Sign up for cycling support with GoByCycle

The GoByCycle 2016 project is now underway and we’re looking to work with people in Inverness who would like to use their cars less and make more everyday journeys by bike or on foot.  For more information, go to the GoByCycle page  If you are interested, please fill in our form by clicking here!

We are able to support in a number of different ways, by offering:

  • Cycling skills sessions to improve confidence on your bike (including accompanied commuting!)
  • Bike maintenance sessions so you know how to fix your bike if you run into problems on your journey
  • Safer routes advice – finding the quietest, most enjoyable ways to travel
  • Advice on bikes, what to wear, how to stay safe
  • Pedometers to motivate you while you walk
  • Competitions to enter with the chance of winning prizes
  • The option for you to tell us what would help you – if we can help you we will!

The 2016 Velocity AGM is on Wednesday 29th June @ 7pm

It’s time for Velocity’s AGM!

We’ve had a bit of an exciting year, and we’d love anyone with an interest in what we do to come along for a couple of hours. You’ll find out what we’ve been doing, and help us ensure we’re living up to our aims.

We’re also recruiting for new board members. We really need people with skills in legal issues, HR, business and capacity building to support us in our next steps as an organisation. Election is at the AGM. If you’re interested and want to find out more, contact the chair, Evan Beswick, on [email protected].

See you on the 29th!

Go ByCycle launches in Bike Week

We’re really excited! Our new project, Go ByCycle launches next week. We’re going to be working across the city to do all we can to help get more people on bikes and on foot and out of cars.

You’ll have gathered by now that at Velocity we think bikes are brilliant. We want more people to feel the enjoyment we get out of riding and we want to help make this happen- that’s what Go ByCycle is all about.

Would you like to improve your confidence on the road? Know how to negotiate junctions? Feel happy riding round roundabouts? Understand how to use gears? Then get in touch to find out about our free Cycling Confidence sessions.

If the fear of mechanical failure keeps you off your bike then come along to a bike maintenance session where you’ll be able to learn how to deal with common problems you might encounter along your route to work. We’ll teach you how to fix a puncture, how to put a chain back on, and how your breaks and gears can be adjusted easily. Get in touch for more information.

Are you worried about busy traffic? We can help you discover the quietest route from your house to your work and talk through solutions to any barriers, on or off the bike. We can help you think about how to make your journey as easy and as enjoyable as it can be- what to wear, how to carry things, how to be visible and safe.

Are you up for a competition? We’ll be running walking and cycling challenges throughout the year- let us know if that’s what will get you out of your car and into the fresh air and we’ll sign you up!

Get in touch- [email protected]

To mark Bike Week 2016,  HItravel and Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop have teamed up for a free two-day event which is being held at the Eastgate Centre and Falcon Square in Inverness –  on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June, between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm.

Come and visit us!

  • Bring your bike along to Falcon Square where our Dr Bike mechanics will give it a free check and undertake a basic repair service. We’ll also be able to provide advice on further servicing that your bike may need. 
  • There is also the chance to try your hand at Velocity’s mini-skills course.  Please bring your bike along to Falcon Square to test your balance and co-ordination skills (Wednesday only)
  • Sign up for Cycling Skills courses and Bike Mechanics sessions

The HItravel stall will be on the ground floor of the Eastgate Centre for information and advice about cycling (and walking and public transport use) in and around Inverness.  The opportunity exists to:

  • Sign up for a personalised travel challenge for the chance to win a bike, donated by Halfords.  There are also many cycle-related giveaways for everyone who comes along.
  • Pick up a printed copy of the new Inverness Active Travel Map, which shows walking and cycling routes around the city.  The map is also available to download by visiting the HItravel website
  • If your bike needs servicing or repairs that can’t be done on the day, then HItravel has 30 bike shop service vouchers to give away (available on a first come, first served basis). 

So, whether you’re new to cycling, haven’t ridden for a while, or cycle regularly, hopefully we have some useful advice or inspiration for you.

 Highland Councillor Audrey Sinclair and HITRANS Board Member said: “Bike Week is a great opportunity for anyone interested in active travel to find out more about how they can lead a healthy lifestyle in and around Inverness”

We say “Bikes are Brilliant! We want to share the love!”

 

Job opportunities with Velocity

We are recruiting for 6 posts- Velocity Coordinator (28 hours/ week), 2x Go ByCycle project workers (3 days/ week), Community Engagement and Dr Bike posts (part time, Saturdays and ad hoc hours) and maternity cover for the Women’s Cycle to Health (11.5 hours/week).

Full details for each post are available in the posts below. Closing date for all applications is 9am on Friday 29th April.

We would welcome applications for more than one post.

Any questions please phone Ferga on 01463 41 99 56 or email [email protected]

Velocity Coordinator Job

Velocity Coordinator

Job overview: The Velocity Coordinator will work in conjunction with Velocity’s Board and will have responsibility for the management of operational activities and the strategic and financial development of Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop

Details:

Hours- 28 hours/week
Salary- £23,850 pro rata
Holiday- 5.6 weeks pro rata
Contract- Fixed term 1 year

The Velocity Coordinator’s duties and responsibilities will include

  • Line management and supervision of Projects Coordinator, Cafe Manager and Workshop staff, ensuring that these are meeting agreed aims and providing support to achieve this

  • Assessing future opportunities to present to the board and completing funding applications with their approval, and keeping the board informed about all significant matters

  • Creation of sustainable enterprise

  • Developing and maintaining positive relationships with partners, stakeholders, the local authority and the community

  • Responsible for social media and representing Velocity to the external world

  • Working collaboratively and positively with all colleagues

  • Creating a vibrant and safe working environment where the Velocity team feel inspired and motivated in their work and their belief in their value and the work’s importance

  • Ensuring accurate financial reporting and management of financial resources (working with our bookkeeper)

  • Advocating Velocity’s ethos and values and instilling these in the team

  • Ensuring that Velocity is following best practice in all areas and provides the highest possible service it can

  • Any other duties the Board think are necessary

Reporting

  • to the board of directors: having monthly meetings with the board of directors, reporting on all aspects of the business including staff and finances

  • accountant: providing thorough and transparent financial records to the accountant/bookkeeper on a regular basis, and interpreting these if required

Personal Skills and Attributes

Essential skills/ experience

  • Previous management experience
  • Financial acumen – experience of understanding and creating budgets and business plans for an organisation with several different components

  • Ability to communicate positively and effectively

  • Able to prioritise tasks and spin lots of plates

  • Good at working as part of a team, able to hold people accountable in an empowering way, able to delegate responsibility and work independently

  • Happy working in a flat hierarchy where everyone’s input is equally valued

  • An ethos and outlook which is in harmony with that of Velocity’s values

Desirable

  • Interested in bicycles and the benefits they bestow

  • Driving license

This job is subject to PVG full disclosure.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and two recent referees (who will be contacted only if a job is offered) and a covering letter explaining why you feel you would be appropriate for this post to Ferga Perry at Velocity by 9am on 29th April.
[email protected] or Velocity, 1 Crown Ave, Inverness IV2 3NF
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 10th May.