Derby School Pupils Pedal Towards Independence with Community Bike Scheme
Pupils from a Derby school are embracing newfound freedom and mobility thanks to a community initiative that provides bicycles and safety equipment to young riders across the city. Fifteen students from The Bemrose School, located on Uttoxeter Road in Derby, recently visited Ayup Bikes to receive donated bicycles, helmets, and protective gear through a program supported by British Cycling.
Addressing Transport Challenges for Young People
The school recognized that pupils who move away from the local area often struggle to get to school and maintain social connections with friends. This observation highlighted the need for reliable transportation options to support both education and social wellbeing. The bike scheme not only provides bicycles but also includes essential tools, locks, lights, training, and guidance to ensure young people can travel safely on the roads.
Eleven-year-old Samko expressed his enthusiasm: "I haven't had a bike for years and I absolutely love the new one I've been given. It is definitely one that I would pick. Since I moved away from the area close to my school, I haven't been able to see my friends outside of school and have really felt like I am missing out."
"Now I have this bike, it means I can travel around to meet up with mates and get to school more easily. The first thing I'm going to do is meet up with my mates and show them what a nice bike I have," Samko added, highlighting the immediate social benefits of the program.
Expanding Community Access to Bike Services
Currently operating from a hub in Derby city centre, Ayup Bikes is expanding to two additional locations in Chaddesden and Normanton. This expansion will make it easier for local residents to access bike maintenance and repair services. Malcolm Yates, part of the Ayup Bikes project team, visited the school to conduct after-school sessions where he taught pupils essential bike maintenance skills including:
- Checking brakes
- Changing cables
- Carrying out minor repairs
Participants who attended these sessions were then selected to receive a bicycle and safety gear. Malcolm shared his perspective: "It was wonderful to see how happy the pupils were after receiving their bikes. There was a real buzz in the workshop."
"After a similar Derby initiative I was involved in came to an end, I knew we couldn't afford to lose that kind of support for local young people. We take donated, unloved, discarded and no longer needed bikes, strip them, clean and rebuild them, then put them back in society where they are much needed," he explained, detailing the sustainable approach of the program.
Funding Expansion and Organizational Structure
Through recent funding, Ayup Bikes – which operates as part of Ayup Community Limited – has been able to provide 30 pupils across the Chaddesden and Normanton areas with bicycles. This expansion creates safe and accessible transportation options for children to travel to school and meet with friends outside of school hours.
Ayup Community Limited operates as a worker-owned not-for-profit cooperative, meaning all volunteering members have a direct say in how the project is managed and developed. The organization depends on partnerships and community support to deliver its various programs and initiatives.
Educational Impact and Wellbeing Benefits
Beaulieu Watson, head of Year seven at The Bemrose School, helped coordinate the collaboration between the school and Ayup Bikes. She commented: "After seeing first-hand how difficult it was for some of our pupils to get around and stay connected with friends, we knew we had to act."
"We reached out to Audrey's Charity, who have supported the school on many projects, to see if they could help with bike donations. They put us in touch with Ayup Bikes and it's been fantastic to see everything come together for the pupils," Watson explained.
"Being able to travel to school more easily and spend time with friends outside of the school day makes such a difference to pupils' wellbeing," she added, emphasizing the broader benefits beyond mere transportation.
Neil Wilkinson, headteacher at The Bemrose School, concluded: "This initiative has given our pupils a real sense of independence and excitement. The chance to get around safely on their own bikes makes a big difference to their daily lives and social opportunities."
The program represents a significant step forward in addressing youth mobility challenges while promoting physical activity, social connection, and practical skill development among Derby's young residents.
