New cyclists were hatched over Easter 2005 as Hackney's freshly qualified trainers flexed their skills.

Local school project STA Bikes gave nearly 200 free lessons as 'Bikes in the Parks' drew people to Springfield, Millfields and Hackney Downs. There was delight and excitement as children and adults found themselves riding a bike for the first time.

"Did I enjoy it? Yes yes yes!" exclaimed Rhonda Waucer of Clapton, who did an adult beginner lesson, "I had a great teacher!"  While Rhonda went wheeling, her son James was learning to fix his wheel. "An excellent job," said Amjid Rana of Newick Road, whose seven-year-old daughter got her parents up early to book her a lesson. "My daughter has been excited about it all week since we saw it in the school newsletter."

Madeleine Heinemann's seven-year-old Felix was in beginners one day and came back for improvers the next. His ten-year-old sister Aimee brushed up her control skills. Meanwhile Madelaine, of Osbaldeston Road, learned to fix punctures and brought her husband Jim on day three for a beginner lesson. "The imaginative games made it easy to learn," said Madelaine.

Learners were astonished to find that some of their teachers were learners just two years ago. Amita Macha teaches cycling for STA Bikes at her son's school Sir Thomas Abney. Amita passed the final stage of her qualification under the Department of Transport National Standards just before the Easter holidays, but in 2003 she was a beginner. "The great thing about starting from scratch is that I didn't have any bad habits," explained Amita. 
Co-trainers and local mums Jo Roach, Kelly Stoakley and Pat Gannon also achieved the qualification.
STA Bikes provided cycles which were brought in every day on their giant cycle trailer, together with an information stall. [pic STABikes_are_go.jpg]
The sessions were sparked off by requests from the parks user groups. Millfields Park User Group funded one session, and Hackney Council the rest.
'We got twice the numbers we expected," said 'Dr Bike' Tim Evans. "People kept asking when we're doing it again."
Parents went away enthused about setting up lessons in their own children's schools. STA Bikes will organise a meeting for them early next term. "STA Bikes all started from a couple of parents with enthusiasm," said organiser Sally Haywill, "and now everyone at Sir Thomas Abney takes it for granted. We're eager to help other schools get started."
For more about STA Bikes contact
·    Sally Haywill shaywill@blueyonder.co.uk
·    Andy Doyle 020 8809 0908