Avanti Cycling and its community interest company has rich experience in a variety of activities benefiting local communities and organisations.
After-school rides with youth services
We’ve been running regular bike rides in partnership with youth services. The age of participants ranges from 8 to 14 who live near the community centres where we base the rides. The rides give children the opportunity to enjoy a healthy activity and to experience nature in a social setting.
School clubs
We run a series of hour-long sessions in schools, with games that promote bike handling skills.
Cub and scouts sessions
Cub and scout groups have asked us to run sessions with group rides and basic instruction on how to deal with punctures.
Refugee training
We run courses for young refugees on behalf of youth services who provide bikes to their clients on condition that they take part in the training.
SEND training
We train children with special needs such as visual or physical impairment.
Team building events
We run various corporate events such as team building activities, with bike building being a favoured choice.
Support for Reading University’s sustainability programme
We’re closely involved with Reading University’s sustainability programme, helping to provide students with low-cost bikes and offering weekly Dr Bike sessions on campus to ensure their proper maintenance. Bike handling skills training is also on offer.
Bike maintenance skills sessions
We promote rider independence by arranging and supporting basic bike maintenance skills training in partnership with organisations such as the Reading Bicycle Kitchen, the Reading Bike Hub and Trek Bicycle in Bracknell.
Dr Bike sessions in community centres and schools
We run Dr Bike sessions in deprived areas. These involve making minor adjustments and repairs which owners might otherwise avoid because of the expense or long wait times involved in engaging bike shops.
Obstacle course
Our obstacle course is a popular feature at outdoor community events, challenging riders on equipment designed to replicate elements to be found on mountain bike trails.
Cycle festivals
Avanti Cycling organises the annual Reading and Bracknell cycle festivals, which are designed to celebrate bikes – and to bring together the cycling community.
Adult training
For people who haven’t learned to ride a bike as children, we get them rolling. We also help brush up the skills of people who haven’t ridden in a long time, and give riders the confidence to navigate traffic if they want to start commuting by bike.
Training for ride leaders
Social groups or clubs can take advantage of our ride leader training, designed to provide them with the confidence and skills to plan and safely run group rides.
Cycling clubs
Our instructors are heavily involved in national and local clubs which promote cycling, such as the Reading Cycling Club and Cycling UK.