Pedal Peak District Final Report

December 2009 – March 2011

Description Pedal Peak District was the Peak District National Park Authority’s premier cycling development project, funded and supported by the Department for Transport and Cycling England, from December 2009 to 31 March 2011. The project was fully supported by Derbyshire County Council, High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council and Visit Peak District. Pedal Peak District has delivered significant infrastructure development and a social marketing programme. The Infrastructure work constituted a major element of this project. At the time of writing a great deal has been achieved and the works are still continuing for a late spring 2011 opening. The four closed tunnels have been cleared, surveyed and repaired and the entrance doors removed. Work is currently taking place to install a power supply and lighting. The tunnels, structures and a large proportion of the trail is also to be resurfaced and the access improved at Blackwell Mill Cottages, Great Longstone and Coombs Road. New signs will be put up on the trail, along with interpretation about the new route. This will include listening posts outlining the history of the tunnels. This work has involved the balancing of a large number of needs including detailed consideration of the unique landscape, conservation and heritage features of the trail, tunnels and the surrounding area. These features, and the issues that they raise, together with the limited project timescale have meant that the full link to Buxton through Woo Dale cannot be achieved in the project term. Planning consent has been achieved, through Peak Cycle Links, for a section of route to the north of Buxton at Staker Hill. (Peak Cycle Links was set up in August 2010 for the purpose of delivering the sections of route outside the boundary of the National Park). Further work has been conducted through Peak Cycle Links to help bring about further extensions to the route in the future. These major infrastructure works have been carried out, by necessity, within an extremely tight time schedule and, consequently, have been conducted in a reactionary manner. Substantial issues and delays have occurred during the progress of the project in particular in the planning process. Other projects should allow a sufficient project planning time, have carried out preliminary work and have planning permissions in place before beginning work on the ground. In addition, future projects should be aware of the wide range of technical specialisms which are involved in a project of this type and scale, and the expertise which is required. On the social marketing side, Pedal Peak District was provided with an activity diary by Sustrans to record interventions, both planned and unplanned, which could potentially affect levels of cycling. Events which broadly came under four key categories;

Organised cycle rides (e.g. 5 miles to Fabulous, Women on Wheels)

Supported group rides from a cycle hire centre

Family Fun Days

Cycle skills training (children and adults)

Bike maintenance courses These took place across a number of locations around the Peak District, including Parsley Hay and Derwent cycle hire centres and Bakewell. Each activity was tailored to the audience attending and over 3,200 participants took part in these events over the summer period. There were regular events targeted at, but not exclusively for women, providing extra support, training and specialised information. Several participants attended these workshops and cycle rides more than once. In the autumn the project shifted its focus from visitors to residents and appointed local cycle trainers, from Pedal Ready Cooperative, to carry out extended community promotion in and around Bradfield and Bakewell. This increased the capacity of the Pedal Peak

District team as Pedal Ready were able to rapidly and actively promote the uptake of cycle training and offer follow-up cycle coaching to people who had already undertaken a cycle training session. In addition, the external funding enabled ‘free’ Bikeability’ level two and three cycle training to be delivered for anyone who wished to cycle to school or work in Bradfield and Bakewell, and to new and beginner cyclists. Training was targeted to schools and other local organisations, including a commuting promotion at Peak District National Park Authority. Commuter take up was low, possibly as it was offered during the winter months. School-based cycling was very successful, however, and reached well over 200 pupils, teachers and parents. Achievements Capital works focused on the re-opening of the four disused rail tunnels on the Monsal Trail (each around 400m long) and improvements in access to the trail. These works presented significant technical challenges but will result in an outstanding experience for trail users. Local businesses have already started to take advantages of the opportunities that Pedal Peak District has presented as new cycle hire centres are being established in the Bakewell and Buxton areas. Cycle counters were also installed at four locations in the national park to measure usage of the cycling trails (see accompanying report for data from these).

The social marketing programme achieved the requirement of signing up 1,000 people in the target audience to the project website by the September 2010 deadline. A total of 2,043 people have signed up so far during the total project period and took part in logging their journeys. Of these 1,098 were in the target audience (i.e. participants cycling 1-3 times a month or less). Cycling England’s initial findings on the baseline survey of these participants found seven per cent of the people taking part had some form of disability, which reflects the work of the project to increase opportunities and access to cycling for all. Pedal Peak District interacted with just over 3,000 people at cycling training, rides and bike maintenance course events between April and September 2010. Case studies (pages 8 - 20) of this report of some of the people who took part illustrate the project’s success. Through the main summer months we worked with Visit Peak District on a ‘Saddle up for Summer’ campaign (see attached report). Key highlights include:

The campaign contributed to 1,425 bed nights being booked in local accommodation providers, with an estimated economic benefit of £160,000

119,000 people clicked through to the Saddle up for Summer cycling information on their web site – by far the most visited area of their website

