PROJECT UPDATE JANUARY 2012
- For the autumn and winter programme more provision was made for autistic children and their family members to access cycling activities along with BME family provision.
- Health on Wheels broadened its participant age range, so that children could join their parents/grandparents.
- Girls & ladies from ‘peddlers’ are being signposted to British Cycling's Breeze Programme. ‘Pacers’(mixed gender) can access once a month Sunday rides throughout the autumn.
- The project has now completed, but 2012 is an important year for Preston, with the Preston Guild, the Guild Wheel launch and Preston being European city of Sport.
- Cycling Projects has continued to develop its partnership working with the city council and British Cycling. This has led to an offer of continuation grassroots development for cycling across the city which will compliment all cycling activities throughout Preston.
- The support from British Cycling will allow the current Preston on Wheels co-ordinator to be based with British Cycling and to play a more strategic role across the city. This agreement of partnership will begin in Jan 2012 with the understanding that Cycling Projects will still play a crucial role in the delivery and development of Wheels for All and Health on Wheels schemes across the city of Preston.
- Cycling Projects hopes this will be the start of a successful partnership model whereby it can create community growth in cycling, improving the health and well being of individuals supported by British Cycling.

Preston on Wheels offers a variety of cycle activites to members of the community that are inactive or might be considering a return to cycling.

As part of a structured activity programme across preston, cycling is offred as a credible option of exercise. As well as rides, new skills are offered to participants. Skills and qualifications are available in cycle maintenance, ride activity training and disability cycling training.

“I was overweight and suffering from depression that l was taking medication for. I took the step to contact the co-ordinator of’ Preston On Wheels’, who made me feel that this was something l could join and actually do…Two months on I cannot believe the impact these led cycling initiatives have had on my life. My medication has reduced, l have changed my dietary needs and as well as losing weight my mental wellbeing is fully back on track! I attend twice weekly now [and] l have purchased my own cycle and l go out independently with my grand daughter.” Participant.