Project Zero, Waltham Forest
27 young people
27 young people built bamboo bikes at our Project Zero sessions, with ratings that regularly reached 9–10/10, and grew in confidence along the way.
Read the case studyour impact
Where we work. What we’ve learned.
We teach practical making with bamboo in prisons, schools, colleges, universities and communities, and with organisations on team days. This page shows where we work and the evidence behind it.
4,000+
people trained since 2012
BBC training, customer and programme records
3,500+
bikes built
BBC programme and customer records
90%+
completion across the prison programme
BBC programme records
26%
measured confidence uplift
BBC programme evaluation, not independent
22
universities and schools have built with us
Institution records, checked 27 Aug 2026
Four areas. One craft.
The same hands-on method, with bamboo, hand tools and a jig, adapted for each setting.
01
Prisons
Accredited courses and Build to Bond, in prison workshops we design and fit out.
4 prison sites
Prison results02
Schools, colleges and universities
From taster talks to full builds, in class and on campus.
13 universities and 9 schools
Education results03
Communities and councils
Youth sessions and pilots with local authorities and community partners.
Project Zero · Camden
Community results04
Organisations
Team days where colleagues build a real bamboo frame together.
Hilton · The Macallan · Four Seasons
Team-day results
prisons
In prison workshops. Measured, not assumed.
90%+
completion across the prison programme
BBC programme records
26%
measured confidence uplift
BBC programme evaluation, not independent
14
prison staff trained as instructors
Programme records, September 2026
10+
Makers have become peer mentors
James Marr’s count, September 2026
On two OCN London Level 2 courses, in prison workshops we design and fit out. A balance bike built by men at HMP Lowdham Grange is now on public display at the National Justice Museum.
See the prison programmes“Innovative projects, such as Build to Bond, support rehabilitation and help people leave prison as better citizens, boosting the economy and keeping our streets safe.”
Lord Timpson OBE, Prisons Minister 2024–2026, in the Financial Times
“Doing the bamboo bike course has helped me understand every part of a bike and what it does, but more importantly it has helped me stay in touch with my family…”
“I also help [others] do the course by helping them complete their booklets and learn how to build a bike from start to finish.”
Makers on our prison programme, handwritten, February 2026
schools, colleges and universities
In class and on campus. Real engineering, in their hands.
13
universities have built with us
Institution records, checked 27 Aug 2026
9
schools have built with us
Institution records, checked 27 Aug 2026
Students design, cut and build with bamboo, from taster talks to full builds, taught by us or by your own staff.
See schools and community programmes“This partnership not only allows us to delve into the fascinating world of sustainable design but also provides students with a unique hands-on experience.”
Nick Mills, Head of Design, Bradfield College, in D&T Practice magazine, January 2024
communities and councils
With councils and communities. Honest about what works.
Camden Council pilot, July 2026
Lessons for supported delivery
We delivered a one-day Enterprise and Balance Bike Building pilot for Camden Council at Euston Skills Centre. Six young people were recorded and one completed the full day; the pilot produced redesign lessons for future supported delivery.
organisations
With organisations. Teams that build together.
We have led team builds for Hilton London Bankside, The Macallan and Four Seasons. Colleagues cut, shape and bind real bamboo frames in a day.
Recognition
- Investec Beyond Business 2025 selected Bamboo Bicycle Club from 148 applicants, with £24,000 and mentorship.
- The National Lottery Community Fund awarded £18,000 to Pedal Forward in 2025.
How we measure. We publish what we can evidence.
Completion, staff and peer-mentor figures come from our programme records. Every figure on this page gives its source and date.
The confidence figure comes from our own programme evaluation, not an independent one. We do not claim a measured reoffending or employment result.
Bring this to your organisation.
Tell us who you work with and what you’d like them to get out of it. We’ll suggest a programme that fits.