Deputy Mayor meets bikeability award winner
The Deputy Mayor of Dudley met a dedicated and award-winning cyclist this week.
Kevin Payton, who is one of Dudley Council’s road safety team’s cycle instructors recently won the 'People's Champion Award' in this year’s national Bikeability Awards.
The annual awards recognise the people and organisations encouraging children, young people and families to start cycling and switch to more sustainable transport methods.
Dudley Council’s road safety and travel awareness team was shortlisted in the ‘Large Organisation of the Year’ category, while cycle trainer Kevin Payton won his category.
Kevin, who has been part of the team for the last 13 years, has a lifetime of club and competitive cycling behind him, as well as extensive coaching experience. He’s cycled his whole life, belonging to cycling clubs in his teens, with his first club run at 14.
With his wife he took part in long-distance touring events, steadily becoming well known on the time trial scene, competing regularly. He was also a member of the tandem club and took part in international eventing, with track racing and competitions in summer and cyclo-cross in winter before more recently returning to the road racing league.
Kevin is an extremely well-respected team member and Bikeability Instructor, asked for by name for training and advice, and in receipt of much exceptional feedback. He’s a stalwart of the team and supportive of every child. Although he’s coached for decades, he has been with the council’s bikeability team for the last 13.
Councillor Mushtaq Hussain, Deputy Mayor of Dudley, said:
“Kevin’s enthusiasm for cycling and coaching is clear to see. I know he’s passionate about accessibility and believes everyone should be able to access cycle training. His colleagues tell me he’s particularly focussed on supporting anyone with additional needs, ensuring bikes are fit for purpose and undertaking repairs and alterations in his own time and often at his own expense.
“I’m also pleased to see the wider team recognised with a shortlisting this year, and in fact the team won the Duncan Edwards Award for Sport at last year's civic awards.
“Cycling is a really valuable life skill, and the work of the road safety helps to make cycling accessible to all ages and abilities.”
The team runs Bikeability training courses during school holidays, on weekends and at various events both as group or individual sessions. They can also be adapted to be inclusive to enable all where possible to take part. These include sessions for children and adults. From complete beginners through to those looking to gain confidence riding on the road.
The Bikeability Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the vision to ensure everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life. The Trust manages, develops and promotes the Bikeability programme on behalf of the Department for Transport.
More about the work of the team https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/parking-and-roads/road-safety-and-travel-awareness/