BMX highriders

20121128

Institute for Outdoor Learning

The project features in "Horizons", Winter 2012 (60) pages 22-24
- a professional development magazine for outdoor practitioners.

20121116

BMX at the Velodrome

The cycle development programme at Ravenscliffe has now entered its seventh year and involves over 100 young people with a vast range of special needs undertaking purposeful and relevant cycling opportunities on a weekly basis. In 1996 only 2 students could ride a 2 wheel bike independently. The school now has over 70 competent two wheel riders who are accessing mainstream cycle proficiency sessions and cycling the track at the Manchester Velodrome on a regular basis. In October 2012 8 students cycled the full BMX track at the Velodrome for the first time. We have more sessions on the track booked for 2013. Through highriders we remain committed to further extending cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across the west Yorkshire region.

20121115

Disabled riders in BMX

Follow a recent BMX Talk discussion here

20120215

We are now actively pursuing our plans to scale up our disabled BMX pilot project onto the 10 acre ABLE2 site next to Spen Valley Greenway, Heckmondwike. The new pump track will follow the 'lost' Leeds New Line.

We are grateful to Sported for providing mentor support during this exciting next stage of our pioneering disability BMX project.

20111101

Blind BMXer

Article here and Video here

20110506

Disabled BMX Case Study

Available on request - see Links for "Get in touch with us"

Summer 2011

Exploring the potential of Pump Track sessions with (clockwise): primary school age; girls; gifted & talented; and toddlers!

May 2011 - all systems go

Mission accomplished : BMX for all, with a twist of (wild) garlic

20110408

Grand Opening 8th April!

Thanks to The Big Lottery Fund Awards For All and Marshalls plc. Halifax Courier article here. Now the After School Club begins.

20110326

April 2011, now and next

Our Pump Track will have its Grand Opening April 8th and already we're planning a major follow on project. Click images to zoom.
You can follow progress in Crawley too!

Step 1, get used to the track ...

The first training session on Friday 25th March in glorious Spring weather. A small group with learning disabilities (but capable of independent travel to school) begin by "pumping" the track on foot.

20110101

March 2011: Our Track is IncrEdible

Training sessions begin and wild garlic is sprouting in the berm!

February 2011: finishing touches

10 tonnes of "4mm to dust carboniferous limestone" (crushed rock sand) was donated to the project free of charge for top dressing. Thanks to Marshalls plc for this totally local product in keeping with our guiding principles. See more photos in 'Pics of track' (top).
Stop Press: the Grand Opening will be 8th April 2011.