Caroline Russell AM calls on Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner to support struggling cycle trainers

Caroline Russell has written to Will Norman, the Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, raising the precarious situation of people working as Cycle Trainers in London. The trainers are sounding the alarm about a lack of a reliable work stream and the variability in wages putting cycle training at risk. 

Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said: 

“London’s cycle trainers play a crucial role in giving people the confidence to ride safely on the road, but cycling instructors tell me they are working hand to mouth with no reliable stream of work. Trainers leaving the industry while the pipeline of new people is down to a trickle.  

“With the huge increase in cycle lanes in London and the rise of dockless hire bikes, more Londoners than ever are taking to two wheels. It’s never been easier to download an app, grab a bike and ride around. 

“But while private companies cash in on London’s cycle boom, the people making cycling safe are being left behind. Many instructors are struggling, most are stuck on insecure contracts, scraping by from one session to the next with no guaranteed hours or steady income. Yet, London’s cycle trainers play a crucial role in giving people the confidence to ride safely on our roads, helping to prevent crashes and save lives.  

“The Mayor and TfL are not on track with their Vision Zero goal for no one to be killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 2041. Investing in high-quality cycle training, with fair wages and secure employment for instructors, would move London closer to achieving this target. I've written to TfL asking for this and suggesting they work with private bike hire companies to provide safety training for riders, offering free riding minutes as an incentive to take part.”