Since the pandemic, British Cycling and other organisations, like Cycling Time trials and clubs up and down the country have seen a sharp decline in activity take-ups. I know one man who is really trying hard to reverse this, and that's Bruce. Bruce is the Eastern Regional Manager for British Cycling. Basically, think East London up to the east coast. Of course, it takes in where I am, and so I get to work with bruce from time to time. and I knew I had to get him on the pod to kick things off with all things BC! It was a little rushed, he's a busy man and it was in between his work meetings, but was great nonetheless.
This podcast was recorded several months back, I just haven't gotten round to editing it! The eastern region has just released their annual report, which would have been great to dive into with Bruce (https://i.emlfiles4.com/cmpdoc/2/1/0/7/9/1/files/97617_eastern-regional-delivery-plan---2022-2025.pdf?utm_campaign=2426120_Member%20News%20%7C%2017%2F11%2F22&utm_medium=email&utm_source=British%20Cycling%20V2&dm_i=480K,1G008,Y8R10,6OZSL,1)
A quick glance shows that events and take up have tanked hugely since the pandemic. However, it's promising to see that youth engagement has remained pretty much the same. There are some real takeaways on how Bruce and BC look to push cycling here in the eastern region.
On this pod, Bruce shares what he does and how he does it and he is a real supporter of the community and likes to uplift the volunteers who give so much for the sport. He was even at the recent The Muslim Cyclist event at Rapha in conjunction with Evolve Cycling Club. He is also part of the reason I'm on the BC scholarship program, that's another way how BC supports our community and others too! You will hear more about Bruce in future episodes I'm sure.
This is I hope the first in a long line of guests from or about British Cycling. To name a few I hope to get on at some point in the future is Izzy, who I work with at the City Academies, an absolutely amazing project. There's also Asma, who works with Izzy to get more kids in inner cities on bikes, and also a fellow scholar, as is Shahina, a member of Evolve. For those who don't know, Evolve is a women's and kids club, based out in West London that run some fantastic events and coaching with the help of BC. If I'm not mistaken, they created the first Muslim women's sportive & TT, giving the opportunity to many of our sisters to take part for the first time. Iffat is the real driver behind the program, so she's someone I hope we can speak to soon inshaAllah! I know a few other projects that BC are involved in, like their partnership with Foleshill Masjed up in Coventry, and I'm sure there are tons more. Over time, I'll try to unearth them all, and may they long grow inshaAllah.
