Community Cycling scheme

Duffield Summer 2008

Choose Cycling for your health

Over the Summer of 2008, we are working in partnership with the Appletree Medical Practice in Duffield on a community cycling scheme to promote cycling and all its amazing health benefits.  The scheme is open to all patients of the practice in and around Duffield, including Little Eaton, Holbrook, Milford, Makeney, Belper, Turnditch, Hazelwood and north Derby.

Did you know that regular cycling...

• gives you a fitness level equivalent to being 10 years younger
• burns 8 calories a minute or 11kg of fat a year
• can help prevent over 20 chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes and cancer (Department of Health 2004)

There are more details about the health benefits of cycling in the recent report by Cycling England at the bottom of the page and on our Blog, just click here.

What is happening in Duffield over Summer 2008?

Between 14th July and the end of September 2008, we will be staging regular cycling stalls and cycling tryouts, and offering free bike hire, cycle training and guided local bike rides to the local community. 

Cycling Stalls and tryouts 

We are holding regular stalls and cycling tryouts outside the Appletree Medical Practice in Duffield every Monday from 10 - 1, starting on  14th July 2008.

You can try out one of our "easy-rider" bikes and, if you like one, hire it for free for the week. (You can read more about our fleet of bikes in the Blog entry "Buying an everyday bike"). We may be able to get a folding or electric bike down there for you to try out too! You can pick up some useful information about local cycling routes and a free map. You can talk to one of our cycle trainers about any aspect of cycling you like - how to carry loads on your bike, good practice in cycling with children, what cycling equipment and clothing are best and, of course, what is the right type of bike for you. And why not sign up for one of our free cycling training sessions or community bike rides?

Borrow-a-community-bike scheme

We are offering our bikes to the local community to borrow for a week (proof of ID and damage deposit required), compete with helmet, lock, high-vis vest, lights and pannier to carry your things in. We feel there is no better way of knowing whether you like a particular bike or getting back into cycling again than trying a bike out for a while. We guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. All our bikes are incredibly comfortable, easy-to-use, suitable for most journeys, and, basically, a delight to cycle!

Free Cycle Training

We are also offering free cycle training to patients of Appletree. These sessions are led by our friendly, experienced cycle trainers who all hold a national qualification in cycle training and a first aid qualification, so you are in safe hands. These sessions can take place 1:1 or in groups. The group sessions will give you an opportunity to meet others like you who would like to cycle more often, so perhaps you will meet a cycle buddy. The sessions will all start off-road in the mainly traffic-free area behind the Practice in Duffield, and will be tailored to your pace and individual needs.

Our cycle training is guaranteed to give you more confidence and help you be safer on a bike. It will make the difference between cycling and enjoying cycling.

Community Bike Rides

We are planning 3 rides around Duffield between now and the end of September - to the new Croots Farm Shop, to Coxbench and into Derby on In Town, Without My Car! Day 2008.

Sunday 10th August - an easy ride to the new Croots Farm Shop and cafe.

Sunday 24th August - a medium ride to the Fox and Hounds Pub in Coxbench.

Saturday 20th September - a longer ride to Derby via Little Eaton to celebrate In Town, Without My Car! Day

All rides start outside Appletree Medical Practice at 10.30 am. Everyone is welcome. We can arrange bike hire for you. The routes of the rides will follow cycle paths and quiet lanes wherever possible. We do ask that children under 16 are accompanied by an adult.

This project has been made possible thanks to the funding of The Un Ltd Millennium Awards Scheme, the support of the Appletree Medical Practice in Duffield and our Choose Cycling Staff Team who are giving their time and skills for free.