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Bike It in London

London has nine officers. Read their latest news here. For more detail, see the Bike It London Review of 2010. 

owen powellOwen Powell, Bike It officer

Contact Owen: Sustrans Bike It officer, 70 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 020 7017 2358, mobile: 07825 619712 or email: owen.powell@sustrans.org.uk

Owen joined Sustrans in September 2009

"From September 2010 I'm taking on an extra borough, so my original schools are now joined by six more from neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea. I've been cycling around London since 2002 and have seen massive changes and improvements since then. I'm eager to spread the word about how life-enhancing and liberating cycling can be. First and foremost, I believe that cycling is a fun and easy way to get around, and every new cyclist means cleaner air, less congestion, and healthier people."

Before joining Sustrans, Owen worked as a freelance cycling instructor, a comedy director and writer, a transport campaigner and a theatre tour guide. He hopes to bring aspects of all of these jobs to his new role.

Owen's schools in Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea for 2011/12:

What's Owen up to?

Another great term of Bike It in my two boroughs, with some long-awaited sunshine at the end to reward those cyclists who'd pedalled through the winter. Congratulations to all the schools and pupils who took part in the Big Pedal - there were some bike sheds full to the brim, which is a good sign for the summer term. If the idea of a bike race got you excited, then we'll be running the Bike It Tour de France in the last week of June - so look out for that! The London smoothie bike made its debut at several events, so get your recipes prepared for when it arrives at your school.

James Scott - Bike It officer

James ScottContact James: Bike It officer, Sustrans, 70 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 020 7017 2363, or email: james.scott@sustrans.org.uk

James joined Sustrans in September 2008

"I feel really privileged to be part of the Bike It team here in London. Cycling is such an exciting, cheap and accessible way to see the city!  I am the first Primary Care Trust funded Bike It officer in London and can't wait to get my schools energised about cycling and helping them discover that it's a fun and effective way to exercise whilst doing your bit for the planet."

Before joining Sustrans, James worked at the Science Museum on a number of different visitor improvement projects. James' other passion next to cycling is surfing - he has been surfing for around 15 years and is a committee member for the Surfing Museum. James will be working exclusively with the Tower Hamlets Borough and is looking forward to introducing them to Bike It.

James' schools for 2011/12:

What's James doing now?

Now the weather is getting warming and those dark nights are a distant memory Tower Hamlet Bike It schools are starting to increase their cycling numbers. The Big Pedal has played a key role in this boost of cycle journeys. 16 schools within the borough signed up to the event and generated a massive 12,198 journeys to school. The winners were a 3rd year and 2nd year Bike It School, Seven Mills and St Elizabeths came joint first with Bonner primary coming in as runner up. During the Big Pedal, schools were visited by two well known cycling explores, Alistair Humphreys and Tom AKA The Hungry Cyclist. Bow Boys have now completed the GCSE module in Mountain biking with all of the students passing the five-week course. It has proved so popular with the school that they intend to do it again next year.

Felix Hilton - Bike It officer

Felix HiltonContact Felix: Bike It officer, Sustrans, 70 Cowcross St, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 0207 0172365, mobile: 07787 434 282, or email: felix.hilton@sustrans.org.uk

Felix joined Sustrans in March 2009

"I'm very excited to be joining the Bike It team here in London, and relish the opportunity of being able to bring cycling to as many people as possible. I've been riding on the streets of London for 15 years and I've witnessed the huge growth in bicycle use, however I'm still very aware of the need to increase this number further yet. For the past four years I have been working as a cycling instructor in central London, and I've seen first hand the benefits that cycling can have on children and adults as well as the local community. Cycling is my passion, or possibly obsession, and I'm yet to be convinced there can be a negative side to it."

Felix's schools for 2011/12:

What's Felix doing now?

The spring term has been a particularly fruitful one for my schools. The Big Pedal saw an incredible effort from all schools taking part, raising the number of cyclists at each school considerably; big congratulations to all of those who took part. Particular mention needs to go to Glenbrook, who after a difficult few terms had finally seen an incredible increase in the number of regular cyclists. The summer term ahead holds lots of delights for all of the schools who will each be taking part in rides and picnics to celebrate an amazing year of Bike It.

Andy Casson - Bike It officer

Andy Casson

Contact Andy: Bike It officer, Sustrans, 70 Cowcross St, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 020 7017 2360, mobile 07796 870 741, or email: andy.casson@sustrans.org.uk

Andy joined Sustrans in May 2006

"Four years on from kick-starting Bike It in London, I still enjoy being a Bike It officer. The project has grown in popularity and I've worked with many schools and encouraged hundreds of children (and some parent and teachers) to ride to school. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for cycling with my schools and hope it has a positive and lasting effect.