More than 20,000 people downloaded cycling maps and information

Development of the Cyclists Welcome scheme with local tourism businesses

The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) is continuing to work with Visit Peak District to further promote cycling opportunities. The PDNPA’s Live and Work Rural scheme has been able to assist rural accommodation businesses with small grants to enable them to improve their facilities for cyclists in order to achieve the Cyclists Welcome accreditation. Between June and September 2010 we employed social media experts Katapult to promote a three month online social media campaign (see their full report in the accompanying materials). The purpose of this campaign was to drive more people to the Pedal Peak District website to gain more registrations. Three online groups were identified

and targeted: Families, Foodies, Health and Fitness. Activity included nine articles published on two websites – Squidoo and Hubpages, Facebook and Twitter promotions; Google placements ads, advertising on Mumsnet, development of ‘Landing Pages’ with prizes donated by Peak District businesses as incentives for people to register on the website. From October 2010 until March 2011 we worked with Pedal Ready, a local cycle training provider, to develop cycling opportunities in the Bakewell and Bradfield areas as a pilot that could be rolled out to other areas of the national park with future funding (case study 4, p16).. Target audience Pedal Peak District Project was required to target non-cyclists, occasional cyclists and returning cyclists. As a national park authority we were keen to involve traditionally under-represented groups such as young people, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, people from disadvantaged or inner city areas as well as visitors and local residents. Through developing positive leisure cycling experiences, early evidence has shown that more people have been encouraged to take up everyday cycling as a viable, sustainable alternative to car use (The Finding New Solutions Leisure cycling programme interim evaluation report, February 2011). Delivery Key activities in delivering were:

Creating and maintaining the specific website www.pedalpeakdistrict.co.uk and encouraging all participants to sign up to the behavioural change programme that gave people information, support and incentives to carry on cycling.

Marketing of cycling events through traditional and new media (with our partner Katapult) eg leaflets, posters, news releases, Facebook and Twitter.

Cycle confidence training and learn to ride sessions for adults and families to increase confidence and skills to ride on the road (delivered mainly by partners Pedal Ready).

Supported visits for disadvantaged groups eg disabled and other under represented groups offering safe and enjoyable rides to get them on bikes

Organised led rides eg women on wheels, five mile social rides

Bike maintenance classes run by PDNPA cycle hire staff based at cycle hire centres and by Pedal Ready at Hassop station café during the winter.

Family fun and Wheels for All days

Promoting circular cycling routes in partnership with Visit Peak District aimed at short break cycling visitors and people new to cycle touring.

These interventions are summarised below:

Promotion No of events

No of participants

Lesson learned

Organised / led rides

17 147 People have mixed abilities. Useful to ask more questions when they book eg when did you last ride, to ensure the ride is appropriate for them. Social riders like short stops to learn about the history and landscape of the national park

At least 2 leaders are needed – one up front and a back marker to encourage slower riders

Big potential for social rides at a leisurely pace – it encourages people who wouldn’t be motivated otherwise

Some people who book on don’t turn up

Works best from May until October as good weather can make the success of a ride

Supported group visits

21 275 Good way to reach bigger numbers

Worked well and was a great day out for many of the groups

Participants encourage each other

Free bikes for disadvantaged groups have been a useful factor in getting people out as some groups have problems with transport costs

Training 25 201 Trials of school based training with parents and children together inspires confidence and thus sustainability

Mainly women and school children who have taken this up

Can be very rewarding for both parties

Adults taught to ride become very enthusiastic cyclists and promoters of training – at very low cost!

It is a matter of confidence building for the adult women

Schools are good local hosts in rural areas, but sessions must be structured to suit individual school communities

Poor weather can affect turnout

Cycle maintenance

9 72 Regular demand for this

Sessions work best in an indoor setting in the winter months

Need to be the right length and detail for the participants

Talks, shows / information stands

20 2688 A good way to reach out to large numbers and to hand out information

Targeted e-mails / news from PPD team

2 176 Targeted e-mails are a good way to inform people of events which may be of interest to them in their local area to

encourage repeat participation

Key thing is timing so that people do not feel it becomes ‘junk mail’

Totals 94 3559 Number of direct beneficiaries (number of people sitting on a bike, taking part in maintenance training, or any other training): 695. Number of indirect beneficiaries (eg speaking to people at an information stand or benefited from the project being there): 2864

Challenges A key part of delivering the project has been to manage the financial, reputational and operational risks of delivering on-the-ground against such a tight timescale. Delivering new cycle links into Buxton has involved detailed planning, negotiation and design and led to the creation of Peak Cycle Links to make progress. For example, extending the Monsal Trail through to Buxton from Bakewell involved re-opening four disused railway tunnels that had been closed to the public since the 1960s; has been a major challenge that involved:

clearing them of rubbish

carrying out archaeological, structural and ecological surveys

repairing the brickwork

lighting the tunnels using energy efficient lighting

constructing a new surface

ensuring the tunnels are safe for the public to use All these challenges have had to be overcome in a 12 month period. The social marketing side of the campaign has had to deliver against equally tight deadlines. In less than three months the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) established partnerships, created the Pedal Peak District brand, researched, wrote, designed and printed 500,000 copies of four different leaflets, produced a range of other marketing/promotional materials, designed and wrote a new section on the PDNPA’s own website and created a project website.

