Croydon cycle training resumes after contract delay

Free cycle safety training for children and adults in Croydon is set to resume after a contract delay led to the suspension of the Bikeability programme. Croydon Council confirmed on 12 October that a new agreement with Bikeability is in place, supported by £77,000 of Transport for London (TfL) funding.

Contract expiry leads to session cancellations

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The Bikeability programme, which offers free cycle skills and road safety instruction, had all its booked sessions cancelled at the end of August. This occurred because the programme's contract with Croydon Council had expired without renewal. Instructors, many working on a gig economy basis, received emails at the end of August informing them that all Croydon training would be withdrawn. This sudden halt left instructors without work and created uncertainty about the future of the service.

Maeve Tomlinson, a full-time instructor, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the cancellations were a shock. She had bookings extending to Christmas. "Suddenly at the end of August, I got an email saying they will have to withdraw all the work," she said. "We felt demoralised, because we have all this work booked and then it’s suddenly wiped off. Its quite distressing if you’re relying on it."

The suspension meant that schoolchildren missed out on vital training during the autumn term, particularly during "Cycle to School week". Adult learners were also affected, with approximately 30 people attending sessions at the Croydon Arena reportedly missing out. In response to the disruption, Ms Tomlinson launched a petition in early October calling for the training to be reinstated. This petition has since attracted nearly 400 signatures.

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Criticism over handling of the scheme

Tom Bowell, Shadow Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment for Croydon's Labour opposition, criticised the council's handling of the situation. "It’s incredibly disappointing to hear that Bikeability training in Croydon has ceased," Mr Bowell told the LDRS. He highlighted the value of the training for residents and their children, providing independence, new skills, and increased road safety awareness.

The council had not provided a public explanation for the suspension until the LDRS report. Confusion was further fuelled by comments from a Conservative councillor, Simon Brew, who stated, "If only we had the money to support every deserving cause, including this one... But we don't, for reasons aforesaid." This comment was made in response to a post by cyclist and Labour member Alan Malarkey on the Nextdoor app.

Resumption of services

A spokesperson for Croydon Council stated that they hope adult cycle training sessions will resume shortly. School-based training is expected to restart after the October half-term break. "We know this pause has been frustrating for those affected and we are grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding while the new arrangements were put in place," the spokesperson said. "We look forward to seeing residents and pupils back in the saddle and enjoying cycle training again very soon."

Mr Malarkey suggested that Mayor Jason Perry and the lead cabinet member should apologise to those affected and that council systems should be reviewed to prevent recurrence. He stated, "It seems unjustified that children, schools and residents have been caught up in some back room deliberations around the council’s contract for cycle training." He added that the council must provide assurances and a timetable for recommencing training, clarifying that the quantity and funding of training remain consistent with previous years.