Our story
When I was young I used to cycle a lot with my father, so when I had my own kids I wanted them to have positive memories of cycling too. But after a while, they weren't interested. I was telling them about all the benefits – good for the environment, saving money, being healthy – but their reply was, 'can you see anyone else like us cycling?' And they were right.
Cycle of Life was started in 2020, because of this. I was really interested in what are the barriers that stop people that look like me from cycling. I did an Active Citizens course at the Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre here in Liverpool and met like-minded people that gave me the inspiration to set up Cycle of Life.
Our aim is really simple. To get more people cycling, especially from communities where for one reason or another people don't usually cycle. We run a number of different projects – teaching people how to cycle and how to maintain their bikes – and have also set up a number of cycling clubs across the city.
One of our initiatives is 'The Clean Brake' project, which works with asylum seekers as well as young people who might be at risk of getting into antisocial behaviours. The project enables participants to complete a maintenance programme and provides potential employment pathways for becoming a bike mechanic or cycling instructor. Another 12-week programme we run, called 'On The Go', helps young people start a micro-business using a cargo bike.
Our advice
Don't be daunted by the idea of cycling or of starting up a cycling club or community cycling programme.
Being on this sustainability journey will give you an advantage in making it happen.
Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the number of people from underrepresented or marginalised communities taking part in cycling lessons, clubs, or training programmes each year; the number of participants completing bike maintenance or business training, and progressing into volunteering, employment, or further training; the number of people who have received bikes from our project; increase in the number of local cycling groups or regular rides established and maintained through the project; the percentage of participants reporting greater confidence cycling and feeling more welcome or represented within the local cycling community.
