Press release, [embargo] 00:01 Wednesday 1 September 2021
Cycling opportunities in Poplar go up a gear as community cycle hub launches to overcome barriers Safety, confidence and bike storage are some of the top barriers to cycling being addressed by Chrisp Street Community Cycles, a holistic community “cycle hub” pilot that has launched in Poplar, Tower Hamlets. Environmental charity Hubbub, in collaboration with housing association Poplar Harca and walking and cycling charity Sustrans, has transformed an empty high street shop into a bike library with a difference. The project not only lends out kids and adult bikes and accessories to the local community for free, but also provides cycling advice, guided rides, free bike repairs and even access to a disco bike. The scheme has been part inspired by a group of women taking part in a project for those who may be less likely to cycle, including Muslim women and women of colour in Bow, Tower Hamlets. The project, which Hubbub runs in partnership with charity Cycle Sisters, aims to overcome barriers through weekly social rides where women can cycle in a supportive and social environment. In line with the Tower Hamlets Bike Life (2019) report, this project also found that safety concerns and storage were the two of the biggest barriers preventing women from cycling. Building on this, Chrisp Street Community Cycles will pilot whether access to training, social rides and free bike loans will encourage more residents to cycle. The Tower Hamlets Bike Life report also found that only 6% of women and 16% of men cycle at least once a week in Tower Hamlets and overall, 36% of residents feel that they should cycle more. The new hub will be testing whether some of the barriers can be overcome – for example it will provide ’learn to cycle’ sessions and family and social rides to increase skills and confidence. It will also provide bikes for both children and adults to borrow for free to overcome storage issues, with Tower Hamlets being the second most densely populated borough in the UK. 1 The Government aims for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030, as recently set out in its Decarbonising Transport report. Covid lockdowns have
fuelled a surge in cycling - according to research by Strava, cycling increased by more than 35% in London and by nearly 50% in the South East between February 2020 and Feb 2021. Local resident Sangeeta has enrolled for free adult cycling lessons at the hub to increase her confidence after years of not cycling and because it is important for her to incorporate regular exercise into her life. Sangeeta is now cycling to work, as well as exploring local cycle routes with her two children aged 4 and 10, on bikes loaned by the hub. Sangeeta feels fitter and healthier and is eager to point out that she is saving money in travel costs and reducing her carbon footprint. Sangeeta, said: “A year ago, my son’s bike was sitting at home gathering dust because he didn’t know how to ride it. The hub has helped him and the cycle experts there make sure his bike is adjusted for his fit and comfort. Now, when my son rides his bike, kids are looking, admiring. I wish for other kids to do it. “For me, the convenient location of the hub and being able to book free cycling lessons, learn about bike safety and maintenance have been game-changing. If you’re rusty like me, you can learn to ride. It’s such good exercise. It will help reduce pollution and kids will be more health conscious. Save your money, learn to ride. There are no cons, all pros.” Babu Bhattacherjee, Director of Communities & Neighbourhoods at Poplar HARCA said:“Cycling offers many benefits towards creating sustainable and thriving neighbourhoods – from providing a low-cost way to travel, to reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our fitness levels. But a lack of access, storage and confidence can all be barriers in getting people in Poplar onto bikes. That’s why initiatives such as this, that give opportunities for local residents to borrow and learn about bikes, are essential if we want to encourage more cycling in our communities.” Ruth Chiat, Head of Behaviour Change at Sustrans, London said: “We want to empower a million more Londoners with the skills, confidence and equipment they need to cycle regularly. We are working in partnership with community groups to build resources in communities. We are also providing access to free cycle hire and bike checks as well as cycle skills and bike maintenance training to make this happen. Chrisp Street Community Hub is a brilliant example of putting this into practice.” Trewin Restorick, CEO and Co-founder of Hubbub said: “Cycling not only helps tackle climate change but it improves air quality, health and wellbeing, tackles congestion and reduces noise pollution on our roads. The community cycle hub has been co-designed with residents to meet the needs of the community, it breaks down many of the barriers to cycling and it aims to help change the social norm and show cycling is for everyone. Every part of the community should have an opportunity to enjoy what cycling has to offer. We look forward to sharing the learnings of this pilot with other organisations keen to support community cycling schemes.”
The cycle hub will be open between 10am and 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays throughout September. To find out more visit www.communitycycles.co.uk
Instagram: ChrispStreetCommunityCycles
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For more information, please contact the Hubbub team at Barley Communications: Katie Raby – katie.raby@barleycommunications.co.uk - 07896 533547
NOTES TO EDITORS https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Borough_statistics/Research-briefings/ Population_2_BP2018.pdf 1
ABOUT HUBBUB Hubbub is an award-winning charity and social enterprise that inspires ways of living that are good for the environment - disrupting the status quo to raise awareness, nudge behaviours and shape systems. Their aim is to revolutionise communications with the public about environmental issues - using everyday language and good design to make environmental actions desirable and tapping into things people are passionate about such as food, fashion, homes and neighbourhoods. This innovative approach saw Hubbub win the Charity of the Year Award at the prestigious Charity Times Awards in 2020. Since its formation in 2014, Hubbub has delivered more than 60 trailblazing environmental campaigns in collaboration with over 700 partners, helping to shift the national debate on key environmental issues such as food waste, sustainable fashion, air pollution and recycling. Hubbub’s campaigns include #LeedsByExample which brought together 25 of the UK’s largest companies to boost recycling on the high street, a 3-year partnership with IKEA to create the world’s largest consumer-facing sustainability campaign ‘Live Lagom’ and creating a Network of 100 Community Fridges across the UK, each redistributing on average 1.5 tonnes of food every month that would otherwise have gone to waste. www.hubbub.org.uk Twitter: @hubbubuk Facebook: @HubbubUK Instagram: @helloHubbub
LinkedIn: Hubbub-UK
ABOUT SUSTRANS Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey. www.sustrans.org.uk | Twitter @sustrans | Instagram @sustrans
ABOUT POPLAR HARCA Poplar HARCA is an award-winning Housing and Regeneration Community Association in east London. We focus on providing homes and support to residents old and new; helping to create a place where people, communities and businesses can grow and thrive. With our partners, we are currently leading an extensive place-shaping programme for Poplar, attracting £2.5 billion investment to regenerate, build and create opportunities. www.poplarharca.co.uk | Twitter: @PoplarHARCA | Instagram: @poplar.harca