Richmond Cycle Ambassador Scheme

OldSkoolKona

I just saw the following which may be of interest to any of you who live in the London Borough of Richmond, whether you're an experienced commuter or a beginner who'd like some support.

I'm sure we'll all pick over the concept and whether it will work or not (yes, you are a cynical lot! ) but I think its good to see a council doing something innovative and proactive to increase cycling, rather than just painting green strips of paint on the road. How successful it is remains to be seen of course.

I've signed up as an 'ambassador' and I have a 'buddy' in mind, will let you know how I get on. I reckon its worth having a go, at the very least you can buy some inner tubes with the money :-)

Live in the Richmond upon Thames borough? Interested in getting £25 worth of cycle vouchers? Then read on..

As part of the Smarter Travel Richmondprogramme, the Cycle Ambassador Scheme has been launched to provide the tools and support for existing cyclists to encourage someone they know who would take up cycling or cycle more with a bit of gentle persuasion and support.

Buddying is one of the most effective ways to encourage people to cycle and in particular to help them do so in a safe manner. Sharing your knowledge and experience can make a real difference.

The scheme has incentives (e.g. £25 voucher for use in local bike shops) for both the ambassador and their buddy. Your buddy can be a family member, neighbour or friend. They don''t have to be completely new to cycling, it could be someone who with a little more encouragement would feel more confident about cycling. You don''t even have to have a buddy in mind, the scheme will provide one for you.

The scheme is linked into Richmond Council's Cycle Training provision and the Richmond Cycling Campaign monthlyleisure rides program.

Sign up for the scheme, and find more about Smarter Travel Richmond at these links, including how to win £100 worth of cycling vouchers:

http://www.smartertravelrichmond.org/Cy ... -Scheme-(1).aspx
<note - you'll have to copy the url out, it won't work as a clicky>

http://www.smartertravelrichmond.org/Home.aspx

il_principe

£25? Have they seen Richmond's bike shops?

:shock:

rolf_f

Il Principe wrote:

£25? Have they seen Richmond's bike shops?

:shock:

Don't be ungrateful. I'm always losing valve caps!

OldSkoolKona

Rolf F wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

£25? Have they seen Richmond's bike shops?

:shock:

Don't be ungrateful. I'm always losing valve caps!

and not any old valve caps, we've got standards in Richmond. My £25 will be going straight on my Ti valve cap (singular)

roger_merriman

Il Principe wrote:

£25? Have they seen Richmond's bike shops?

:shock:

heh luckly it's the Borough so would include my local and others north of the river where £25 would get one a set of tires or what not.

Joftek

I see there's a prize draw and maintenance workshop associated with this as well now.

http://richmondcc.blogspot.com/2009/08/cycle-ambassador-scheme.html

OldSkoolKona

Welcome Packs
Ok, me (as the ambassador) and my buddy have got our starter packs through for the Cycle Ambassador Scheme. Have to say I'm very impressed. If anything, I think they could do with marketing what you get a bit better. Note you don't have to live in the Borough to apply, but it is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in there.

Is the scheme perfect, probably not, but I personally believe that its a more effective way to get people to cycle compared to expensive and ineffectual cycle lanes (as an aside, I see there is money being spent on reducing mobile phone use while driving, no mention of enforcement ) .

Plus, as has been debated before, the best way to improve safety for us all on the roads, of all levels, is to increase the number of cycling. Would be good to see other councils adopt it.

Buddy
- Free 6 months membership of London Cycling Campaign (with all the benefits as normal, 10% off at Evans and the usual local bike shops, 3rd party insurance etc etc)
- 10% vouchers for local bike shops in Richmond Borough (Moore's, Prologue, Sigma)
- £15 voucher to use against Richmond Cycle Training(which includes the advanced one to one level 3)
- Info pack

Ambassador
- £25 voucher for local cycle shops
- Free back up front and rear lights (LEDs)
- Info pack

In addition, as I think was previously mentioned, the following are associated with the scheme:
- Free maintenance workshops(open to anyone)
- Prize draw for those signing up to the scheme (closing date 12th September)
- Prize draw(again, open to anyone, closing date 20th September)