Legacy

200 – 400 Bikeability trained cyclists now have the skills and confidence to help them cycle regularly for the rest of their lives. Research undertaken by ‘Get cycling’ shows that every new Bikeability trained cyclist inspires at least another 2/3 people to start cycling as a result.

Nine circular cycling loop routes are being promoted in partnership with Visit Peak District. These loops use trails and quiet country lanes and are aimed at short break cycling visitors and people new to cycle touring. They will be promoted as part of the Cyclists Welcome accommodation package.

Expansion and promotion of Cyclists’ Welcome scheme throughout tourism businesses in the Peak District led by Visit Peak District

Continuation of small grants to accommodation businesses from PDNPA’s Live & Work Rural scheme to help them achieve the Cyclists’ Welcome accreditation.

Links established between cycling professionals and promoters

Pedal Ready’s ‘I Bike’ loyalty card scheme in Bradfield and Bakewell.

Pedal Ready’s work with schools will continue and develop.

Pedal Peak District is a great example of an externally funded project and its success will be used to attract future funding opportunities.

The Peak District has already been chosen as the pilot area to roll out the national Electric Bike Network scheme.

Future plans

We are in discussions with Derbyshire County Council about a joint bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Forum for a mainly revenue based cycling project.

A one year programme is not sufficient to ensure long term behavioural change. Peak District National Park Authority is looking to secure external funding beyond 31 March 2011 when the Cycling England funding ends.

Pedal Ready is to contact the local transport authorities in order to establish hubs in more schools and to expand Bikeability training, family training, Dr Bikes and ‘learn to ride’ sessions.

Accompanying materials Overall scheme route map Finding New Solutions output table Katapult’s social media analysis report Visit Peak District ‘Saddle Up For Summer’ campaign analysis Cycle counter data preliminary report News releases examples Survey questionnaire Images consent form

Pedal Peak District Case Study 1 - Women on Wheels rides Description These were a series of monthly led rides, from spring to autumn, aimed at building confidence and fitness for new and occasional female cyclists. They made use of traffic-free trails and quiet roads – together with the occasional tea shop. The rides were free to attend. Bikes were available to borrow free of charge if the ride started from a Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) cycle hire centre. However, women were encouraged to bring their own bikes and some of the rides were from sites that did not have a cycle hire facility. Who was involved? The rides involved:

Carol Parsons, as the event organiser, to make the arrangements

Alison Riley communications officer to publicise events

Cycle hire staff (if the ride was from one of the cycle hire centres)

A ride leader and back marker. They could be the event organiser, a cycle hire assistant, a national park ranger or volunteer ranger.

There was always a first aider on the ride. Risk assessments were completed by the event organiser. There were six Women on Wheels rides attended by 48 people. Lessons 1. The rides were publicly advertised for new and occasional female cyclists but within that group people sometimes had very mixed abilities and levels of fitness. 2. Contact information was collected from people booking on the rides. Booking by phone offers the opportunity to ask a few questions about the participant’s experience eg when did they last ride, to ensure the ride is appropriate for them. 3. The social aspect was important to the riders. They liked short stops to learn informally about the history and landscape on the route. 4. At least two leaders are needed – one up front and a back marker to encourage slower riders. 5. A leisurely pace was required. The rides sometimes took longer than anticipated. 6. Some people who book on rides do not turn up on the day. As the rides were free it is not known if making a charge ahead of the ride would have ensured their attendance. 7. The supportive, single sex, non-competitive environment of the rides was valued by all the participants. 8. The rides were popular and included some training elements too. 9. The Peak District’s hilly terrain makes it difficult to plan short/easy/beginner’s rides – organisers need to incorporate regular rest stops and cafes 10. Regular times and places are useful to establish a routine What people said 1. Katrina Watson, a working mum from Sheffield, attended the Women on Wheels cycle ride in May 2010. This was a guided 10-mile ride from Parsley Hay via the High Peak Trail, quiet country roads and Hartington village. Katrina said: “Finding time to do some exercise can be tricky when you’ve got a family and a job; life just gets in the way sometimes. I needed the incentive of booking on the bike ride to get myself organised to get out and do it. “My partner is a keen cyclist but when he took me out for what he called an easy ride we ended up doing a 30 mile round trip and I wasn’t ready for going that far. The Women on Wheels ride was just right, not too far, plenty of rests and no pressure to go too fast, I’ve really enjoyed it and I’d like to do another one.”

