North Yorkshire County Council, Northallerton

The judges liked the novelty and simplicity of this scheme, which offered entry into a free bike competition just by completing a brief questionnaire and pledge form. The details supplied enabled some follow up on a targeted basis which, it was estimated, has resulted in 7% of participants cycling more often. The panel would have liked to see absolute numbers as well as percentages but overall felt this approach was sufficiently different and potentially productive elsewhere that it deserved to be highlighted by the conferring of an award.

Award presented to Geoff Gardner, Travel Awareness Officer, North Yorkshire County Council.

Luton Borough Council & Sustrans

Recycling old bikes back into the community is not new and in itself might even be more an exercise in reducing waste rather than promoting cycling. The judges however felt that this scheme offered something new by not selling the bikes but supplying them free and linking this to cycle training to national standards. The availability of suitable free bikes is clearly invaluable to anyone thinking of trying out cycling or embarking on cycle training, be it to individuals or, pooled, to schools or community centres. The panel also liked the follow up, retrieving any bike that does not continue to be used.

Award presented to Sue Rowe, Sustrans.

Age Concern, Hastings & Hastings Urban Bikes

The judges liked this simple but effective project which targets the over-50's, offering rides, different types of bike to try out, bike checks, advice on maintenance and discounts in local shops. The panel agreed that targeted promotion like this is probably more effective than a scattergun approach and, in this case, clearly addresses a health agenda for our more senior citizens. It also welcomed the involvement of an important organisation like Age Concern which may be able to spread the message much more effectively among their target group than more conventional cycling organisations.

Award presented to Pat Brazell, Age Concern.

Honourable Commendations

Two other nominations were considered worthy of an Honourable Commendation, although they were not sufficiently outstanding to merit a full award.

Haddenham Cycle Training, Buckinghamshire
The judges very much liked the whole-village, community-wide approach to this project, which extends to the three village schools. They were pleased to note that training is now in line with national standards and, to a degree, cycling has been incorporated into the curriculum and timetables of schools. Noteworthy, too, is the involvement of parents and the positive effect this seems to have on their travel behaviour. The panel decided against offering an award in this case primarily because many schools are now offering the same standard of cycle training and it was looking primarily for new ideas to highlight nationally. In recognition of the obvious enthusiasm, comprehensiveness and success of the scheme, however, it decided to grant an Honourable Commendation.

Burnwood Community School, Stoke on Trent
The judges were impressed by the comprehensive package on offer at Burnwood Community School. They particularly liked the quality cycle parking, the Collector Cards to earn free cycle lights and the supply of 20 school bikes for pupils and parents to use if they do not have their own. It is encouraging to learn that some parents now cycle to school with their children and up to 12% of pupils now regularly cycle to school during the summer. The panel also noted how the pro-cycling measures fitted into the wider School Travel Plan. It had reservations however about the training package on offer as there was no indication of how it fitted in with the new national standard. Largely because of this it felt unable to grant a full award but had no hesitation in giving it an Honourable Commendation in recognition of its achievements.