For many young people, disengagement from formal education is not about ability.
It is about confidence, trust, and access to learning that feels practical and achievable.

Across London, schools, alternative provision settings, and youth services are working with young people who have had disrupted education, are neurodivergent, are managing anxiety or behavioural challenges, or have simply found that traditional classroom learning does not work for them. What is often missing is a practical route back into learning that feels purposeful and achievable.

At Bikeworks, our work with young people is grounded in a simple belief. No child should be left behind when it comes to accessing the benefits of cycling, including its role as a tool for engagement, skills development, and education, particularly where traditional pathways have not worked.

At Bikeworks, we work with education and youth partners to co-design cycling pathways that do exactly that.

Starting with engagement, not accreditation

As a City & Guilds delivery centre, Bikeworks delivers accredited qualifications. But accreditation is rarely where we start.

Our programmes are deliberately designed to begin with non-accredited activity. This creates space for young people to engage without pressure, rebuild confidence, and experience success early on. Sessions are practical, hands-on, and structured around real skills rather than abstract outcomes.

For some young people, that first step might be learning basic bike maintenance. For others, it might be riding skills, teamwork, or simply turning up consistently to something that feels different from school.

Only once that foundation is in place do we introduce progression routes.

From hands-on activity to recognised qualifications

Progression is built into every programme we design. Young people can move from informal sessions into structured pathways that include:

• Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications 
• Build a Bike programmes combining maintenance and cycle skills 
• Blended delivery that supports different learning styles 
• Clear progression milestones that young people can see and work towards 

This approach allows learning to feel earned rather than imposed. It also gives education and youth partners a flexible framework that can be adapted around attendance patterns, behavioural needs, and pastoral support.

A case study from alternative education

One recent programme was delivered in partnership with an alternative education provider supporting young people who had been excluded or were at risk of exclusion from mainstream schooling.

The setting needed an approach that could re-engage learners who were struggling with focus, confidence, and trust in formal education environments. Together, we co-designed a programme that began with practical bike maintenance and riding sessions, delivered in small groups and paced to the needs of the cohort.

Early sessions focused on routine, responsibility, and tangible achievement. Young people learned how bikes work, how to fix them, and how to ride with purpose. As confidence grew, so did engagement. Attendance stabilised. Behaviour improved. Several learners progressed into accredited learning, with some completing formal qualifications for the first time in years.

For staff, cycling became a shared language. For young people, it became proof that learning could feel different.

Why this approach works

Cycling offers something that many traditional interventions do not.

It is physical, practical, and real.
It rewards patience and problem-solving.
It builds independence and self-belief.

When delivered well, it also creates pathways. Not just into qualifications, but into further learning, employment, volunteering, and positive routines.

Our role is to design those pathways carefully, alongside the people who know the young people best.

Working with schools and youth services

Bikeworks works with schools, colleges, alternative provision, and youth service providers across London to design cycling programmes that support engagement, progression, and long-term outcomes.

Each programme is co-designed. Each pathway is shaped around the setting and the young people involved. And each one treats cycling not as an add-on, but as a serious tool for learning and development.

If you are exploring new ways to engage young people who are struggling with formal education, we would welcome a conversation.

Using cycles as a tool for good.

By Jamie Lawson, Inclusive Cycling Advisor at Bikeworks

When people think about cycling, they often picture two wheels, balance, and speed. But cycling can take many different forms, and with the right equipment, it becomes an activity that everyone can enjoy. That’s why having a fleet inclusive of cycles is essential, not only for All Ability Clubs, but also for schools, local authorities, care homes, and community groups that want to make cycling accessible to everyone.

As someone who both advises on inclusion and rides at Bikeworks’ All Ability Clubs, I see every week how the right cycle can remove any unnecessary barriers. A cycle that feels safe and comfortable not only makes participation possible, but also enables riders to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.

 

With the right cycles, no one is left out.

Recently, one of our clubs added two new cycles to the fleet: the Fun2Go and the EasyRider. These bikes have already transformed the way people ride together. The Fun2Go is a side-by-side tandem, so two riders can pedal and chat at the same time — perfect for friends, carers, or anyone who feels more confident with riding with company. The EasyRider, with its low step-through frame and supportive seat, makes cycling accessible for people who may struggle with balance or joint pain.

“Investing in the Fun2Go and EasyRider cycles from Bikeworks has been one of the best decisions for our community. As specialists in inclusive cycling, Bikeworks helped us choose the right bikes to meet local needs. These cycles have opened up riding to people of all ages and abilities, and we’re already seeing the benefits — more people taking part, more confidence, and more families enjoying cycling together.”

 

I’ve seen first-hand the joy these cycles bring.

Riders who hadn’t been on a bike in years are rediscovering the freedom of movement. Families are cycling together in ways they never thought possible. One person told me that the Fun2Go made them feel like they were “part of the action again,” after years of watching from the sidelines.

For me personally, my favourite cycle is the Fun2Go. There’s something special about being able to share the ride side by side. It turns cycling into a social activity — laughter, conversation, and exercise all rolled into one.

Getting the fleet right isn’t just about variety. It’s about equity.

It ensures that no matter your age, ability, or confidence level, there’s a cycle that can work for you. That’s what makes inclusive cycling so powerful. It’s not just about bikes — it’s about freedom, wellbeing, and connection.

If you’re curious, visit us at our Inclusive Cycle Sales Showroom opposite the Velo in the Olympic Park, or come along to one of our All Ability Clubs. We can help you find the right fleet for your school, local authority, care home, or community group.