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How a BMX track transformed Bromley and curbed antisocial behaviour
Discover the incredible charities, supported by the London Marathon Foundation, that are helping people across the UK to lead healthy and active lives.
Access Sport is a national charity that empowers clubs, schools, and community organisations to deliver inclusive grassroots programmes to unlock potential and break down barriers to make sports accessible for all.
They've been awarded £2,560,016 by the London Marathon Foundation since 2018. The charity aims to reach 50,000 young people per annum by the end of 2027.
“A lot of the young people we work with, from primary to secondary school, can’t ride a bike,” says Tess Cinamon-Duffield, Head of Programme for Access Sport’s Changing Sports.
“That's why we champion access to free equipment and training in a local space so they can learn to ride confidently.”
Access to sports isn't just about local places and equipment; it's also about perception. That's why the charity has adopted a two-pronged approach. They collaborate with clubs, councils, schools, and community organisations in areas with greater needs to build sustainable grassroots initiatives. They also work with clubs and governing bodies to redefine sports participation and unlock untapped potential. Access Sport’s inclusive cycling programme is a great example of this work in action.
“Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport,” says Tess. “But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception”
Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport, says Tess. But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception
Tess says that BMX is a great way to get young people cycling, and Access Sport has been instrumental in building a number of pump tracks across the UK as part of the charity’s work to expand inclusive cycling. A pump track is a closed-loop track designed for riders to gain momentum through up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing. One of those tracks is The Hoblingwell Cycle Track in Bromley.
The area was suffering significant antisocial behaviour including arson. The situation became particularly worrying when primary school children were starting to get involved. The police believed there was a lack of activities for young people in the area, so they held consultations at schools to find out the activities that pupils wanted. A bike track came out on top, and the police approached Access Sport. Arson was so prolific in the area at the time, the charity was told anything that was built had to be flameproof.
After extensive planning and design, the track opened in 2022. Access Sport began delivering BMX sessions to local primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools. They hired a community activator who collaborated with the Friends of Hoblingwell Wood to establish the Hoblingwell Bike Collective - a community of riders who use the track regularly. Access Sport also partnered with local organisations such as Bromley Youth Support, Saint Barnabas Bike Project, and Dynamic Coaching to create a network of volunteers dedicated to supporting the riders.
The track has been a turning point for the area as antisocial behaviour and crime have reduced since it opened.
Caption: Children riding on a BMX pump track
“Those who were originally misusing that area are now the first ones to turn up to sessions,” says Tess.
“The young people have a sense of ownership of the track and the shared responsibility for looking after the equipment. A few bikes went missing when it first opened, but a lot came back when we explained that this is yours, so if it's gone, you miss out. I think having that ownership has helped create a real community. Now they do open rides together and litter picks. It has expanded beyond just sessions.”
There’s also a path for progression, as Tess hopes many young people will complete coaching qualifications and become young leaders at the track. She says that empowering local people to support the cause creates lasting change so that sport can become a core part of that community. Ultimately, Access Sport wants inclusion to be the norm so that every child and young person has an opportunity similar to those in Bromley.
Sport transforms lives. It improves physical and mental health. It builds confidence and life skills and creates a sense of belonging and community.
The benefits of sport are far-reaching, but Tess says there’s still a long way to go. The latest Active Lives survey found that 3.6 million children are still not physically active for an average of 60 daily minutes across the week, as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
“The challenge is that too many young people are still missing out, especially those who are disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to inclusive community sports remains low,” Tess says.
The cost of living is a big barrier as 43% of parents and carers struggle to afford activities outside of school (Good Childhood Report, 2024).
“We want to make sure that sport is for all and not just for the privileged few. Every child deserves to experience the life-changing benefits of sport, but the chances aren’t equal,” says Tess.
“The groups who face the biggest barriers are also those who have the most to gain from that inclusive community sport.”
Access Sport has worked with the London Marathon Foundation since 2018, a partnership that Tess says has been transformative for the charity.
“It has always felt like a true partnership based on trust, open communication, and shared values. The funding team that we work with are passionate individuals and just excellent to work with.”
Access Sport receives funding through the Foundation’s Partnerships Fund. However, if you're new to the Foundation, consider applying to the Active Spaces Fund. Applications to this fund are accepted all year round.
“If you get the opportunity to work with the Foundation then take it,” says Tess.
“The Foundation is innovative and they want to see new and different ideas. They also appreciate you're the experts in your field and want to support you so you can reach even more people.
“A lot of funders might say they are there for you, but it genuinely feels like that with the Foundation. If there is a challenge or a project changes, we make that decision together. I think having that openness has been really helpful.”
