By Jos Dyer, 3 weeks ago
Madison proudly hosted the recent Mayor’s Awards Ceremony, an inspiring
event dedicated to promoting cycling as a force for positive change in Milton Keynes.
The Ceremony, which brought together city leaders, educators, and advocates,
highlighted the strides being made to improve inclusivity and safety for
cyclists, especially women and young people.
Madison and Sportline CEO Dominic Langan summarised the event in his
welcome speech by saying "Cycling represents freedom, health,
sustainability, and joy. But for many women, those benefits remain out of reach
because of the very real barriers they face, from safety concerns to lack of
inclusive infrastructure. At Madison, we see our role as more than just a
business. We are deeply committed to using our platform to drive positive
change and work alongside the community to make Milton Keynes a beacon of inclusion
and safety for cyclists everywhere."
A key moment of the evening was the recognition of the first-ever Youth
Bicycle Mayor of Milton Keynes, a groundbreaking achievement that underscores
the city’s commitment to empowering the next generation of cycling advocates.
The Youth Bicycle Mayor was presented with an award by the Mayor of Milton
Keynes herself, symbolizing the growing focus on youth leadership in this vital
area.
Madison’s long-standing partnership with Milton Keynes Council was
another highlight of the ceremony. Thanks to Madison’s supply of bicycles and
helmets, Abbey Hill Primary School received two prestigious awards: Leading
Bikeability School and Most Improved Bikeability School. These accolades
reflect a remarkable 144% increase in Year 6 pupils completing Bikeability
training—an achievement that stands as a testament to the power of
collaboration between businesses, schools, and local authorities.
Kellie Parsons, Marketing Director at Madison and Sportline said: “We are
proud to be part of the Cycling Citizens MK Alliance and these awards are vital
for highlighting the success stories that will help us increase the share of
journeys taken by bicycle and number of women cycling in Milton Keynes. A huge
priority for the Alliance is to inspire the next generation of cyclists which
is why we support Bikeability with Ridgeback bikes and cycling equipment to get
as many children on bikes as possible. There is so much work going on behind
the scenes and we are confident that together we will make Milton Keynes a true
cycling city.”
Madison is also excited to announce its support for the upcoming MK
Mayor’s Festival of Cycling, scheduled for 23-31 March 2025. This event
promises to further celebrate and promote cycling in Milton Keynes, fostering
even greater participation and innovation across the community.
The Mayor’s Awards ceremony was more than a celebration—it was a call to
action. Madison remains committed to working alongside city leaders, educators,
and advocates to ensure that cycling in Milton Keynes becomes safer and more
inclusive for everyone.