Bike It in Derby
Nick Ratcliffe - Bike It officer
Contact Nick: Sustrans Bike It officer, SoundBites, 11 Morledge, Derby DE1 2AW
Tel: 01332 242863, mobile: 07825619704 or email nick.ratcliffe@sustrans.org.uk
Nick joined Sustrans in November 2009
"For much of my life, bikes have been my principal mode of transport. The freedom they afford and the way they let you fit exercise effortlessly into daily life is fantastic. I have fond childhood memories of cycle touring around the West Country with mates, seeing places that I just wouldn't have otherwise seen. I want to pass on my passion for cycling on to the pupils I'll be working with, to help make some of the cyclists of tomorrow. Joining Bike It has been a dream opportunity and I'm thrilled to be the latest Derby officer. I can't wait to get into my schools and get the pupils fired up about cycling."
Before joining Sustrans, Nick coordinated a cycle delivery scheme for people with mobility difficulties. He worked as a Bikeability cycle trainer and also with Choose Cycling, a social enterprise that promotes sustainable travel in Derbyshire.
Nick's school for 2009/10:
- Ash Croft Primary
- Brackensdale Juniors
- Brookfield Primary
- Da Vinci Community College
- Lawn Primary
- Mickleover Primary
- Noel-Baker Community School and Language College
- Oakwood Juniors
- Silverhill Primary
- St James' Church of England (VA) Juniors
- Village Primary
What's Nick up to?
Nick's Bike It school pupils in Derby logged an impressive 7,023 journeys to school. That's a lot of cars left on the driveway. Spring term was very busy, with Dr Bike sessions (in the snow), and cycle skills being taught to school champions with Cycle Derby. Nick's keen Bike It Crews are springing up like mushrooms, too. Nick has a mass school ride to Elvaston Castle on June 20 to mark the birthdays of Sustrans' National Cycle Network and the local country park, as well as Bike It breakfasts using the council's new cycle-powered smoothie maker.
Nick is currently looking for six new schools to become Bike It schools. If you're interested, please email him.