Impact Highlights 2025/26
My bike was in the shed for several years unused. Attending the event where I work inspired me to get it fixed and get back out on the road.”
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What is The Big Bike Revival? Through community-led delivery and targeted support, The Big Bike Revival continues to help more people make cycling part of their everyday routine. The programme is underpinned by the COM-B behaviour change model, ensuring that sessions address the practical skills, environmental conditions, and personal motivations that shape whether people take up cycling and, crucially, sustain it over time. Programme objectives: • Grow the number of people who cycle. • Increase the number of short local journeys made by bike. • Improve perception of cycling safety and tackle other barriers, by offering wide access to supported cycling activities, safety training and cycle maintenance support.
Opportunity to cycle
Fix
Capability to cycle
Learn
Motivation to cycle
Ride
Cycling behaviour
As I don’t have my own bike due to lack of finance, attending gave me an opportunity to get on a bike and ride again.”
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Reaching those who need it most The Big Bike Revival is delivered through a network of delivery partners who are rooted in communities and addressing the local need and challenges. The knowledge and expertise of partners ensures the programme successfully reaches the target audiences who are: z Not cycling regularly z On low incomes z Residing in deprived areas z People from ethnic minority communities z LGBTQ+ people z Women z Not in work z Not meeting physical activity guidelines z Not cycling because of perceived barriers
When my bike was broken and I couldn’t use it, it made me very anxious and affected my mental health. The free repair made a real difference as riding my bike makes me feel relaxed and less anxious. I’m not able to use a bicycle because of mobility issues but on the inclusive bike ride I can use a tricycle with straps for my feet. It’s a great feeling to get out with others and go round the park.”
I attended multiple Big Bike Revival events to build confidence and improve my cycling skills. Each session boosted my fitness, knowledge, and enjoyment, making cycling easier, safer, and more part of my lifestyle.”
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The Big Bike Revival 2025-2026 delivery In the 2025-26 delivery period, local partners across England helped people fix their bikes, develop cycling and maintenance skills, take part in guided rides, and address the personal barriers that had previously kept them from cycling. Taking part in the Big Bike Revival increased how often participants cycled for everyday journeys and improved their overall attitudes towards cycling. Many reported greater confidence on a bike, a stronger sense of safety on the road, and improvements in both their physical and mental wellbeing. Increased cycling also delivered wider benefits, generating savings for individuals and the wider economy through better population health, reduced traffic congestion, and lower levels of air pollution.
£994,901 amount distributed
3,245 events
96,642 individuals reached
295
community groups
365
grants
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Fahad: Cycling used to scare him but now he enjoys it For years, Fahad carried the weight of a childhood memory that made cycling feel impossible. A bad experience as a child had left a lasting impression. Fear stayed in my heart for years… I always felt that cycling was something ‘other people’ could do.” Fahad decided he had waited long enough. He signed up for a Learn to Ride event and within an hour, he was cycling. I was genuinely happy and proud to see that I could cycle. It felt like a personal achievement, especially at 22. Instead of fear, I now associate cycling with independence and enjoyment.” Fahad has since begun cycling to the shops and to visit friends, replacing journeys he would previously have made on foot or by bus. Commuting to work by bike is his next goal and with the cost of living continuing to bite, swapping bus fares for bike rides has brought a welcome financial benefit too. Previously, I would have walked or taken the bus even for short distances… Saving money is important to me right now, especially with the rising cost of living.” For Fahad, the value of cycling now extends well beyond getting from one place to another. Cycling makes me feel free and independent. It gives me a sense of achievement every time I ride, because I never thought I would learn. I feel happier, calmer, and more relaxed after a ride. It has become something I really enjoy, rather than something that scares me.”
CASE STUDY
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Increases in cycling
42,575 93,230
people increased their levels of cycling
additional cycling trips were made as a result of the programme
64%
of the additional cycle trips replaced car journeys
I’d been wanting to get back into cycling and even from just one session, it made a real difference. I got support to sort out my bike, felt more confident riding again, and it gave me the push I needed to start cycling more regularly to work again.”
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Increasing safety and the feel good factor Improved physical and mental wellbeing
90%
reported feeling happier thanks to attending their Big Bike Revival activity, demonstrating a direct link to improved mental wellbeing.
