Bike rescue campaign aims to get people in the saddle

The Big Bike Revival will offer everything from puncture repair workshops, basic bike maintenance and cycle health checks

The Big Bike Revival will offer everything from puncture repair workshops, basic bike maintenance and cycle health checks

Cycling UK is once more running its Big Bike Revival across England thanks to a further £1m funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

The six-week campaign, launched today, will offer free cycle checks, maintenance advice and tips on how to get cycling. Bike and accessory supplier, Halfords, community groups and bike recycling centres across the country are also partners in the campaign. The project seeks to encourage and inspire people to get on their bikes again, or cycle for the first time.

Last year’s event encouraged nearly 25,000 people to take cycling after, said Cycling UK. The charity hopes to increase that figure this year.

Hundreds of free events will take place across the country, offering everything from puncture repair workshops, basic bike maintenance and led rides to cycle health checks, cycle skills sessions and route planning.

Cycling UK’s head of development for England, Laura Hales, says: “Through the Big Bike Revival we are looking forward to bringing the joy of cycling back to the community. It is a fun and inclusive activity, great for the environment and for your health.

“This year we hope to build on our previous success to encourage people to get back on their bikes and experience the benefits of cycling first hand.

“In 2016, Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival reached 24,596 beneficiaries across England – nearly half of them female, 42% of them non-regular cyclists and 41% from deprived areas. There were 648 events and 200 Ride Leaders were trained.”

Cycling UK has also been awarded £450,000 by the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, to run Big Bike Revival in Scotland for the second year running. The Scottish Government has a vision to see 10% of everyday journeys by cycle by 2020.

Meet the Cycling UK team and find out more about the Big Bike Revival at Cycle City Active City