ABOUT US
Our History
In May 2006, engineers and lifelong cyclists Geoff Fletcher and David Porter formed Trailnet as a partnership to promote cycling for all ages and abilities. Both Geoff and David recognised the benefits that cycling confers but also appreciated that many people faced barriers to using cycling for transport or leisure. The overarching goal of Trailnet was to help people overcome those barriers by providing the advice and practical support they required.
Trailnet’s first action was to organise ‘Havoc on the Hill’, a day of cycling events at Langdon Hills Country Park, which included MTB races, a Family Ride, and even a Hill Climb. The success of this event led to it becoming an annual fixture for the next six years.
Later the same year, we were commissioned to produce a report on cycle routes around Basildon for the local NHS, who were keen on encouraging staff and patients to use bikes to access their sites. David already had experience on route development from his time working with Sustrans, and both he and Geoff had a wealth of knowledge of local cycle routes, so this commission was an ideal fit for their skillset.
Trailnet continued as a partnership through 2007, initially focusing on developing the Havoc on the Hill event, but it was Chelmsford’s hosting of the 21st World Scout Jamboree in summer of that year that was to provide the impetus to set Trailnet on its current course. With 40,000 international Scouts descending on Hylands Park, this was a major event for the area, and it was one of the Spanish groups that contacted Herongate Cycles to ask about hiring 20 bikes for the duration. We had been discussing the viability of hiring bikes from Thorndon Country Park and this was the perfect opportunity to trial the service, so we ordered our first bikes.
…But in January 2008 we took the step of becoming a limited company, although we never to actually trade as such because we decided to convert to the relatively new Community Interest Company (CIC) status.
We therefore continued with the partnership arrangement, whilst discussing how to develop the organisation, and in the summer of 2008, two such opportunities arose. We had been considering running a cycle hire operation from Thorndon Country Park.
Cycle hire
Health rides
Conversion to CIC
Developed health ride programme
Meet the Team
Director
In May 2006, engineers and lifelong cyclists Geoff Fletcher and David Porter formed Trailnet as a partnership to promote cycling for all ages and abilities. Both Geoff and David recognised the benefits that cycling confers but also appreciated that many people faced barriers to using cycling for transport or leisure. The overarching goal of Trailnet was to help people overcome those barriers by providing the advice and practical support they required.
Trailnet’s first action was to organise ‘Havoc on the Hill’, a day of cycling events at Langdon Hills Country Park, which included MTB races, a Family Ride, and even a Hill Climb. The success of this event led to it becoming an annual fixture for the next six years.
Later the same year, we were commissioned to produce a report on cycle routes around Basildon for the local NHS, who were keen on encouraging staff and patients to use bikes to access their sites. David already had experience on route development from his time working with Sustrans, and both he and Geoff had a wealth of knowledge of local cycle routes, so this commission was an ideal fit for their skillset.
Director
David is originally from the Detroit area but has been living in Europe since 1995 in various locations in Germany, UK, and France. David brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience as founder, CEO and Chairman of several diverse businesses.
Having been active his entire life in sports, David has a competitive history that includes numerous marathons and Ironman competitions.
David was part of a team with Geoff and two others that completed the 3,052-mile Race Across America in 2005. He has also completed several other international races, including five finishes of the Trans-Alp mountain bike race. David also enjoys the mountains, having summited more than ten 4,000m peaks.
Director
John had a working career in engineering design and manufacture from apprentice to director with various roles and companies in between.
Always keen on active sports and fitness, John joined Trailnet as a rider in January 2014 and found the perfect environment to maintain an active and sociable outdoor lifestyle within an organisation which caters for all age groups and abilities.
John brings his business experience to his role as Trailnet director and produces the quarterly Health Rider newsletter.
Office Manager
Bernadette joined Trailnet in July 2011 and her role is Office Manager and PA to the Directors. She has a long career as a personal secretary, bringing experience gained in the legal and banking industries to Trailnet.
Bernadette has also undertaken various voluntary roles in her spare time, including cycling proficiency and assistant leader with her local group of Beavers Scouts.
Bernadette is passionate about spreading awareness of inclusive cycling, enabling all ages and abilities to enjoy activity in outdoor spaces. She has an enhanced DBS clearance.
Cycle Centre Manager
Geoff joined Trailnet in 2018 after 35 years in product design and mechanical engineering. He has a BSc in Computer Aided Product Design.
Geoff has had a lifelong interest in cycling and particularly enjoys cycle touring, bikepacking and riding vintage bikes. He has a long-time member of CTC and The Veteran Cycle Club. One of his most memorable cycling experiences was his 2012 ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Geoff enjoys planning routes and leading rides and finds leading our inclusive group rides to be especially rewarding. He also enjoys teaching bike mechanics to beginners, giving them the confidence to ride further.
Geoff has a Cytech Technical 1 bike mechanics qualification, is a Cycling UK qualified MTB trail leader, is First Aid trained, and has Enhanced DBS clearance.
Cycle Instructor
Jane joined us in April 2010 after working as a primary school teaching assistant, where she gained experience of working with children with a range of learning and behavioural difficulties. She now leads our child and adult cycle training programmes.
Jane has a broad sporting background that includes swimming, cycling, aerobics, Pilates, dance and triathlon. She holds a number of relevant qualifications including British Cycling Ride Leader, CTC Trail Leader, Cytech level 1, and Bikeability Instructor, and has enhanced DBS clearance and a current First Aid certificate.
Becontree Cycle Centre Manager
John is a lifelong resident of Barking & Dagenham who completed a Cytech Cycle Mechanic training course with Trailnet in 2013.
He was ideally placed to manage our ReSpoke community cycle project on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking until the area was redeveloped and we moved to a new site in Becontree in 2017.
Since 2018, John has also been helping to run our Cycle 4 All inclusive cycling programme in Mayesbrook Park.
Cycle 4 All
Steve has been running our Cycle 4 All programme at Mayesbrook Park, Barking since 2017, providing the opportunity for those with a range of disabilities to ride in a safe, supportive environment.
He has been a National Standards Instructor since 2012, with over 7,000 hours delivered, teaching all levels of Bikeability in addition to one-to-one tuition for complete beginners to experienced riders.
More recently Steve added “Safe Urban Driving” on-road modules within the Professional Drivers CPC and FORS accreditation.
Awards & Achievements
2023
Essex Activity Awards
Winner
Health & Wellbeing category
2021
Stars of Brentwood Award
Winner
2015
Active Essex Sports Awards
Winner
Changing Lives Through Sport & Physical Activity
2014
London Cycling Awards
Winner
Grassroots Project of the Year
2014
Keep Britain Tidy Network Awards
Winner
Waste Less, Live More Award
Policies & Procedures
The safety and well-being of our service users, staff and volunteers is paramount, as evidenced by our comprehensive policies and procedures, including:
- Activity-specific risk assessments
- Operating procedures for all activities
- Standard policies (Health & Safety; Safeguarding; Safer Recruitment; Equality; Data Protection; Complaints; and Behaviour)
Copies of any of these are available on request.
Staff and volunteers are also subject to enhanced DBS checks.
Partners
Trailnet works with partners across the health and wellbeing spectrum, from local authorities to small service user groups.
Local Authorities & Public Health
- Basildon & Brentwood Health Alliance
- Brentwood Borough Council
- East London Waste Authority
- Essex County Council
- London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
- London Borough of Havering
Sports Organisations
- Active Essex
- British Cycling
- Cycling UK
Charities & Community Groups
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Thurrock & Brentwood Mind
- Thurrock Mencap
Other Clubs & Organisations
- Shaftesbury Cycling Club
- Sustrans
