Oldhippy
Cynical idealist
A vision of my town
An environment that encompasses a cafe, workshop, cycle hire, local delivery service, training and storage. Designed to promote cycling as a whole, and as a form of transport generally and improving the Community we live in. Promoting the fact that the use of cycles is not limited to leisure pursuits only. It would hopefully cause a gradual sea change in the local and wider population that see cycles and cycling as a perfectly acceptable way of getting around the local area, shopping, commuting to work and leisure pursuits.
This would in the long term, make my town and the surrounding area less polluted with motor traffic and provide a sizable traffic free zone in the town with the added bonus of improving the health and well being of the population. It would also provide employment opportunities, both full time and part time, for the local population. The following possibilities could be started all at once which is on the grand scale, but also introduced over a period of time.
It is envisaged that funding would come from a number of sources. The local Authority could potentially free up the space required and initially charge a peppercorn rent until the business was established. The other activities could possibly be either a number of separate entities in their own right or formed as a co-operative of like minded individuals working together. It could also be operated as a non profit organisation paying salaried staff. Cycling organisations like Cycling UK, Sustrans, Wheels for All and British Cycling could lend support to make fundraising an easier prospect. Local businesses would be approached that would benefit from the idea. Wealthy individuals who have an interest in new and exciting ideas may be a good source of funding as well.
The potential is far and wide ranging for making a more sustainable community generally, firmly putting my town and its environs on the map as a cycle friendly place to live and work alongside Cambridge, York and Oxford in terms of cycle use versus polluting means. Employment opportunities are wide and varied. The long term effect on health and wellbeing are enormous on their own and will far outweigh any initial cost. The whole enterprise would still have expansion opportunities with branded products as the company/charity/co-operative/non profit organisation became more established. These would be sourced from an environmental perspective and use local crafts people and companies where ever possible. This has proven to be true in Denmark, Spain, France and other European countries. Cycle Super Highways in London were met with derision when they were first proposed but have since increased cycling in the Capital enormously.
I would envisage the whole enterprise be run by regular Committee meetings (and Trustees if is run as a charity) to determine progress, expansion opportunities as they arise. A set of values and operating ethos would need to be agreed from the outset. Staff hiring would need to be inclusive and represent all members of the Community in which it operated. Remaining fully inclusive to all would be a high priority in the operating ethos of the business.
The AA have recently stated that more roads should be made pedestrian and sustainable transport friendly. It would be sensible to work with local cycle retailers, of which there is currently only one in my town. There should be no direct business competition as they cater to the sale of new machines and parts. It would good to work with them as opposed to being any competition. New opportunities would also arise as things progress. With the advent of Covid-19 we have proved that it is possible to free up roads as people were forced to limit needless car use. Also the commitment from National Government to provide funding for road changes should make this doable.
A local Cycle Festival could be held once a year promoting all things cycling and sustainable. Run over a weekend it should be open to sponsors of related products and ideas. Based at the business operating base but encouraging local business to have a stake in the event. It could encompass a camping weekend for those travelling in to the area, cycle building competitions, local business sponsorship of the craziest home built road legal cycle, win a new cycle and apparel competitions, biggest school turn out prizes, the list goes on. The main but not exhaustive list of enterprises are:
Cafe:
Providing hot and cold drinks, breakfast, lunches and early evening meals both in house and take away. Seating area inside and out. Accessible for all and using as much local produce for the cafe as possible.
Cycle workshop:
Providing repairs large and small, advice and running accredited repair courses to those interested in learning the mechanics of cycle repair. Sales of spares and recycled cycles for those on a low income or disadvantaged in other ways.
Delivery Service:
With a small fleet of different cargo cycles and a relationship with local businesses it would be possible to deliver anything from small packages and letters to van loads of items, food, electrical items including things like washing machines and fridges and furniture in and around the local area. This would be achieved with specialised electrically assisted cargo cycles that are able carry small and surprisingly large loads.
Wheels for All:
Providing storage and space to have regular Wheels for All sessions catering to those with disabilities of all kinds. Wheels for All are already a well known organisation.
Camping Area:
Open area with around space for camping, amenities for cycling and walking tourists.
Cycle Training and bike hire:
Training in-house and in local schools for children and adults alike. A wide range of cycles to hire by the day or longer for families and individuals.
Shop:
Small shop area selling Sustrans/Cycling UK products, cycle friendly maps of the area and tourist information and local sites.
Local Tours:
Guided local tours of the area.
Environmental Taxi Service:
A small number of weatherproof rickshaw type cycles with electrically assisted motors for the hilly areas of my town could be positioned in the town square and be either ordered by a phone app or via the main site phone or booked online. The prices could be kept affordable. They could operate within a ten mile radius of my town. It would also be wise to have at least one adapted for wheelchair use and get more as the business progressed.