Find out more about Active Spaces fund
Home
Menu
LMF
Children & Young People
Charities
Environment
Communities & DEI
How a BMX track transformed Bromley and curbed antisocial behaviour
Discover the incredible charities, supported by the London Marathon Foundation, that are helping people across the UK to lead healthy and active lives.
Access Sport is a national charity that empowers clubs, schools, and community organisations to deliver inclusive grassroots programmes to unlock potential and break down barriers to make sports accessible for all.
They've been awarded £2,560,016 by the London Marathon Foundation since 2018. The charity aims to reach 50,000 young people per annum by the end of 2027.
“A lot of the young people we work with, from primary to secondary school, can’t ride a bike,” says Tess Cinamon-Duffield, Head of Programme for Access Sport’s Changing Sports.
“That's why we champion access to free equipment and training in a local space so they can learn to ride confidently.”
Access to sports isn't just about local places and equipment; it's also about perception. That's why the charity has adopted a two-pronged approach. They collaborate with clubs, councils, schools, and community organisations in areas with greater needs to build sustainable grassroots initiatives. They also work with clubs and governing bodies to redefine sports participation and unlock untapped potential. Access Sport’s inclusive cycling programme is a great example of this work in action.
“Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport,” says Tess. “But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception”
Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport, says Tess. But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception
Tess says that BMX is a great way to get young people cycling, and Access Sport has been instrumental in building a number of pump tracks across the UK as part of the charity’s work to expand inclusive cycling. A pump track is a closed-loop track designed for riders to gain momentum through up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing. One of those tracks is The Hoblingwell Cycle Track in Bromley.
The area was suffering significant antisocial behaviour including arson. The situation became particularly worrying when primary school children were starting to get involved. The police believed there was a lack of activities for young people in the area, so they held consultations at schools to find out the activities that pupils wanted. A bike track came out on top, and the police approached Access Sport. Arson was so prolific in the area at the time, the charity was told anything that was built had to be flameproof.
After extensive planning and design, the track opened in 2022. Access Sport began delivering BMX sessions to local primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools. They hired a community activator who collaborated with the Friends of Hoblingwell Wood to establish the Hoblingwell Bike Collective - a community of riders who use the track regularly. Access Sport also partnered with local organisations such as Bromley Youth Support, Saint Barnabas Bike Project, and Dynamic Coaching to create a network of volunteers dedicated to supporting the riders.
The track has been a turning point for the area as antisocial behaviour and crime have reduced since it opened.
Caption: Children riding on a BMX pump track
“Those who were originally misusing that area are now the first ones to turn up to sessions,” says Tess.
“The young people have a sense of ownership of the track and the shared responsibility for looking after the equipment. A few bikes went missing when it first opened, but a lot came back when we explained that this is yours, so if it's gone, you miss out. I think having that ownership has helped create a real community. Now they do open rides together and litter picks. It has expanded beyond just sessions.”
There’s also a path for progression, as Tess hopes many young people will complete coaching qualifications and become young leaders at the track. She says that empowering local people to support the cause creates lasting change so that sport can become a core part of that community. Ultimately, Access Sport wants inclusion to be the norm so that every child and young person has an opportunity similar to those in Bromley.
Sport transforms lives. It improves physical and mental health. It builds confidence and life skills and creates a sense of belonging and community.
The benefits of sport are far-reaching, but Tess says there’s still a long way to go. The latest Active Lives survey found that 3.6 million children are still not physically active for an average of 60 daily minutes across the week, as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
“The challenge is that too many young people are still missing out, especially those who are disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to inclusive community sports remains low,” Tess says.
The cost of living is a big barrier as 43% of parents and carers struggle to afford activities outside of school (Good Childhood Report, 2024).
“We want to make sure that sport is for all and not just for the privileged few. Every child deserves to experience the life-changing benefits of sport, but the chances aren’t equal,” says Tess.
“The groups who face the biggest barriers are also those who have the most to gain from that inclusive community sport.”
Access Sport has worked with the London Marathon Foundation since 2018, a partnership that Tess says has been transformative for the charity.
“It has always felt like a true partnership based on trust, open communication, and shared values. The funding team that we work with are passionate individuals and just excellent to work with.”
Access Sport receives funding through the Foundation’s Partnerships Fund. However, if you're new to the Foundation, consider applying to the Active Spaces Fund. Applications to this fund are accepted all year round.
“If you get the opportunity to work with the Foundation then take it,” says Tess.
“The Foundation is innovative and they want to see new and different ideas. They also appreciate you're the experts in your field and want to support you so you can reach even more people.
“A lot of funders might say they are there for you, but it genuinely feels like that with the Foundation. If there is a challenge or a project changes, we make that decision together. I think having that openness has been really helpful.”
