and able to work independently and as part of a team, this could be for you!
Some experience of bike maintenance is essential but training will be available to support your learning. Full details are here or email workshop@capitalofcycling.org for more information. | | | |
Welcoming new staff
We’ve recently welcomed no fewer than three new staff! Liz Porter (pictured top) has recently joined us to help coordinate and deliver our CityConnect Cycling and Maintenance lessons. Among other things, Liz loves off-road mountain biking and helping people get outdoors. CityConnect has done this nice little feature on her.
Also joining us is Hanna Ahmed (below) who will be supporting us with the cycling lessons, meaning we’ll be able to deliver in more locations. She has a wealth of experience from working with the fantastic HopOn and hopes to help us roll out more activities for kids as well, bringing her Balanceability knowledge. 
Last but not least, Adrian Aylmer has joined the team. He is managing the development of the Shipley Active Travel Hub. Adrian has spent many years working on community projects and for NGOs around the world, as well as for bike shops as a skilled mechanic. He never thought he’d be able to combine his passion for supporting communities with bikes so well, so we’re delighted to have him. The Shipley Active Travel Hub is a collaboration between the Margaret Carey Foundation, Capital of Cycling, Shipley Town Council and the Kirkgate Centre.
More cycling lesson times, levels and locations
Spring has seen a big ramp-up of our cycling activities.
Free cycling lessons are now available for all levels in an increasing range of locations in Bradford. Participants must be 16 or over. We offer lessons in a traffic free, private training area (formerly a multi-storey car park) above the Oastler Market in Bradford but we’re also now offering lessons in Shipley, Lister Park and more. We’ve also scheduled more lessons outside 9-5 working hours by popular request.
You don’t have to be a beginner to attend. You can also book bespoke activities to help you progress - e.g. do you want to plan a commute by bike now the weather’s better but are worried about getting a puncture or how to navigate a busy junction? We could send a trainer with you to scope it out.
Don’t forget we also run free bike maintenance lessons as well as a free drop-in Bike Kitchen every Wednesday. We hope to be offering the maintenance lessons at the Active Travel Hub in Shipley soon.
We’re also working on getting lesson delivery at the following locations - Windhill Community Centre, Bowling Park, Bierley Life Centre, Sandale (Buttershaw) and more. It’s a work in progress but we’ll let you know when they’re available.
The National Youth Circuit Championships
A massive national cycling event is coming to Wyke Community Sports Village in Bradford on Saturday 8th July, showcasing the best of youth racing in the country with supporting races for younger riders.
The event is being run by East Bradford Cycling Club and Capital of Cycling is supporting the event in a small way by providing car park marshals at NuFarm Car Park and the venue car park.
The event will produce the U14/16 girls and boys 2023 National Champions. It will be the biggest event held since the new cycle circuit opened last year and will feature the track’s famous cobbled climb!
More details will be posted soon on the East Bradford Cycle Club Facebook page. 
Cathedral Relay Ride
During Bike Week 2023, Bradford will be hosting one of the legs of the 'Cathedrals Cycle Relay'. On Friday 9th June you can either join them on a cycle from Ripon Cathedral to Bradford Cathedral, or from Bradford Cathedral to Wakefield Cathedral.
For more information on the Cathedrals Cycle Route please visit Cycling UK's Event Page or follow them on Twitter.
Summer events - more details soonWe’re supporting a range of summer activities and events this year, most are still in the planning, but you will most likely find us at some of these!
5/06/23 - Bike Week starts - activities include our regular Wednesday bike kitchen, lessons and more - ditch the car!
15/06/23 - Clean Air Day -: Activities TBC. Get on your bike and out of your car to support cleaner air for Bradford! 17/06/23 - Great Big Green Week: We’ll be offering free minor bike repairs in Shipley. 24/06/23 - Bradford Libraries Cycle Ride - Bingley to Shipley Library and back. Details TBC. 08/07/23 - East Bradford CC Wyke Track circuit trials support 16/07/23 - Frizinghall Event - (with BSTA) Dr Bike / Smoothie Bike / Cargo-bike Trials Various kids and family friendly activities are also being planned. We’ll post about those on our website and social media soon! Other stuff in the planning includes supporting Refugee Week: Food & Cycling event at our Rawson Road venue, a Sandale event with partners in Buttershaw. We also hope to host a Practitioners Forum this year, bringing together cycling activity delivering partners for networking and social catch-up.
Help!
We’re looking for affordable shipping containers to store bikes in community settings (like outside community centres). Do you have one you’re not using?
Used stools - we’re after a few stools for a community maintenance workshop. As always on the cheap ;-)
We’re still keen to receive bike donations, parts and accessories to fix up in our workshops and put to good use.
We have loads of decent used cycling clothes to give away - pop in if you fancy perusing them. Donations welcome.
Volunteer with us! Would you like help to organise and join social bike rides, support people into cycling or help in the maintenance workshop? Learn new skills and meet nice people.
Support our work with a donation  | | | | | | Our mailing address is: Capital of Cycling, Rawson Road, Bradford BD1 3SH
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