I have ridden bikes for as long as I can remember, learning on an old fixed-wheel kids bike my dad salvaged from the tip. I completed the old ‘ROSPA' cycling proficiency (now Bikeability) at primary school and later remember renovating an old Sun Workshop racing bike to ride in my teens. After leaving university I got into cross-country mountain biking and have ridden fantastic trails in Epping Forest, Wales, the Lake District, and some epic rides in the French and Swiss Alps. In London my preferred bike is my Brompton, called Ruby, whom all my schools meet at some stage."

Before Sustrans, Andy was a ‘Wild space officer' for Havering Council, and he managed a neighbourhood centre and associated community projects in Tower Hamlets for a housing association. He's also spent many years working on community and conservation projects involving schools, youth groups, the local community and a wide range of other organisations.

Andy's schools for 2011/12: 

Barking and Dagenham

Bexley

Redbridge

What's Andy up to?

March saw the start of ‘The Big Pedal' which for the first time ever, was rolled out to Bike It and non Bike It schools alike across the UK. Of the 606,000 cycle journeys made nationally to school over 3 weeks, London schools generated over 54,000 of them! With spring's arrival, I've been doing Dr Bike sessions to help set bikes free from their dusty winter shackles, and checking over new ones assembled at home. Maintenance classes have been run for both parents and pupils at some schools, along with cycle skills sessions. I am currently recruiting new Bike It schools in Redbridge, and Barking and Dagenham for the next academic year and am looking forward to spending summer outdoors helping children and parents discover the joys of being ‘Free Range' on their bicycles.

Ali Jafarey - Bike It officer

Ali JafareyContact Ali: Sustrans Bike It officer, 70 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 0207 017 2366, or email: ali.jafarey@sustrans.org.uk

Ali joined Sustrans in March 2009

“Personally, this has been a very exciting time to join Sustrans, being a culmination of both my personal and professional ambitions. I am a Londoner born and bred and have seen the city transform substantially since I was a young lad riding around Shepherds Bush on my trike. Then, my street had a handful of cars along the whole length and I knew who owned each one. The same street now is littered with cars bumper to bumper.

My current focus is working with outer London boroughs, particularly in West and South West London. Most recently I have been working as a cycling instructor in schools in Harrow and Hounslow. Prior to this I had been working in the voluntary sector for 12 years, mostly within the Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups. I project managing initiatives supporting young people, older people, and asylum seekers and I have also developed cycling promotion initiatives amongst these groups. London has a great multi-cultural mix. I hope to use my experience of diverse London to encourage more hard to reach and non-traditional cyclists from these communities onto their bikes.”

Ali is taking a new direction for Bike It in London and is looking to work predominantly with Black and Minority Ethnic communities located in the outer London boroughs as from September 2009. Ali, who speaks Hindi and Urdu, already has experience working in these areas as a fully accredited cycling instructor.

Ali's schools for 2011/12:

What's Ali up to?

The year has been fantastic, with lots of events coinciding with the Big Pedal. Well done to all my schools who took part in the competition and the children who rode in during it. I would especially like to congratulate Pelham primary school in Merton for coming first of all schools in London and 46th in the whole country. The new schools taken on at the beginning of the year have settled into the rhythm of a being a Bike It school. Bike Marshalls are getting really involved with the project and are in attendance in all events that I have run. I am looking forward to a busy summer with schools and will be concentrating on organising picnic bike rides. Also I am looking to recruit a new set of schools for the new academic year and look forward to meeting the new potential Bike It schools.

Georgie Burr - Bike It officer

Contact:  Georgie Burr, Bike It Officer, Sustrans, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ. 

Mobile: 07973 128206 or email Georgie

"I have loved cycling since I could ride, I would cycle the 3 miles to the nearest shop! Since leaving the countryside and moving to cities my bike has become my best friend, I couldn’t imagine London without it, it saves me so much money and time! Cycling also keeps me healthy, makes me happy, it’s sociable and I’ve learnt some new mechanics skills. Importantly for me, cycling gets me outside and is an environmentally friendly way to travel."

"I hope that by sharing my enthusiasm for cycling I can help pupils and their families to discover or re-discover the joys, and practicalities of cycling."

Georgie has been a Bike It Officer for 2 years, previously in Norfolk.

