BETTER BIKE SOCIAL

“To thine own self be true.” Hamlet, Act I, Scene III In early 2024, I created a pop-up mini festival of the bike under the banner #thebetterbikesocial in Hackney. The festival promoted the inclusive spirit of the cycling community, with a range of rides, classic films, speaker corners, workshops, show-and-tell, ‘swap-shop’, trade counter, ‘how-to’ build and maintain expert classes, seminars on urban transport systems, the 15 min city, and so much more over the programme, replete with a supporting menu of plant based grab-and-go’s alongside banqueting experiences. It was epic, and Kelly Dibbert took the programme and created the Brighton Charter which ran in July. Here in Velocity Magazine issue 11 Summer 2024, David Taylor prints a short reflection on the first event I scribed earlier this year…thinking about the next event… #BIKESMAKELIFEBETTER BETTER BIKE SOCIAL

The last Government introduced multi-year funding for cycling during the pandemic only to cut the investment by more than half, which could result in £2bn in long term costs through their impact on the National Health Service and the wider economy… It seems to be intuitive; invest in a national network of safe cycle routes, helping people incorporate physical activity in their lives, not as an extra, but as a core to everyday normal life and cut GP appointments “by hundreds of thousands, if not millions a year.” Transport is the largest single contributor to the UK’s carbon emissions, and focussing on active travel is also a sure fire way of reducing the harmful impact of society on the environment, and (with the right strategic planning and investment) can help address the alarming number of road based accidents and deaths (close to 30,000 in 2023). I also love the notion that transport is “a liberator” – one that helps other government departments achieve their aims, including education and health. So, if cycling and walking networks are prioritised “It has knock-on effects everywhere else: it gets people healthier, it reduces the burden on the NHS because people are living healthier lives for longer.” #BIKESMAKELIFEBETTER #BetterBikeSocial BETTER BIKE SOCIAL

The last Government introduced multi-year funding for cycling during the pandemic only to cut the investment by more than half, which could result in £2bn in long term costs through their impact on the National Health Service and the wider economy… It seems to be intuitive; invest in a national network of safe cycle routes, helping people incorporate physical activity in their lives, not as an extra, but as a core to everyday normal life and cut GP appointments “by hundreds of thousands, if not millions a year.” Transport is the largest single contributor to the UK’s carbon emissions, and focussing on active travel is also a sure fire way of reducing the harmful impact of society on the environment, and (with the right strategic planning and investment) can help address the alarming number of road based accidents and deaths (close to 30,000 in 2023). I also love the notion that transport is “a liberator” – one that helps other government departments achieve their aims, including education and health. So, if cycling and walking networks are prioritised “It has knock-on effects everywhere else: it gets people healthier, it reduces the burden on the NHS because people are living healthier lives for longer.” #BIKESMAKELIFEBETTER #BetterBikeSocial BETTER BIKE SOCIAL

🚨 We're proud to bits to announce that our new, super-duper, redesigned, Velocity Magazine is now out! Huzzah! 🚨 🚲 🥂 Issue number 11 has been painstakingly refreshed with a new-look cover, fonts, and layouts throughout. And we love it. 🚵♀️ 🏉 The latest issue gets on the Olympic bandwagon with a profile of superstar cyclist Dame Laura Kenny following her presenting stints on the BBC, and we continue the sporting legends theme with an interview with rugby star turned bike fan Rory Underwood MBE DL by Tim J W Downing. ⚡ 🚲 We check out the work of VOLT Bikes with a full feature on their e-offerings, and James Thompson brings us up to speed with his latest deliveries at his Spokes of Bagshot bike shop... 👨🎨 There's a look at the stimulating artworks from Elicia McKenzie, and at Coffey Architects' bike facilities at 10 Exchange Square in London's Broadgate. 🚵♂️ Pat Hayes continues his fascinating look at life on the road supporting his Doltcini O'Shea UCI Continental Cycling Team, Gordon Miller continues his drive to end modern slavery, and Joe Morris reflects on the BETTER BIKE SOCIAL he ran to spread the word of all things two wheels. 📽 One of the features at that event was a screening of the new film 'Chase the Sun', and co-director Phil Webb gives us the inside line on the whole operation, and the famous rides. ✍ There's plenty more besides - an in-depth look at bike fits, courtesy of Will Pearson and friends at the store, John Nordon on his crusade to create a fleet of pimped-up Raleigh Twenty shopper bikes, as well as columns from Lucie Murray, Club Peloton, Richard Aylwin, Liane Hartley FRSA and a 'Five minutes with' interview with Caroline Harper Thanks as ever to our brilliant sponsors: DAS - HUTCHINSON - BROTHER UK, SLR Consulting, Pygott and Crone Estate Agents, Colebrook Bosson Saunders, Club Peloton, Stantec, and Conisbee - we couldn't do the magazine without you. Lastly, thanks to designer Stefano Meroni, and to Ivo Alvarez for getting us where we are today. Be seeing you! David Taylor and Toby Fox PS here's a vid of it coming off the presses! 🖨

Jon Frost was one of 5 ride leaders in the first Better Bike Social in Brighton. Thanks Jon for taking people out for a social ride 🚴🏼♀️ #betterbikesocial #bikesmakelifebetter

What happens when you get: over 100 people at 3 evenings of bike talks with 12 brilliant speakers 4 bike rides with 35 riders 3 local sustainable vegan food businesses 2 city Councillors 1 cargo bike delivery company, a fabulous host and a local brewery! Bike Magic is what happens! The Better Bike Social Brighton was a blast! Watch this space for the next one. Thanks To Sam Zindel and Susannah Finch for being amazing hosts at Propellernet - B Corp and for Andy Keetch for the laughs. To Purezza HAPPY MAKI SMORL'S LIMITED Beryl and Brighton Bier #brighton #bikesmakelifebetter #betterbikesocial #cyclinginfrastructure

Last but not least. Our Friday talks.... Good news cicely lloyd is feeling better and will be speaking with the rest of this epic line up about the Brighton Multicultural Women's (the better BMWs) cycle club tonight 🚴🏼♀️ With Katy Rodda Duncan Blinkhorn and Ade Eribake It's truly wonderful to be in a room full of bike folks talking about fun, freedom and clean air 🎊🚲🫁 #betterbikesocial #brighton

TONIGHT! We've had a slight change in the line up. The amazing Kelly Smith has stepped up to talk about her epic Tribe The Black Tri Tribe. So that's 4 awesome bike folks sharing their tales of bike inspiration to 40 friends, who'll be eating Purezza pizza, drinking Brighton Bier (soft drinks also provided) and networking for a brighter bike future in Brighton. #bikesmakelifebetter #brighton #betterbikesocial

TOMORROW Words - many bike legends Food - Purezza Drinks - Brighton Bier Community - you! If you haven't booked yet, there's one seat left for Weds.....a few on Thursday and Friday....https://lnkd.in/eUySVwEH #bikesmakelifebetter #betterbikesocial