Find out more about Active Spaces fund
How a BMX track transformed Bromley and curbed antisocial behaviour
Discover the incredible charities, supported by the London Marathon Foundation, that are helping people across the UK to lead healthy and active lives.
Access Sport is a national charity that empowers clubs, schools, and community organisations to deliver inclusive grassroots programmes to unlock potential and break down barriers to make sports accessible for all.
They've been awarded £2,560,016 by the London Marathon Foundation since 2018. The charity aims to reach 50,000 young people per annum by the end of 2027.
“A lot of the young people we work with, from primary to secondary school, can’t ride a bike,” says Tess Cinamon-Duffield, Head of Programme for Access Sport’s Changing Sports.
“That's why we champion access to free equipment and training in a local space so they can learn to ride confidently.”
Access to sports isn't just about local places and equipment; it's also about perception. That's why the charity has adopted a two-pronged approach. They collaborate with clubs, councils, schools, and community organisations in areas with greater needs to build sustainable grassroots initiatives. They also work with clubs and governing bodies to redefine sports participation and unlock untapped potential. Access Sport’s inclusive cycling programme is a great example of this work in action.
“Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport,” says Tess. “But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception”
Cycling is a core life skill and it can be a very inclusive sport, says Tess. But cycling has historically been seen as a sport where most of the participants are white, male and middle class, so it’s about trying to change that perception
Tess says that BMX is a great way to get young people cycling, and Access Sport has been instrumental in building a number of pump tracks across the UK as part of the charity’s work to expand inclusive cycling. A pump track is a closed-loop track designed for riders to gain momentum through up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing. One of those tracks is The Hoblingwell Cycle Track in Bromley.
The area was suffering significant antisocial behaviour including arson. The situation became particularly worrying when primary school children were starting to get involved. The police believed there was a lack of activities for young people in the area, so they held consultations at schools to find out the activities that pupils wanted. A bike track came out on top, and the police approached Access Sport. Arson was so prolific in the area at the time, the charity was told anything that was built had to be flameproof.
After extensive planning and design, the track opened in 2022. Access Sport began delivering BMX sessions to local primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools. They hired a community activator who collaborated with the Friends of Hoblingwell Wood to establish the Hoblingwell Bike Collective - a community of riders who use the track regularly. Access Sport also partnered with local organisations such as Bromley Youth Support, Saint Barnabas Bike Project, and Dynamic Coaching to create a network of volunteers dedicated to supporting the riders.
The track has been a turning point for the area as antisocial behaviour and crime have reduced since it opened.
Caption: Children riding on a BMX pump track
“Those who were originally misusing that area are now the first ones to turn up to sessions,” says Tess.
“The young people have a sense of ownership of the track and the shared responsibility for looking after the equipment. A few bikes went missing when it first opened, but a lot came back when we explained that this is yours, so if it's gone, you miss out. I think having that ownership has helped create a real community. Now they do open rides together and litter picks. It has expanded beyond just sessions.”
There’s also a path for progression, as Tess hopes many young people will complete coaching qualifications and become young leaders at the track. She says that empowering local people to support the cause creates lasting change so that sport can become a core part of that community. Ultimately, Access Sport wants inclusion to be the norm so that every child and young person has an opportunity similar to those in Bromley.
Sport transforms lives. It improves physical and mental health. It builds confidence and life skills and creates a sense of belonging and community.
The benefits of sport are far-reaching, but Tess says there’s still a long way to go. The latest Active Lives survey found that 3.6 million children are still not physically active for an average of 60 daily minutes across the week, as recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
“The challenge is that too many young people are still missing out, especially those who are disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to inclusive community sports remains low,” Tess says.
The cost of living is a big barrier as 43% of parents and carers struggle to afford activities outside of school (Good Childhood Report, 2024).
“We want to make sure that sport is for all and not just for the privileged few. Every child deserves to experience the life-changing benefits of sport, but the chances aren’t equal,” says Tess.
“The groups who face the biggest barriers are also those who have the most to gain from that inclusive community sport.”
Access Sport has worked with the London Marathon Foundation since 2018, a partnership that Tess says has been transformative for the charity.
“It has always felt like a true partnership based on trust, open communication, and shared values. The funding team that we work with are passionate individuals and just excellent to work with.”
Access Sport receives funding through the Foundation’s Partnerships Fund. However, if you're new to the Foundation, consider applying to the Active Spaces Fund. Applications to this fund are accepted all year round.
“If you get the opportunity to work with the Foundation then take it,” says Tess.
“The Foundation is innovative and they want to see new and different ideas. They also appreciate you're the experts in your field and want to support you so you can reach even more people.
“A lot of funders might say they are there for you, but it genuinely feels like that with the Foundation. If there is a challenge or a project changes, we make that decision together. I think having that openness has been really helpful.”
Find out more about Active Spaces fund