2. Denise Thompson, a lapsed cyclist who moved to the Peak District, dusted down her little-used bike and also joined the Women on Wheels ride in May 2010. Denise said: “I moved up to Derbyshire from London a few years ago and thought I would cycle in the Peak District but I never got around to it. I saw the advert for the Women on Wheels ride in the Buxton Advertiser and then went online at www.pedalpeakdistrict.co.uk to find out more. I was so pleased when I saw the advert as I’d been meaning to start cycling again and this gave me an easy way to get back into it. “Knowing I could borrow a bike was a big attraction and it reassured me that I would be able to do the ride when I spoke to Carol on the phone. I hadn’t cycled for easily 10 years but I'd been hoping to ease myself back into cycling. My problem is a lack of confidence, seriously reduced fitness and serious weight gain. A number of weeks ago I went to the Middlewood¹ way without my bike to see whether I thought it might be somewhere I could use to get myself back into cycling. It looked ideal but I still didn't feel confident about taking the first step (or pedal!) “Finding the WoWs event felt like a dream come true as I realised a group trip with more experienced cyclists was really what I needed. I spoke to Carol Parsons² about wanting to come along but being worried about my lack of fitness. Carol was very encouraging and she explained that there would be someone available to look at my bike and check it was road worthy and if it wasn't I could hire a bike instead. She said that if I found myself struggling on the ride I could walk parts of the route. Basically she made me feel like she would go out of her way to make sure I could take part. “I arrived at Parsley Hay feeling extremely nervous. I was very early and the first person I spoke to turned out to be David Beacham3, who would be accompanying us on the ride. He was absolutely lovely! He checked out my bike thoroughly, and chatted to me about basic bike maintenance as he worked. Straight away I was picking up tips to use in the future. I had a bit of a cycle around the car park, and then David spoke to me about how to use my gears correctly. “Once everyone arrived we set off at a very easy pace but sadly I was soon struggling to keep up. David brought up the rear with me, and chatted constantly about how to ease myself back into cycling: such as what to eat to maintain my energy levels, riding techniques, cycling products, local geology and history, his own journey into cycling, etc. He made me feel completely at ease, when I could actually have felt embarrassed about how difficult I was finding the ride. He made me feel confident that I would be able to increase my fitness and reach my goal of getting back into regular cycling. “Every time we caught up with the rest of the group Carol was massively positive about how I was doing. This could have felt patronising, as I was clearly doing quite badly, but it came across as genuine recognition that I was struggling yet still persevering. It was

obvious that she wanted me to get the most out of the ride and I can, hand on heart, say that I really did.”

Notes: ¹ The Middlewood Way is an 11 mile multi-user trail running from Marple to Macclesfield in West Derbyshire. ² Carol Parsons is PDNPA’s Recreation Strategy Officer, her responsibilities currently include organising and running the cycling activities to support the Pedal Peak District initiative. ³ David Beacham worked as a PDNPA Cycle Hire Assistant at Parsley Hay cycle hire centre. His duties included hiring cycles to members of the public, repairing and conditioning the hire centre’s cycling equipment, and offering advice on riding techniques and bike handling skills to novice riders, as appropriate.

3. Peak District resident Angie Farrant became a regular participant on the WOW rides: Angie said: “We have really enjoyed the WOW and feel that it is a good way to get cycling as well as making new friends. The scheme has given us confidence. We have been encouraged by you and your team to ride on roads and paths which we would not have chosen ourselves. I would never have thought on our first ride out we would have made Monsal Head! I also enjoy using the website. I can't believe I have gone so far on my bike”. 4. The rides had benefits for Peak District National Park Authority staff who became involved in Pedal Peak District’s activities. Rose Clarke, Area Ranger, based at Parsley Hay, helped on some of the rides. Rose said: “I had not done any cycling for at least a year and was asked if I could assist on some of the Pedal Peak District guided rides in 2010. I backed up on a couple of rides with members of the public which I found very enjoyable and rewarding as people on the rides were either not a regular cyclist, or hadn’t ridden a bike for a long time so looking to re-gain or improve their confidence as well as meet new people. “There were smiles and positive feedback after the rides, and some folk returned for other rides. One person was very nervous and wanted to turn back as she was worried she was holding the group up but I stuck with her, helped her use her gears and we got round the whole route. She really enjoyed the sense of achievement as she didn’t think she could do it. “Even though I am not a regular cyclist I really enjoyed being able to help and enthuse others. This has now motivated me to organise two guided rides in the Peak District in 2011, one for people with learning difficulties and one for those with health problems. I look forward to helping out on cycle rides in the future and to dusting off the cobwebs and take out my own bike at home.”

