Spaces for Bikes

The Fieldgate Bike Project Funded by Transport for London (London Community Cycling Fund).  Three month bike project, July–September 2011, on the Fieldgate Mansions Housing Estate E1 and in the surrounding area.  To offer and encourage positive alternatives to young people and healthy activity and enjoyment for all. bike & cycle maintenance training for young people designing cycle promotion - badges, banners and posters cycle training for women of all ages installing eight bike storage lockers 100 people actively took part in the project.  Another 300 were indirectly involved through our Eid Celebration.  The end of the project was marked by a Celebration for Women Cyclist in partnership with the Jagonari Centre, Whitechapel.  Rushanare Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, presented Bikeability award certificates to the women who had taken part in the project.   To read what Rushanara said, see below. A new blog for women cyclists was launched at the event: Tower Hamlets Womens Cycling Tower Hamlets Council, Saatchi & Saatchi and the London Metropolitan University generously supported the project with time and expertise.  Additional funding was given by Tower Hamlets Council’s Cycle Superhighways fund and Southern Housing Group.

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►   What people said about the Fieldgate Bike Project

Rushanara Ali at the Jagonari Centre 30 September 2011 Fieldgate Bikes

What the participants said

►   ArtSpokes 10 Tips on How to Set up a Successful Community Cycle Training Project for Women 10 Tips March 2012

►   Where the project is now

Cycling Fun Day at Fieldgate Mansions 2012 and 2013

The Fieldgate Bike Project continues.  We have an anual Bike Event and Fun Day supported by Tower Hamlets Sustainable Transport where everyone can get their bike fixed and with fun activities and competitions.  This year we had a drop-in 'try a bike' for women in the neighbouring school playground.  Local young people help the mechanics and run the competitions.  Each year more people get involved and support the project and it is becoming an established community event which people look forward to.  

Residents at Fieldgate Mansions, Whitchapel, took part in a Cycling Fund Day as part of National Bike Week 2012.  The event was organized by Tower Hamlets Council and ArtSpokes and featured a life-sized cycle sculpture and children's artwork competition alongside a cycle repair service and bike maintenance workshop.  It was encouraging to see so many local children taking an interest in cycling, particularly in learning to repair a bike.  There are definitely some budding cycle mechanics and talented artists amongst the youngsters at Fieldgate.  Robert Morton, Sustainable Transport Officer, Tower Hamlets Council.

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