Building bikes, building confidence: a Project Zero impact case study

Building confidence. Creating opportunities. Changing futures.

In early 2026 we ran a Bamboo Bicycle Club workshop with Project Zero in Waltham Forest. A group of young people designed, built and assembled real bamboo bikes — and left with a good deal more than a finished frame. Here is what happened, and what we measured.

The challenge

Britain is facing a growing challenge in preparing young people for the world of work. Alan Milburn's government-commissioned review warns of a “lost generation”: almost one million young people aged 16–24 are now not in education, employment or training (NEET), and on current trends that could climb from one in eight to one in six within five years. Employers keep reporting shortages in engineering and technical skills, while many young people leave education with few chances to build confidence through real, hands-on work.

We don't think the answer is simply teaching more. It's giving young people experiences that help them discover what they're capable of.

About Project Zero

Project Zero is a National Lottery–funded youth programme in Waltham Forest, working with young people as they think about their futures — including young people in alternative provision and others for whom a traditional classroom hasn't always been the right fit. We joined it to do what we do best: put real tools in people's hands and build something together.

What we did

Working in teams, the young people built bamboo bikes from the raw material up — measuring, cutting, shaping, binding and assembling. The work demands focus, patience and problem-solving, and it only comes together when a team communicates. Nobody arrives knowing how to do it. They learn it by doing it, with each other.

How we measured it

We don't only want to feel that a day went well — we want to know. At every Project Zero session we ask young people to rate their confidence in teamwork, communication and practical skills before and after the workshop, alongside how they rated the day and what they enjoyed most. The findings below come from that survey.

The results

• 27 young people took part.
• Workshop ratings regularly reached 9–10 out of 10.
• Two in three (67%) arrived already interested in engineering and practical careers but unsure how to channel it — while others were still exploring their options.
• Participants reported increased confidence across teamwork, communication and practical skills.

The most common answer when we asked about the highlight of the day?

“Building the bike.”

The young people

Behind every number is a young person. Here are four of them, in their own words.

“Building the bike.” — Kyron

Kyron entered the programme with some of the lowest confidence in the group, rating his communication and practical confidence at just 1–2 out of 5. He finished reporting higher confidence across multiple areas, with overall enjoyment up to 7 out of 10. Completing a real engineering project gave him a way to contribute, solve problems and leave with something he had genuinely made — a reminder of how hands-on learning can reach young people who find it harder to build confidence in a classroom.

“Everything.” — Mikiyas

Mikiyas started unsure whether engineering-related careers were for him. He threw himself into the practical work anyway, improving to consistently score 4–5 out of 5 across the learning outcomes and rating the workshop 8 out of 10. Asked what he enjoyed most, his answer was simply “everything” — a sign the session widened how he sees practical careers.

“Making it.” — Kenny

Not every young person starts with low confidence. Kenny arrived already interested in engineering and kept consistently high confidence throughout, rating the day 9 out of 10 and offering constructive ideas for future sessions. Rather than simply maintaining his enthusiasm, the workshop stretched him and prompted thoughtful feedback — proof that high-achieving learners benefit from authentic, project-based work too.

“Learning how to assemble.” — Najib

Najib began unsure about engineering careers. Building a bike alongside his peers, he grew in confidence across several measured skills, rated the workshop 10 out of 10 and said he would recommend it 9 out of 10. The day gave him a low-pressure place to try practical skills and think about what might come next.

Why it matters

For us, the bicycle is only part of the story. The real outcome is confidence.

It's seeing young people solve problems together, communicate, take pride in creating something with their own hands, and leave believing they're capable of more than they thought when they arrived. Every workshop reminds us that practical, project-based learning doesn't just teach technical skills — it builds resilience, confidence and aspiration.

What's next

This was one of several Project Zero sessions, with more to come. Each one is a chance to reach more young people — and, just as importantly, to keep measuring properly so we can show what changes, not just claim it.

A huge thank you to the Project Zero team in Waltham Forest, our instructors, and every young person who took part. We can't wait for the next session.

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This workshop was delivered as part of Project Zero, a National Lottery–funded youth programme in Waltham Forest. Bamboo Bicycle Club runs its schools and youth workshops through Bamboo Mobility Project CIC (Company No. 16257348). Since 2012 we have taught more than 4,000 people across 36+ countries to build their own bamboo bikes. NEET figures: the independent review into youth unemployment led by Alan Milburn (GOV.UK, 2025).