Pedal Peak District Case Study 2 – Monthly bike prize draws Description The project was tasked with signing up 1,000 people to the Pedal Peak District website in the target audience of non or occasional cyclists. This was met by the September deadline. The current figure is a total of 2,040 people signed up and logging their journeys. Of these 1,098 are in the target audience (i.e. participants cycling 1-3 times a month or less). Cycling England has produced some initial findings on the baseline survey of these participants. We ran a social marketing campaign to achieve the 1,000 registrations to promote and incentivise leisure cycling in the Peak District. The target audience was identified as the ‘near market’ i.e. people with a disposition to try cycling or cycle more, including families, novice cyclists, occasional cyclists and groups that the Peak District National Park Authority has targeted because they are under-represented in visitors to the national park – this includes people from disadvantaged communities, inner city areas, Black and Minority Ethnic communities and young people.. The principal incentive used was the award of a bicycle, valued up to £300, every month from April 2010 to November 2010, to a person who had registered on the website and completed the survey in that month. The aim of offering a high value prize was to incentivise people to change their cycling behaviour and attract them to the website to maximise exposure for cycling opportunities in the Peak District. Who was involved The decision to offer bikes as incentives was the result of discussions with Cycle Derby and Cycle Stoke involving John Fern, head of communications, and Rhonda Pursglove, project manager. Nikki Waite, clerk/technician and Catherine Wynn, project administration officer, inputted responses from hundreds of questionnaires and registration cards. Sama Alyasiri, from CTC Challenge for Change, selected the prize winners at random from the people who had registered on the website and completed the survey in a given month. Alison Riley, communications officer liaised with the prize winners to interview them for quotes for use in news releases and as case studies, and dealt with the administration of delivering the bikes to them. Charlotte Bowler, cycle hire centres manager, was responsible for ordering the bikes and assembling them. Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and private cycle hire centres stocked registration cards and questionnaires. Staff were instructed to offer these to hirers and encourage them to complete the survey that would register them on the website and qualify them to be entered into the prize draw. PDNPA visitor centres also stocked the registration cards. Registration cards and questionnaires were distributed to Derbyshire libraries along with a Pedal Peak District touring exhibition which consisted of pop-up banners and a stock of leaflets promoting cycling in the Peak District National Park. Some local shops and cafes also participated eg Hassop Station bookstore.

Library Branch 2010 Dates for hosting exhibition

Matlock 5th-17th July

Ashbourne 26th July - 6th August

Buxton 16th August - 3rd September

Chesterfield 2nd August – 31st August

Bakewell 13th - 24th September

Over 2040 people have now registered on the website. There were eight prize winners in total:

Bike prize winner Month From

Chris Auton April Eckington, Derbyshire

Richard Tibbles May Daley Dale, Derbyshire

Roz Hart June Sheffield, S Yorkshire

Holly Thomas July Bognor Regis, W Sussex

Mark Roberts August Tideswell, Derbyshire

Cath Wilcock September Billinge, Merseyside

Claire Greatorex October Bakewell, Derbyshire

Sara Robinson November Bradfield, S Yorkshire

Lessons 1. The offer of bicycles as an incentive to encourage people to sign up to the website was successful as the prize was seen as being of high value. 2. The bike prize was never intended to change people’s cycling behaviour on its own. The face-to-face interactions of cycling events and activities was always going to have more impact on people’s cycling behaviour and this proved to be the case. 3. As a leisure focused project, with the potential for participants living anywhere in the UK, the offer of the bike prize through the registration cards, paper questionnaire or the website was for many individuals the only opportunity we had to engage with them and influence their behaviour. 4. After a few weeks of using the registration cards which asked people for their email addresses in return for being entered in the prize draw, we discovered that people were not responding to the email prompting them to register on the project website. The filling in of the card, email and call to register presented too many obstacles for participants. We overcame this by producing a paper version of the registration survey to use instead of the cards. Each participant in the cycling events was asked to complete a form immediately after the activity. 5. The questionnaires served a dual purpose as they provided feedback on the individuals cycling experience and what they thought about the local facilities etc. 6. Cycle hire staff attempted to ask every hirer to complete a questionnaire but in practice this did not happen consistently as staff were too busy doing their jobs. We overcame this by redeploying members of the Pedal Peak District team and employing casual survey staff to encourage people to fill in the forms on a series of dates throughout the summer. Having a person dedicated to the task worked well as they had time to explain about the project and promote local cycling opportunities. 7. Once people were signed up to the website and started logging cycling activities we had to rely on their honesty to fill in accurate details. What people said 1. Retired refinery worker Richard Tibbles, 71, from Darley Dale, won the monthly bike draw for May. Richard and his wife Pamela like to cycle rather than go for a walk as they’ve found they can travel further and find it easier on their joints. Richard had bowel cancer 10 years ago and cycled to get fit again after surgery.

