Bikeworks

Cycling For Health

The Bikeworks Cycling for Health Program uses cycling to increase activity levels in 'hard to reach' or 'at risk groups', these include people with heart conditions, health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle, people with mental health problems, and people who traditionally find it hard to access exercise in their daily lives. We also include people with physical and learning disabilities as research shows individuals with learning disabilities have a higher proportion of physical ill health, obesity and have a poorer understanding of their individual health needs.

Through the Cycling for Health programme we aim to show participants that cycling is easy to integrate into their lives, either as a leisure activity or as a means of transport.

We use various types of cycles including traditional cycles, tricycles, tandems and if necessary specialist disability bicycles. Our location in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets offers participants the opportunity to explore the water ways, cycle networks and large open spaces, including Mile End Park , Victoria Park and the Regents Canal that stretches from Limehouse Basin to Islington. For the more adventurous rider we also offer the setting of Epping Forest for our off-road health program. This is not as extreme as it may sound, cycle paths are in place throughout the woods offering a fantastic environment to get fit and leave the city behind.

Cycle rides and health activities are organised and risk assessed according to the needs of the individual and the group, once a programme has been designed and ridden a number of times it is expected that participants will carry out their own individually created training schedule.

Confidence is the main reason for someone not to cycle and Bikeworks offers cycle training courses that are ideal for non-riders, novice cyclists and people who have not ridden for many years. It is proven if you combine the cycle training course with a supported health program you are far more likely to continue to cycle after its completion. It is our aim to promote the use of cycling for long term fitness and not just for the duration of the programme.

BREAKDOWN OF CYCLING FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES:

Social Benefits

• Encourages cycling as a means of promoting good health
• Boost to confidence with achievable goals that can be sustained
• Regular physical activity reduces the risk of depression and has positive benefits for mental health including reduced anxiety, and enhanced mood and self-esteem

Environmental Benefits

• Encourages cycling as a means of sustainable, environmentally friendly transport and reduces reliance on the car
• Promotes use of the existing and newly developed network of greenway spaces and parks after delivery

Benefits

• Free transport
• Supports government targets to reduce obesity and increase fitness, saving money for health services and G.P
• Less time spent off work due to increased levels of fitness and health