The 2013 Laurie Bunn Award* has been presented to Richard Riddle and Michelle Jamieson, Camden Council’s Urban Cycling Skills trainers, for their innovative approach to engaging large numbers of adults in “life-saving safety lessons”.
Many local councils have programmes for teaching youngsters to be safe on two wheels, but Camden has gone all out to attract almost 1,000 adult cyclists for training over the past 12 months.
Much of their success is down to innovative use of social media. A short YouTube promotional video has been played at GP and dental surgeries across the borough, and been harvested and shared by many other cycle promotion groups. Facebook, Twitter and tumblr accounts have also contributed to an 11% increase in training over the year.
David Williams MBE, chairman of the judging panel and chief executive of GEM Motoring Assist, said: “Well done to the Camden team for embracing the opportunities that social media give road safety officers to engage with their target groups.
“A well thought out marketing strategy has resulted in a significant uptake of the cycle training opportunity and in turn a more confident and safer cycling community.”
Nick Ross, London Road Safety Council (LRSC) president, presented the award to Michelle Jamieson.
For more information contact James Parker, LRSC, on 01483 828443.
*Laurie Bunn was a member of Barking and Dagenham Council for many years and as a result of that became actively involved in the LRSC. He was a vice president and held the positions of both chair of council and chair of executive committee.
That is an excellent scheme of work, it’s good to see social media being put to good use in the promotion of training. In these lean times it is a way forward for many of our projects.
Iain Temperton – Norfolk
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