64%
reported that their physical wellbeing had been improved as they increased their physical activity levels.
Safety and confidence
70%
feel safer when cycling
53%
feel more confident about cycling
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Matt: Getting confident and a double thumbs up from a toddler Matt was on the lookout for activities he could share with his 15−month−old son. Cycling was an obvious contender, but the barriers, he admits, had been stacking up. A lack of confidence, practical knowledge, and equipment were huge obstacles for me.” When he heard about a Big Bike Revival event designed specifically for riding with young children, he decided to give it a go. As he puts it, “participating in The Big Bike Revival has been really transformational.” The session gave him the chance to try cycling with a child’s bike seat in a safe, low-stakes environment, guided by welcoming staff with first-hand experience. My son and I both thoroughly enjoyed the experience – he gave a double thumbs-up during the ride, which was wonderful to see.” That session proved to be a turning point. Matt dug his bike out from the back of the shed, picked up a second-hand bike seat (the same model he’d tried on the day), and has been out riding with his son ever since. As a relatively new dad, it’s great to find an activity we both enjoy and can do together – one that helps foster a love of being outdoors, keeping active, and exploring the local area on two wheels.”
CASE STUDY
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Jane:* Fixing her blind spot when it comes to bike maintenance After moving to a new area where a bike seemed genuinely useful, money was tight, so Jane picked up a second-hand bike on Facebook Marketplace. It was making an odd noise, and she wanted someone to check it over before relying on it. There were other options to getting the bike serviced, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth spending more money to fix a £50 bike. They made adjustments on it there and then.” By joining a maintenance session, Jane can now check the chain, take the wheels off, adjust the gear cabling, keep the bike oiled, and knows where to tighten bolts — skills that have noticeably reduced her anxiety about being stranded with a breakdown. It’s funny that it’s taken until my 40s to be able to address things like gear adjustment. I have skills to service a car and plumb in a toilet but had a blind spot with bikes.” Having not ridden regularly for eleven years, the experience has reawakened something she hadn’t expected. I feel like a little kid again. I had forgotten the feeling of freewheeling down a hill.”
CASE STUDY
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Building skills, knowledge and confidence Three months after taking part in The Big Bike Revival programme, participants also reported the following improvements in their skills and knowledge. The Big Bike Revival activities were not designed to target every skill and participants did not take part in all of the activities on offer. This helps to explain why the observed changes were relatively modest.
34%
Improved knowledge of bike maintenance
26%
Improved my bike repair skills
34%
Improved my cycling skills
33%
Improved knowledge of local cycling routes
35%
Know where to get my bike fixed
29%
Met new people to cycle with
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Value for money
£6.97-£17.46 of benefits were created for every £1 spent
£21.9m-£54.2m generated in benefits through health infrastructure savings and the environment
Since having my cycle repaired, I have really found a love for bikes. My car is now in second place.” I can ride into town to go to the bank without paying for parking or worrying about how long I have left on the meter.”
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Asim: How cycling offered respite from caring Asim works full-time and is also the primary carer for his mother. With so much on his shoulders, he had been looking for an activity that could support his mental wellbeing and offer some space to “de-stress”. He hadn’t cycled since childhood, but joining a led ride gave Asim the comfort and safety he needed to start again. The timing mattered. It was a great release, I felt so free. For me 2024 was rough – I lost my Dad and my Mum’s condition got worse all within 2 months of each other, but this really helped me.” Within two months, his confidence had grown noticeably, and his view of cycling shifted along with it. I always watched the Tour de France and thought how gruelling that competition is, how hard it must be. But I didn’t realise until I started cycling how liberating it is.” Asim now cycles a couple of times a week, often in the park, where being out in nature has become part of the appeal. The biggest reward is the headspace each ride gives him. It makes me feel free, just really liberating, like I haven’t got a care in the world. My problems just disappear for that time – it’s just me and the road. It’s a great stress relief. It gives me a high and it’s a great workout. It really is a release from the pressure of caring for my Mum.”
CASE STUDY
I wasn’t able to cycle and I tried to learn by myself but failed. Attending the event made it easier to obtain the skill and helped me to break my barriers.”
