St Nicholas Square in Colchester City Centre was transformed into a lively hub of activity on Saturday 28 March, 1000 to 1400, as the Spring Onto Your Bike mini festival of cycling, brought together residents, workers and local organisations for a highly successful celebration of cycling.

Organised by Nik Hughes, Active Travel Business Engagement Lead from Colchester City Council’s Travel and Sustainability Team, the event was designed with a clear purpose: to support city centre workers, particularly those on low incomes, who either cycle or are considering cycling but face perceived barriers. From cost concerns to safety anxieties, the festival set out to demonstrate that local support for cycling is both extensive and accessible.

Strong turnout driven by engagement

With eight stalls from local organisations and charities championing cycling and active travel, the event drew significant footfall throughout the morning and early afternoon. Attendance was bolstered by an effective social media campaign in the lead up to the event, ensuring strong awareness across the community.

Each stall offered practical and tangible support. From route advice and employer schemes to affordable bikes and maintenance, the overarching message was clear: cycling in Colchester is not only viable but actively supported.

Post event feedback from stallholders confirmed what was evident on the day. Engagement levels were consistently high, with meaningful conversations taking place between organisations and members of the public.

Partnership working delivers security success

A standout success story from the event, and one of particular relevance to BikeRegister’s mission, was the collaboration between local policing teams, volunteers and cycling organisations to deliver an exceptional level of bike security marking.

PCSO Amy Robinson and PC Simon Jam led the Bike Register initiative, supported by volunteers Emily Hughes and Kerry Hine. Together, they successfully security marked 43 bicycles using BikeRegister Membership Plus Kit, supplied by Colchester Bike Kitchen.

This figure represents an unprecedented level of registrations for a single local event, demonstrating what can be achieved when security is made accessible, visible and convenient.

A smart, streamlined approach

The success of the BikeRegister stall was no accident. Strategic positioning alongside two high traffic stalls proved critical:

• Colchester Bike Kitchen’s Dr Bike station, offering free maintenance and safety checks
• Re-Cycle (Bikes to Africa charity), selling refurbished bicycles at budget friendly prices

Every visitor engaging with these stalls was actively encouraged to register their bike. The close proximity created a natural flow, seamlessly guiding participants towards the security marking station.

From the outset, the BikeRegister stall was busy. Crucially, the use of the BikeRegister App ensured that registrations were handled efficiently and securely. Without this digital capability, managing such a high volume would have been extremely challenging and could have introduced significant GDPR risks.

Quality engagement alongside strong numbers

Beyond the headline figures, the quality of engagement was equally important. Both officers reported positive, in depth conversations with attendees, many of whom expressed concerns about theft as a barrier to cycling.

By addressing these concerns directly, and offering immediate solutions through security marking, the initiative helped to build confidence in cycling as a safe and viable mode of transport.

The officers also highlighted their appreciation for the volunteers, whose support was instrumental in maintaining the pace and quality of registrations throughout the event.

Reducing barriers through collaboration

At its core, Spring Onto Your Bike demonstrated the power of partnership working. By bringing together organisations with a shared goal, the event tackled multiple barriers simultaneously, from affordability and maintenance to safety and security.

For businesses and communities alike, the message is clear: effective crime prevention, including cycle security, is most impactful when integrated into a broader, supportive ecosystem.

Organiser’s reflection
 

For further information and images contact: Victoria Clark, Marketing Executive for Selectamark.

Phone: +44 (0)1689 487829
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @bikeregister