During my role as Head of Sport and Leisure with Preston City Council I had the pleasure of working with Go Velo over the last 10 years on a number of projects which included Bikeability for children and adults, organising cycling events and generally promoting cycling across the city. I have found them to be a highly professional organisation which was admirable run by KirstI Grayson who always made time to ensure everything was as it should be.
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
Loved by all, initially effort needed to convince apathetic teenagers who thought it wasn't cool and they'd done it all at primary school. Has turned into 'when's it our turn'. The eldest are in year 11 now, so effectively all will be trained in May from year 8-11.
School is on a hill and well served by buses. Winter only a handful of cyclists, many, many more in summer. First time we have children on electric bikes (as cheap as two years bus pass). They cycle whatever the weather.
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.
Route planning is the 'boring' part as they just want to get out... another way is to 'pass' this beforehand. May make them concentrate rather than spend all the time thinking if they look cool in cycle gear or when they get to go out. Just the run of emotion and excitement. This will be heightened as effectively bikability was the only school trip/ event they've taken part in, in 2 years.
Wendy Litherland, St Christopher’s School, Accrington
Just wanted to drop a quick email to say a huge thank you to the team at Go Velo - I attended the first session yesterday with my 6 year old granddaughter who couldn’t ride her bike without stabilisers and was very nervous of her bike - we got teamed with Maria who instantly made a positive impact on Olivia and by the end of the session Olivia was almost able to set off on her own - we had another session booked for today and Maria immediately came over to say hello and took Olivia straight away and within 10 minutes Olivia was able to set off and ride a short distance.
We then transferred over to James’s group who was supported by Scott and wow - Olivia just excelled and rode right around the small circuit all on her own.
James & Scott where amazing at offering tips, advice & encouragement and Olivia just flourished - Maria was able to pop over towards the end of the session and she was thrilled with Olivia - we cannot thank the team at Go Velo enough - you are all amazing and we are still sat here all smiling from ear to ear at Olivia’s achievement and Olivia is equally proud of herself- we are lucky enough to be returning on Thursday for Olivia to learn some more bike handling skills - I cannot get over that this has all been free, delivered with such professionalism and care and made to be fun - all the stress was removed from the situation and voila the result was amazing.
Thank you so so much for giving our granddaughter a precious life skill.
Kindest regards
Maria Bland – Nanna
I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff especially Elly at the Barrowford site for a really professional service and a great setup. I would highly recommend this to anyone has to be the best experience I have had to date from start to finish. Everyone was polite and happy but Elly was awesome and really took time out to give my daughter the confidence she needed. It was great to see people actually enjoying what they did. My daughter Mya aged 5 could not balance properly at the start of the session let alone ride a bike and I could not believe an hour later she was whizzing around on her own. Simply outstanding guys well done to you all
I just wanted to let you know how successful the sessions have been, with several children now able to ride/ peddle bikes! It really has been a privilege to witness such a special milestone for our children. We aim to keep the momentum going with the balance bikes (and helmets) you purchased for us, thank you.
To enable those children who have moved on we would like to be able to purchase peddle bikes if that is at all possible, using the same budget/funding?
In addition, is it possible to book a return visit from the fantastic bikability during Summer 1 to give those children who were not ready to move on a further oppor-tunity to do so?
We really have begun to ensure our unique reception provision is becoming a re-ality.
Thank you once again, Jackie x
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
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
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.
The instructors who have consistently worked with us have proved themselves to be committed, highly professional and passionate about the work they do. Their work and consistent positive attitude, has enabled individuals who are socially isolated/mentally unwell/vulnerable/ unemployed or struggling financially to have access to sustainable transport, improve maintenance skills and regain confidence to become cyclists. Some have found work and many have improved access to many places and social groups they would otherwise not experienced.
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