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Dontae: choosing a bike over a car When Dontae and his wife relocated to the UK from the United States, the cost of settling in was already steep, and buying a car felt like an expense they simply couldn’t justify. It cost a lot for me to get here, so it was great to have that financial burden removed,” he explains. He inherited an old bike from his father-in-law, but it needed substantial work before it was roadworthy. Then he came across a Big Bike Revival event advertised on a local Facebook group. A mechanic replaced the chain, fitted a new tyre, and overhauled both sets of brakes. He also talked him through the essentials: gear shifting, what to carry in a tool kit, and how to change an inner tube. I was surprised, coming from the States, that this was a free service.” The couple have since invested in helmets and cycling gear and now cycle everywhere: for shopping, errands and exploring the forest near their home. It makes me feel free and happy. It’s a great way to get moderate exercise, get out of the house and share an experience in nature.”
CASE STUDY
The led rides opened up a whole new world. The fresh air, the company, the exercise — it’s amazing. Now I cycle three times a week and feel like I have the most supportive community around me!”
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Liberty: how cycling helped her overcome her gambling addiction Liberty had never cycled before, and it wasn’t until her children left for university that she finally decided to give it a try. After hearing about a Big Bike Revival event through one of her local clubs, she signed up. So, I went along, and we started with the basics. I’d never cycled before, not at all, but I really wanted to learn.” From those wobbly first lessons, Liberty steadily progressed, moving from Stage 1 to Stage 2 under the patient guidance of her instructor. “Ann-Marie was amazing,” she says. She was strict, but in a really good way. She taught everything perfectly. I wouldn’t have had the courage to go out on the road if it weren’t for her.” As her confidence grew, she began joining group rides around the city and quickly fell in love with it. The led rides opened up a whole new world. The fresh air, the company, the exercise – it’s amazing. Now I cycle three times a week and feel like I have the most supportive community around me!” But cycling gave her more than just a new hobby; it helped her turn away from something far more addictive. I used to gamble a lot. Every day, in fact. But now I’ve got something else to focus on, something positive.” For Liberty, it wasn’t simply a distraction. It was a release. It clears your head. It gave me the same kind of feeling gambling did, but in a healthy way. You come back from a ride feeling like you’ve achieved something.”
CASE STUDY
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Who took part Sex
Ethnicity
57% women
42% men
Age
35%
belonged to an ethnic minority group
Disability
82%
of people were aged 18–64
9%
reported having a disability
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Who took part Sexual orientation
Employment
9%
13%
identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, other/ in another way
were unemployed
Index of multiple deprivation 18% resided in the 10% most deprived areas, while 41% resided in the 30% most deprived areas
Decile 1
18%
Decile 2
13%
Decile 3
11%
Decile 4
11%
Decile 5
9%
Decile 6
9%
Decile 7
7%
Decile 8
9%
Decile 9
7%
Decile 10
6%
My bike was gathering dust and needed a new gear cable. Getting it fixed has given me another option other than my car.”
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Summary The programme continues to have a meaningful and measurable impact on local communities. By targeting those who are least likely to cycle, the programme not only increases the number of people taking up cycling but also helps shift perceptions, making cycling feel more accessible, safer, and more achievable for everyday use. These outcomes highlight the ongoing value of the programme in driving sustainable behaviour change and promoting active travel across diverse communities.
I have gained a bucket of confidence…I am grateful for people like Rachel who have been so supportive and have encouraged me to get on a bike after 10 years. I now cycle frequently, but it’s not enough.” I feel more confident going further now, when I’d otherwise have taken the bus. I cycle into town instead, which saves me £6 on the bus.” I can now go twice a week for weekly shopping and carry home groceries on the bike.”
Contact us: Email: bigbikerevival@cyclinguk.org Want to see more? Visit bigbikerevival.org.uk or scan the QR code to explore how The Big Bike Revival is changing lives across the country–real stories, national data, and the difference your support makes. Cycling UK is a trading name of Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no: 25185. Registered as a charity in England and Wales charity no: 1147607 and in Scotland charity no: SC042541. Registered office: Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX.