The Bike Shed

About 

The Bike Shed, our active travel hub, opened in October 2024 in partnership with the local council to support staff and learners to engage with cycling. Developed in response to our carbon footprint work, it began with small-scale engagement and has grown into an inclusive programme delivering weekly guided rides, tailored support and training, and facilitated local journeys for students, staff and the wider community. Over two years, the project expanded to include cycle mechanics training for engineering and automotive learners, alongside ESOL group rides and wellbeing referrals, widening participation and building social connection and resilience. Donated bikes are repaired by learners and redistributed to students, schools and community groups, removing financial barriers and strengthening local partnerships. In June 2026, the project reached a new milestone through an international exchange to Utrecht, enabling learners to experience world-leading active travel systems and return as ambassadors, inspiring behaviour change throughout the college.

Top 3 learnings 

1. Cycling became more than transport to us – it’s freedom, better health, affordability, confidence and accessibility.
2. Our success is because of community partnerships - creating and sustaining impact beyond the college.
3. We recognise infrastructure and culture remain biggest barriers to everyday active travel in the UK.

What it would mean to win

Winning this award would be a meaningful recognition of our commitment to holistic, inclusive sustainability, placing our learners, community and their wellbeing at the heart of our work. The Bike Shed is not a large or fully established project; it is just two years in and still growing. However, it has been intentionally shaped around the needs of our learners, staff and community, and that is where its real value lies. This recognition would affirm that small, locally rooted initiatives can create significant co-benefits and impact when they are built on partnership, inclusion and trust. It would also help raise awareness of the importance of transport and access in shaping people’s life chances, something often overlooked in wider decision making.  At its core, The Bike Shed is about much more than cycling. It is about connection, confidence and opportunity. Being part of its development has been a privilege, and this recognition would help us take it further.

SDG