Chris Boardman comes to BikeRight!

It was a big day for us yesterday, as cycling legend Chris Boardman paid a visit to BikeRight! in Liverpool.

He met trainees on our City and Guilds course who are training to become cycle mechanics delivered by our mechanic, Paul, who has been likened to cycling's version of Professor Brian Cox.  Simon from Rotunda College was nominated to maintain their recently-acquired pool bikes; ditto for George from the YMCA. Both organisations are giving these volunteers the opportunity to practice the skills they are learning, providing valuable work experience.  

 

Then he had a chat with some supported housing residents from Riverside Housing who were on their way back from a bike ride.  Chris confessed his ignorance about the canal route they'd taken, so there was a chance to give the top guy some advice about where to get on and off the towpath.

After that, it was off to a windy afternoon in the streets around Rice Lane Junior School, seeing how Bikeability works in practice.  All 20 children wanted autographs on their bikes, helmets, pieces of paper, and one child produced a Chris Boardman certificate she'd drawn earlier complete with a 'sign here' box.


An interview with Radio Merseyside rounded off the afternoon, as Chris gave a logical argument for including Bikeability on the national curriculum for primary schools so that all children have the opportunity to access this lifetime skill. "We could fill this course several times over," said the Rice Lane head.  Any more proof needed?