Bikes Beyond Bars: new beginnings in HMP Bullingdon

Bikes Beyond Bars has launched!

We’re excited to share that Bikes Beyond Bars is now up and running at HMP Bullingdon - expanding our award-winning prison education programme, which has already transformed hundreds of lives in HMP Bristol and HMP Fosse Way.

The initiative trains those in custody to refurbish donated bikes, restoring them to run like new. These bikes are then quality-checked and resold to the community, offering reliable, affordable, and sustainable transportation options.

Leading the way with Cytech

What really sets the programme apart is the Cytech training; Cytech is the international benchmark for professional bike mechanics. It’s the qualification used across the cycling industry — in workshops, bike shops and service centres nationwide. And that means learners aren’t just improving their skills — they’re improving their career prospects.

The hands-on, full-time course is run in a fully equipped workshop and taught by our expert tutors. Over four weeks, learners refurbish donated bikes and work towards Cytech technical one qualification. This high-quality training can open the door to employment in the cycle trade.

“I’m much more confident in myself. I can focus better. I feel great, I stuck to it and achieved my goal. I want to work in the bike industry. It would be a great achievement.” - Emmet, HMP Bristol

Pathways to progression in prison

After passing their final assessment, graduates can apply for one of two paid orderly positions within the workshop. These roles involve supporting new learners, maintaining a tidy and safe environment, and modelling good practice — helping to create a positive cycle of skill-sharing and leadership.

It’s also a chance to develop soft skills: responsibility, leadership, teamwork — the kind of skills that help people thrive after release, whether in employment or in their communities. Learners finish the course with increased self-confidence and a renewed sense of direction.

Powered by partnership

Bringing Bikes Beyond Bars to Bullingdon was made possible by Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund. GWR’s support allows local projects like ours to thrive — particularly those that focus on social inclusion, community resilience and access to opportunity.

We’re also grateful to Cytech for their ongoing support, ensuring that our learners are trained to the highest standards — with qualifications that mean something in the real world.

“Our work isn’t just about teaching bike mechanics — it’s about opening doors,” says Ed Norton, Life Cycle’s CEO. “Thanks to the support of Cytech and GWR, we’re helping people build practical skills, gain confidence, and take meaningful steps towards a better future.”

Building skills that last – in prison and beyond

As a certified Cytech training provider, we run courses for the community in our public-facing workshop in Bristol. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to boost your bike mechanic career, Cytech provides an assured, industry-standard route into professional cycle maintenance.

We’re taking bookings for our Cytech Home mechanic, Technical one and Technical two courses, to help fund our charitable work in prisons, communities and beyond.