The administration was also faultless and placed little extra work on already busy school staff- much appreciated. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable, worthwhile and lifelong learning experience.

I have been teaching for over 30 years and have been involved in many initiatives involving outside agencies- I strongly believe that bike training that properly prepares children to ride safely on the road is one of the most worthwhile. These young people WILL ride their bikes on roads for which they deserve proper training. it would be negligent of us not to be preparing them properly; a truly important life skill. The roads around our school do not present the easiest and most accessible training environment- your instructors had clearly evaluated the situation very thoroughly and maximised the opportunities. They even ordered good weather!

It was certainly a most positive experience which the children loved and learnt a huge amount from. The instructors were brilliant, obviously well trained and prepared and struck a perfect balance of firmness and fun. I was particularly impressed by the level of inclusion- our children had a wide range of skills (including one who could not ride a bike) yet everyone was made to feel valued and special. each child felt they had improved.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to your team for the training my son has been given at school for riding his bike on the road. He’s a year 5 pupil and is now so confident at riding on the road, he goes to school every day on his bike. Thank you again!

Adele Waddington

My son is in year 11 and did the course. Over lockdown him and his friends cycled miles all over the countryside and still do. They had the extra confidence to explore and plan ahead. Their maps are generally online, but all went on to do Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. This is not isolated. Many parents said this is wellbeing at its best. No phones, fresh air and enjoying the countryside through exercise.

St Christopher’s School, Accrington

The best compliment I can give to Go Velo is that the standard of service and attention to detail is second to none and most importantly the attention that is given to health and safety/risk assessment is to be commended. I am currently driving sport and community engagement across the University of Central Lancashire, Go Velo have been my first port of call for assistance with the development of a cycle hub and to teach students how to ride a bike. I would have no hesitation in recommending Go Velo.

Jimmy Khan - UcLan

The Go Velo team are consummate professionals. If they say they can do something, consider it done! Go Velo has supported Love to Ride Lancashire in numerous ways. They’ve enabled us to hold cycling events, and they’ve led ride and bike maintenance courses for businesses and organisations across Lancashire. Go Velo helps build confidence and empowers people to have a go. Keep up the excellent work!

Love to Ride Lancashire

The whole Go Velo team was amazing. They built relationships with our children and staff very quickly. The high trainer to child ratio made progress and personalised training easier. The Go Velo team’s sheer motivation enthused these children. We’ve never seen Bikeability delivered so well, and with as much dedication. A HUGE thank you to all the team, and can we have you back next year?

Lynne Slater - Headteacher - Lea Community Primary School

By undertaking the Bikeability Level 3 training course, kindly and expertly delivered by Go-Velo, our PCSO's have developed a sense of confidence and an increase in their skills and ability whilst using their bikes. This enables them to cover greater distances than on foot patrol, keeping the people of Lancashire safe and feeling safe

Joey Spears Smith - Lancashire Police

"Just had a free bike service through Go Velo and Connecting East Lancashire at Accrington Stanley Football Club. Now I was sceptical at first as to the quality of a ‘free’ service but I was totally wrong in my assumptions. From the moment I got there I was looked after professionally and the service was second to none, yes there was extras to pay for (these were optional and I did not have to have them done) these were pointed out to me and everything explained in layman’s English so even I could understand. Bottom line is I have come away with a bike I feel safe and secure using and team this with the advice and guidance I was given and I am now a more confident and safer rider on and off the roads. Well done Go Velo, Connecting East and James (Freewheel Technician) on this initiative you should be proud of the service you are providing.

Peter

“Go Velo provide wonderful fun and interactive learn to ride sessions which enable the children to develop their balancing and coordination skills. Their wonderful instructors provide the perfect environment for Foundation or KS1 children to learn to ride a bike.”

Josh Dixon, Bolton Le Sands, Lancaster - Early Years (KS1)

Elizabeth and Nigel’s daughter contacted Go Velo after hearing about the courses via British Cycling where she worked.A course was arranged quickly with Pip Riley. “Pip, the instructor was very patient with us” Elizabeth explained. “Both my husband and I bought bikes in a moment of madness and wanted to make use of them. Both of us had not ridden a bike since we were children, over 40 years ago and we need a confidence boost. Pip gave us that confidence with his patience and encouraging personality.” The course was held at a location close to their home and Mr and Mrs Brookes took part in the session together using their own bikes and helmets. “We both learnt a lot and feel very confident taking the bikes out to ride around for the day, sightseeing. We originally wanted to learn to ride out bikes again to take part in the Sky Rides happening around our local area. Since completing the training, we have taken part in 3 Sky Rides and look forward to many more.”

Elizabeth and Nigel - Adult Cycle Training – the Brookes

Many thanks to the Go Velo team for giving our Reception children the confidence to ride bikes. From the start of the week they looked after our children particularly as it was a very cold week. They immediately decided that the children would maybe be too cold if they were outside too long so they kindly gave us shorter sessions, but more sessions which worked really well. The children were very excited in the morning before Sam arrived. He was brilliant with the children some of which are still very young. On the days when it was too cold to be outside they were very flexible and were able to carry out the sessions inside. Sam had an excellent rapport with the children. He was very patient with them and gave extra time to those who needed it. Well worth braving the cold the children have developed a priceless skill.

Gaynor Canty, Reception Teacher - Laneshawbridge – Learn To Ride

I would just like to say that I love my new Claud Butler Urban Hybrid bicycle. I haven’t rode a bike for a while but I soon felt confident and able to handle the cycle well. James is an excellent instructor with years of experience I have learnt quite a lot from him today and it’s been an enjoyable day. I have probably been riding my own bikes set up wrong for my height and leg length for years .I feel a lot more confident now when venturing out on my bike patrols. James also catered for the type of cycling I would be doing in relation to my job. He split the day up we did a couple of hours road work and some bicycle maintenance. Then we went cycling along the canal toe paths I found this quite challenging at first until I got used to the different surfaces. James made me aware of some hazards that I wouldn’t have normally picked up on. We also did some cycling around some public parks were there are quite a few different hazards like loose dogs and children playing.I would recommend your company to friends and family excellent service and friendly instructor.

Adult Cycle Training – Jane Grady

I would just like to say a massive thank you. My daughter was very nervous before starting the two day course. We had tried to build her confidence before by taking her on the park but she was struggling to get up hills and was terrified of going down even a small hill. She went to school on Monday feeling very nervous and I was quite worried how she would cope too. I shouldn’t have worried, by the time I saw her she was so happy with herself. After the second day she was completely buzzing with confidence and even rode her bike from our house to Brownies’s at foulridge. She still has a lot to learn but she now wants to go out on her bike and I can see her confidence shine. Thank you so much.

St Michael’s And All Angels, Foulridge

“Go Velo is an exemplary organisation who have worked in partnership with Stubbylee Community Greenhouses to deliver a project funded by the East Lancs Clinical Commissioning Groups: Social Prescribing Fund. This funding has enabled our organisation to develop a highly successful bicycle upcycle project which has up skilled participants of the local community who face barriers to employment and well being due to their health, financial or familial circumstances. Go Velo as an organisation have delivered sessions and organised programs to fit with our needs as an organisation and have certainly met the needs of the community we deliver our projects to.”

Souta Van Wick - Operations Manager - Bacup Consortium Trust