Georgie's schools for 2011/12 are:

  • Corelli College
  • Hamio Primary School
  • Henwick Primary School
  • Holy Family RC Primary School
  • Meridian Primary School
  • Middle Park Primary School
  • Moatbridge Secondary School
  • Montbelle Primary School
  • Thorntree Primary School
  • Windrush Primary School
  • Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys
  • Wybourne Primary School

Lana Simpson - Bike It officer

Contact Lana: 70 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 0207 017 2362,  mobile: 07876 711 618 or email Lana

Lana joined Sustrans in October 2011

“I am really looking forward to supporting schools across Westminster and being part of the Bike It team. I believe passionately that empowering young people to cycle safely and competently is a fantastic way to improve their long term health, confidence and surrounding environment.”

“I’ve been cycling in London ever since I moved here two years ago and have greatly enjoyed cycling in the various countries I have lived in including Hanoi, Vietnam. I’m eager to spread the word about how convenient and fun cycling can be.”

Before joining Sustrans, Lana worked as both an Education Officer and Community Engagement Officer for an environmental charity in London, in addition to working with a Vietnamese anti-poverty charity based in Hanoi.  She hopes to bring her passion for cycling and background in environmental education to the role as Bike It Officer.

Lana's Schools for 2011/12:

  • Barrow Hill Junior
  • Burdett Coutts
  • Christ Church Bentinck
  • Edward Wilson
  • Essendine
  • Gateway
  • Hampden Gurney
  • Millbank
  • Our Lady of Dolours
  • Paddington Academy
  • Paddington Green
  • Quintin Kynaston
  • Robinsfield Infants
  • Soho Parish
  • St Augustine's
  • St Joseph’s RC
  • St Lukes CE
  • St Mary Magdalene
  • St Mary of the Angerls
  • Westminster Academy
  • Westminster Cathedral

Ruth Chiat - Bike It officer

Contact Ruth: 70 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 0207 017 2355,  mobile: 07876 716 945 or email Ruth

Ruth joined Sustrans in October 2008

“I’m Ruth, Bike It Officer for Brent. It’s really exciting to be starting Bike It in a new Borough! Before coming to London I was a Bike It Officer in Sheffield. Although It was really sad to leave all the fantastic Bike It schools and Transport Planning team up there, it’s mega cool to be down here in London!”

 “I brought my Bike Powered Cinema with me which will now be shared with the London Bike It Team. Hopefully it will get lots of use around the capital’s Bike It Schools.”

Ruth's schools for 2011/12

  • Capital City Academy
  • Carlton Vale Infants
  • Chalkhill Primary
  • Fryent  Primary
  • Kilburn Park Primary
  • Leopold Primary
  • Malorees Junior
  • Mitchell Brook Primary
  • St Andrew & St Francis Cof E Primary
  • St Joseph’s Junior 
  • St Mary Magdalen's Junior
  • Wembley Primary

What's Ruth up to?

“I’ll be working with Brent Council and Brent NHS to help the children, parents and teachers of Brent find their pedals and a new happier, healthier journey to school.  We now have 11 schools confirmed on the project and with lots of exciting events in the diary it’s beginning to get busy!  St Joseph’s Catholic Primary became the first Bike It School in Brent last half term. Together we ran their first Bike Breakfast and Dr Bike session, a great success with over 50 children making their way into school by bicycle for a delicious free breakfast and a free cycle safety check.  We have also had a Bike Shelter opening event at Malorees Juniors, attended by London Assembly Member Navin Shah, as well 67 children and around 20 parents who cycled into school for the event!  Over the next few weeks we will be launching Bike It in all our new schools. Watch this space!”

Sadie Rhodes - Bike It officer

Contact Sadie: 70 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6EJ

Tel: 0207 017 2350, mobile: 07584 066 351 or email Sadie

Sadie joined Sustrans in October 2011

‘As the new Bike It Officer for London Borough of Hillingdon, I’m really looking forward to taking the Bike It project into a Greater London borough. I have cycled in London since I moved here nearly 4 years ago and have seen the numbers of cyclists greatly increasing over that period.  It would be wonderful to see that happen in Greater London too.

I’ve been passionate about cycling for many years and so I’m really looking forward to working with children and bikes, and helping more children to enjoy the benefits of cycling.’

Before joining Sustrans, Sadie worked in environmental education in Epping Forest, delivering hands on outdoor learning experiences to children from London and Essex.  She has also worked on environmental behaviour change projects with universities, and on a school solar energy project with over 100 schools.

Sadie’s Schools for 2011/12:

  • Swakeleys School
  • Guru Nanak Sikh Academy
  • 4 schools to be confirmed

What’s Sadie up to?

As this is the first time Bike It has run in Hillingdon, I am currently recruiting schools to take part. In total I will be working with 6 schools during 2011-12.

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