Richard said: “I heard about the Pedal Peak District cycling project and thought it was a good thing so I registered on the website. We like to do circular tours of about 12 to 15 miles and our favourite rides are on the High Peak and Tissington Trails where there’s no traffic. We take our time and have a picnic on the way. We like to be out in the fresh air and cycle for pleasure as much as to keep fit. And it doesn’t cost anything in petrol!” 2. Claire Greatorex won the October bike draw. She works part-time as an administrator, and lives in Bakewell, with her husband and two children. Claire took part in cycle training provided by Pedal Ready, through the Pedal Peak District project, at Bakewell Methodist Junior School.

Claire said: “The cycling training was offered free through the school. My son is not a confident cyclist and I was worried about taking him on the roads so this was a good opportunity for us to practice and improve our skills. The trainers were experienced cyclists and their friendly advice and support helped build both mine and Jack’s confidence. I now know what we need to concentrate on when riding along the road – we need to look back a lot to observe the traffic. I can see that Jack won’t panic when a car comes along – it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. “We like to cycle at weekends, it’s good to do with the children as you can get further with them than if you were walking. Now we each have a bike we can really make a trip of it and we are looking forward to the opening of the tunnels on the Monsal Trail so that we can cycle it all.” 3. Roz Hart, from Sheffield, won the June monthly prize. A mum of two, she works as a part-time teaching assistant and has a one day a week ‘dream job’ working for the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative shop which opened in Sheffield in March 2010.

Roz said: ‘I was diagnosed with depression in 2003 and to help myself back onto the road to recovery I bought a cheap bike – a five minute wonder my husband called it! But things took off from there and I soon upgraded it. Now I often cycle around the reservoirs, I like the terrain, it’s not too rough but has enough tree roots and bumpy bits to make it interesting. It’s so peaceful and relaxing and good for you physically and mentally. Cycling really is an excellent way to get rid of stress. “I’ve taken Year 5 children cycling on the Monsal Trail from Thornbridge, near Great Longstone to Coombs Road, Bakewell and back. Most of them have never cycled in the Peak District and it’s amazing how many haven’t even been on a bike before. “I’m giving my lovely new bike to my husband so that he can join me for cycle rides in the Peak District. I’m looking forward to lots of rides out this summer.”

Pedal Peak District Case Study 3 – Supported Group Visits Description Supported group visits were provided to reach out to particular groups in society that may not otherwise have had an easy opportunity to try cycling or visit a national park. Through Pedal Peak District we were able to offer free bike hire, tuition and led rides to certain groups. National Park purposes put a high priority on working with traditionally under-represented groups such as young people, people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people from disadvantaged or inner city areas. Pedal Peak District enabled the Peak District National Park Authority to introduce cycling activities to some of the groups they already worked with and use cycling as the ‘hook’ to get other groups to visit the national park for the first time. The success of this approach is reflected in the survey results which show a higher than usual percentage of people taking part in cycling with some form of disability (7 per cent) which reflects the work of the project to increase opportunities and access to cycling for all. Who was involved The group visits were organised by Carol Parsons. Cycle hire centre staff booked the groups in the diary and ensured participants had a suitable bicycle. The ride leader and back marker were usually Carol plus a cycle hire assistant, a national park ranger or a volunteer ranger. There was always a first aider on the ride. Risk assessments were completed by Carol. Groups that took part included: Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s health group and conservation volunteers, Women from Fir Vale (Sheffield), MOSAIC Conquerors, Leek College, Curbar Primary School, Chaucer School (Sheffield). Lessons 1. Creating opportunities for existing groups who have traditionally come to the national park for other activities, such as walking, was an effective way to reach the target audience in greater numbers. Typical group sizes were 10-20 people. 2. The facilities of the cycle hire centres with on-site parking, toilets and refreshments, access to traffic free trails, support from helpful staff, met the groups’ needs and helped them have a great day out. 3. Members of the groups were very supportive of each other and sometimes competitive which helped motivate individuals within the group. 4. Free bikes for disadvantaged groups was an important factor in getting people to try the activity as some groups had problems with transport costs. 5. Some participants felt that regular rides and a progressive programme would be useful to build on their training and fitness. What people said 1. Mosaic is a project that aims to develop long-term and direct engagement between people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and national parks. Sheffield’s MOSAIC Conquerors group took part in cycling training and a guided ride around the Derwent reservoirs. Thirteen members of the Conquerors group, aged from nine to 60, learnt how to use the gears and brakes in a training session and then cycled 11 miles. For most of the riders it was their first time cycling in the Peak District National Park. Yvonne Witter, Mosaic and Peak District Community Champion, said: “The group were unaware of the challenge ahead of them, but, when Carol announced the distance they would be riding, their faces told me it was worth the early start and effort of getting out of bed on a Saturday morning when they would normally be enjoying a lie in!

