Thanks to Daniel for sharing this latest news from the Isle of Wight Bike Club. Ed
In 2010, the Isle of Wight Council and Isle of Wight NHS jointly funded a youth-led project designed to tackle childhood obesity and improve child health through physical exercise.
The UP2U project held a competition at the West Wight Sports Centre in which young people from the Freshwater area presented project proposals, with the most popular projects sharing £20,000 of funding.
Vision for project
The Bike Club project proposed by William James, aged 9, envisaged weekly lessons from a professional BMX rider who would teach children how to perform stunts safely.
It was intended that the Bike Club would reach young people who were not taking part in traditional cycling proficiency lessons or youth centre activities.
Skills taught included safe riding on the road and off-road, bike maintenance, and knowing the rider’s own limits before attempting potentially dangerous stunts.
William’s father Daniel James said,
“We knew that the Bike Club would have to be exciting if it was going to impress young people. We also realised that without a club like this, some would be trying stunts for themselves without any adult supervision. Having a pro rider that the kids could look up to was a vital part of drawing the kids away from their computers and consoles on a Saturday afternoon.”
Captured on film
Wight Trash Films was commissioned to make a video of the Bike Club, which is now available to schools and youth organisations on YouTube.