An environment that encompasses a cafe, workshop, cycle hire, local delivery service, training and storage. Designed to promote cycling as a whole, and as a form of transport generally and improving the Community we live in. Promoting the fact that the use of cycles is not limited to leisure pursuits only. It would hopefully cause a gradual sea change in the local and wider population that see cycles and cycling as a perfectly acceptable way of getting around the local area, shopping, commuting to work and leisure pursuits.
This would in the long term, make my town and the surrounding area less polluted with motor traffic and provide a sizable traffic free zone in the town with the added bonus of improving the health and well being of the population. It would also provide employment opportunities, both full time and part time, for the local population. The following possibilities could be started all at once which is on the grand scale, but also introduced over a period of time.
It is envisaged that funding would come from a number of sources. The local Authority could potentially free up the space required and initially charge a peppercorn rent until the business was established. The other activities could possibly be either a number of separate entities in their own right or formed as a co-operative of like minded individuals working together. It could also be operated as a non profit organisation paying salaried staff. Cycling organisations like Cycling UK, Sustrans, Wheels for All and British Cycling could lend support to make fundraising an easier prospect. Local businesses would be approached that would benefit from the idea. Wealthy individuals who have an interest in new and exciting ideas may be a good source of funding as well.
The potential is far and wide ranging for making a more sustainable community generally, firmly putting my town and its environs on the map as a cycle friendly place to live and work alongside Cambridge, York and Oxford in terms of cycle use versus polluting means. Employment opportunities are wide and varied. The long term effect on health and wellbeing are enormous on their own and will far outweigh any initial cost. The whole enterprise would still have expansion opportunities with branded products as the company/charity/co-operative/non profit organisation became more established. These would be sourced from an environmental perspective and use local crafts people and companies where ever possible. This has proven to be true in Denmark, Spain, France and other European countries. Cycle Super Highways in London were met with derision when they were first proposed but have since increased cycling in the Capital enormously.
I would envisage the whole enterprise be run by regular Committee meetings (and Trustees if is run as a charity) to determine progress, expansion opportunities as they arise. A set of values and operating ethos would need to be agreed from the outset. Staff hiring would need to be inclusive and represent all members of the Community in which it operated. Remaining fully inclusive to all would be a high priority in the operating ethos of the business.
The AA have recently stated that more roads should be made pedestrian and sustainable transport friendly. It would be sensible to work with local cycle retailers, of which there is currently only one in my town. There should be no direct business competition as they cater to the sale of new machines and parts. It would good to work with them as opposed to being any competition. New opportunities would also arise as things progress. With the advent of Covid-19 we have proved that it is possible to free up roads as people were forced to limit needless car use. Also the commitment from National Government to provide funding for road changes should make this doable.
A local Cycle Festival could be held once a year promoting all things cycling and sustainable. Run over a weekend it should be open to sponsors of related products and ideas. Based at the business operating base but encouraging local business to have a stake in the event. It could encompass a camping weekend for those travelling in to the area, cycle building competitions, local business sponsorship of the craziest home built road legal cycle, win a new cycle and apparel competitions, biggest school turn out prizes, the list goes on. The main but not exhaustive list of enterprises are:
Cafe:
Providing hot and cold drinks, breakfast, lunches and early evening meals both in house and take away. Seating area inside and out. Accessible for all and using as much local produce for the cafe as possible.
Cycle workshop:
Providing repairs large and small, advice and running accredited repair courses to those interested in learning the mechanics of cycle repair. Sales of spares and recycled cycles for those on a low income or disadvantaged in other ways.
Delivery Service:
With a small fleet of different cargo cycles and a relationship with local businesses it would be possible to deliver anything from small packages and letters to van loads of items, food, electrical items including things like washing machines and fridges and furniture in and around the local area. This would be achieved with specialised electrically assisted cargo cycles that are able carry small and surprisingly large loads.
Wheels for All:
Providing storage and space to have regular Wheels for All sessions catering to those with disabilities of all kinds. Wheels for All are already a well known organisation.
Camping Area:
Open area with around space for camping, amenities for cycling and walking tourists.
Cycle Training and bike hire:
Training in-house and in local schools for children and adults alike. A wide range of cycles to hire by the day or longer for families and individuals.
Shop:
Small shop area selling Sustrans/Cycling UK products, cycle friendly maps of the area and tourist information and local sites.
Local Tours:
Guided local tours of the area.
Environmental Taxi Service:
A small number of weatherproof rickshaw type cycles with electrically assisted motors for the hilly areas of my town could be positioned in the town square and be either ordered by a phone app or via the main site phone or booked online. The prices could be kept affordable. They could operate within a ten mile radius of my town. It would also be wise to have at least one adapted for wheelchair use and get more as the business progressed.