“I had no idea how competitive the teenage boys would be and I was amazed when they returned and related their stories to me about how one of them out rode their humble guide – the Peak District ranger who led the 11-mile journey! I abstained from deciding who won the race – I believe they were all winners!” Here are some of the young people’s comments about what they enjoyed most about their cycling adventure: ‘riding down the hills’, ‘everything about the day’, ‘the challenge for my body in the hilly parts’, ‘the ride’, ‘the outdoors and exercise, the great experience was fun’, ‘the ending, the scenery and the view’, ‘a life changing experience, fun and challenging, taxing to the body’! One young man was not able to do the ride due to illness (Sickle Cell Anaemia) but he was able to join in the training session and enjoyed learning how to use the gears correctly.

Sheffield’s MOSAIC Conquerors group ready to cycle around Ladybower reservoir with Pedal Peak District’s Carol Parsons. 2. A group from Stoke on Trent comprising people recovering from health problems, including 65-year old Margaret and 61 year-old Joan, had the following to say after an introductory ride along the High Peak Trail in early May 2010: “It’s been tremendous…fantastic. We haven’t cycled for years, but we’ll definitely be back to do this again. Everybody’s been so helpful with the bikes. In fact, I want to buy the one I borrowed today. We had a nice little training session to start with. Then we went on a ride out into some wonderful countryside, surrounded by nature. We got a history talk as well, which was very interesting.”

Margaret and Joan at Parsley Hay

Pedal Peak District Case Study 4 – Cycle Training Description A key objective of the project was to encourage and help people, of all ages, backgrounds and cycling abilities, to start cycling regularly. A programme of cycle training events was initially organised by Carol Parsons. Events were targeted at families with young children and beginners and took place at cycle hire centres. They were open to a range of abilities, from complete beginners to those wishing to move on from the basics, but with an overall emphasis on having fun. During the summer months many of these events were attended by visitors to the national park, although they were open to residents too. From October 2010 until March 2011, the emphasis of the training programme shifted to national park residents. The programme was extended in partnership with Pedal Ready, a cycle training cooperative from Sheffield. We decided to develop cycling opportunities in the Bakewell and Bradfield areas as a pilot that could be rolled out to other areas of the national park with future funding. The aim was to arrange training to suit the requirements of local communities for individuals, small groups and families ranging from ‘learn to ride’ through confidence building and national standards levels 1 and 2 for everyday cycling. Training was delivered on a one-to-one basis or in small groups and included commuter help and advice, route planning, led rides, bike buddying with individuals and companies, basic bike maintenance and Dr Bike sessions. Highlights of this extended community promotion include:

Free cycle training and bike maintenance promoted to local communities, with widespread interest and support

The setting up of ‘Bike Hubs’ in the Bradfield area to promote the project to local people

School based initiatives to encourage pupils, staff and parents to learn cycling confidence skills together

A trial of workplace based cycling in Bakewell initially

Links made with existing cycling projects and initiatives

Themed rides to generate interest from non-regular cyclists

‘Learn to Ride’ sessions for adults, generating much enthusiasm amongst harder to reach groups such as older adults, women and women from ethnic minorities

Who was involved From the Peak District National Park Authority: John Fern, head of communications; Alison Riley, communications officer; Carol Parsons recreation strategy officer and contract manager; cycle hire centre staff. From Pedal Ready: David Bocking, coordinator and main point of contact, Max McCulloch, business development manager and trainers. For Bakewell: Bakewell Cycle town partners (via Carol Parsons); local Sustrans volunteers; Bakewell Methodist Junior School; Bakewell Infant School, St Anselm’s School; approximately eight more primary schools in surrounding villages; local businesses including the Agricultural Business Centre, Hassop Station café; Bakewell community police team, Sustainable Bakewell community group. For Bradfield: Peak District National Park Authority - Sharon Batty, village officer;; Sheffield City Council - Andy Wild and Paul Sullivan; Visit Yorkshire - Catriona McLees Sustainable Tourism Manager; Bradfield Parish Council; Chris Prescott – CMP consultancy; Steve Robinson – East Peak Innovation Partnership; Primary schools including Bradfield Dungworth, Loxley, Wharncliffe Side, Oughtibridge, Nook Lane and Stannington infants school; local shops, pubs and cafes.

