More than 100 delegates from around England attended the first Cycling England National Conference on 6th October – with many arriving on bikes.

The two-day event, organised by Cycle Derby whist hosted the 18 cycling demonstration towns which  include Exeter, Brighton and Shrewsbury, giving them all the chance to share ideas and best practice.

Mark Smith, co-ordinator at Cycle Derby said: “Cycle Derby is quite unique in that we base everything we do around working with children and young people. Everything is about enthusiasm, about motivating people.”

One of the main objectives for Cycle Derby was to quadruple the number of Derby schoolchildren cycling to school by 2011, so far the number has risen from less than 1% in 2006 to 3.5% this year so we are well on track. The event also gave Cycle Derby a chance to highlight other key successes such as:

7/10 people in the city have heard of Cycle Derby, giving it high score of brand recognition*
National Bike Week & Bike to School being the most recognised campaigns*
Over half a million visits to the Cycle Derby Website
* Derby Pointer Citizens’ Panel, July 2009 Survey Report

Quotes were also shared  from local schools who have been working with Cycle Derby over the last few years:

“Regular promotion of cycle to School” weeks have helped to keep the concept and benefits of cycling to school high profile”..
Jackie Drake, Headteacher, Chellaston Junior School

“Cycle Derby is the best initiative we have come across in years”.
Clare Morgan, Headteacher, Meadow Farm Primary

“Teaching children how to confidently ride on the road is one of life’s most important lessons and gives children their first sense of freedom”.
Paul McCormack, Cycle Derby  Trainer

Katapult have been working with Cycle Derby for the past 3 years, creating the brand, marketing strategy, the website, exhibition/event materials,  all promotional materials and marketing campaigns and even created the mascots Shift and Sprocket.

Visit www.cyclederby.co.uk.