Local junior schools participated from Great Longstone, Curbar, Baslow, Rowsley, Stanton in the Peak, Monyash, Darley Churchtown and three Bakewell school’s - the Methodist Junior school, Infant school and St Anselm’s. Bakewell Methodist Junior School held its first session in October 2010, 14 children and three adults were trained to the Level 1 Bikeability standard, and started Level 2. There was lots of enthusiasm and the head teacher expects to book in another parents and children course. Half-term activities and extending an invitation to involve parents from Bakewell Infants School are being discussed for the future. At St Anselms, Bikeability training for pupils took place in November 2010. This is a private school and the staff were keen to offer more cycling training opportunities for the students. They are considering contributing to the funding for this. Lessons 1. Mainly women and school children have taken up the cycling training. 2. The training has inspired confidence in all participants. Confidence building was most important for the adult women. 3. Adults learning to ride in particular was very rewarding for all parties. 4. A keen head teacher/staff are crucial to success of the scheme. Many were unwilling to commit to training events in the winter months but were interested in spring and summer activities. Pedal Peak District was able to book some events ahead to take place in April 2011 which was well received. 6. The school cycling training was particularly successful where parents were involved alongside the children. Involving adults and school children together for Bikeability training worked very well and would be worth promoting as a national pilot. Gaining the support of Derbyshire County Council was essential in rolling this out. 7. In secondary schools a flexible programme is essential to meet their needs and requirements. Some schools would not participate and do not allow cycling to school because of health and safety concerns. Long-term support and promotion is needed to encourage a change in thinking to allow bikes on site. 8. There is a demand for regular and well publicised cycling events. 9. Need to ensure wet weather activities are available and promoted. 10. If sessions are free some people will fail to turn up; an incentive scheme or making a nominal charge may help. 11. Beginner’s schemes are labour intensive and new cyclists do not reach the Level 2 Bikeability standard for some time. 12. Weekend activities, such as the Cycling Saturdays and Sundays, have been successful but reach relatively few numbers in winter and have high cost implications per person. These are very worthwhile, however, as they turn members of harder to reach groups into enthusiastic cyclists and promoters of cycle training 14. Some activities work better in the spring, summer and autumn months but continuity for participants is crucial. Bike maintenance needs a suitable indoor space so that it can be held year round; half or full day courses can be sufficient or run over a 4 week period. 15. Traditional promotional methods: leaflets, posters, flyers, news releases; and new social media: YouTube, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook, have been used. Direct e-mailings and listings in local papers and on local radio were particularly effective. 16. The advantage of working in partnership with Pedal Ready cycle training cooperative was that the team’s capacity to deliver was increased and there was greater momentum to move towards the project’s goals. 17. A drawback of contracting out work to a partner was some dilution of the Pedal Peak District brand name and the need to ensure a consistent approach to delivering project messages and getting people to complete the survey forms. What people said 1. Lorraine Burnett, from Rowsley, signed up for the Learn to Ride scheme in October 2010. She said: “It would have been great to learn to ride a bike as a child but I grew up in inner-city Sheffield and there was nowhere safe to do it. When you get into your 50s you think cycling is something you’ll never do but the Pedal Peak District scheme gave me the

opportunity to have a go. When I saw a poster about the Sunday morning cycle training for beginners in Bakewell I just had to give it a go. “I had a ‘bruising’ cycle hire experience on holiday a few years ago but the Pedal Peak District training sessions appealed to me as the bikes were provided and they were held in a car-free area at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell. “The trainers were fantastic, they were so patient and I got virtually one-to-one training. They constantly encourage you and give you different tips to practice. As soon as you can do one thing they give you something else to work towards. “The bikes you learn on are special folding bikes – they are quite small in comparison to bikes you normally hire and they don’t have a high cross bar – that means if you feel you are going to fall you can step off them easily. They are a lot less scary than other bikes. “The trainers were all experienced cyclists. When you ring up to book they ask you questions about what you can do to match you into an appropriate training slot. They are really good at helping you improve your balance, showing you how to control the bike, stop where you want to and look over your shoulder. I managed to cycle the slalom course of cones which I never thought I would be able to do.” Lorraine found that the cycling training was a good way of incorporating exercise into her routine. She said: “As an adult with a busy life you don’t get the opportunity to learn to ride a bike. I didn’t feel confident to just go and hire one. I like being active and enjoy running but had a knee op in June which put a temporary stop to that. Cycling’s a good way to be active without putting too much strain on your joints so I thought it would be good for me. “Even though it takes a bit longer to learn as an adult, the trainers are very good at putting you at your ease and never make you feel stupid. They adjust their training to your ability.” Lorraine lives in Rowsley so the possibility of the Monsal Trail opening up on her doorstep was a great incentive to learn to ride. She said: “The next step is to build up my confidence and hire a bike for a ride on one of the local trails. Every stage is a challenge and getting on a different bike will be a big thing for me. I’m going to arrange a ride in the spring, with a few friends, where we cycle somewhere on a trail for a coffee.” 2. Iris Stewart experienced the training despite suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. She said: ”I’m in my 70s and I hadn’t cycled for 40 years, but after getting going with the cycle training for a few weeks, I got used to balancing, using my brakes and steering, and putting my feet down properly. “After the sessions I felt a lot better and my plan in the spring is to start going on rides for a few miles and hopefully find a group to cycle with. The instructors were really patient and helped me a lot. Without them I simply wouldn’t have been able to start cycling again.” 3. Florrie, aged 7, on holiday in the Peak District from Norfolk, attended a family event at Fairholmes, Upper Derwent in June. She was able to develop and practice her bike handling skills on a mini course before cycling around the reservoirs with her parents. She said: “The best bit was weaving in and out of the cones really close together. It was just really fun. At the start I couldn’t do it, then I got the hang of it.”