Year of impact: how our behaviour change programmes are changing lives
In 2025, more than 100,000 people were reached through our seven behaviour change programmes. This isn’t just a number. It represents tens of thousands of individual stories of increased confidence, new habits formed, and more people choosing active, sustainable ways to travel.
Read on for headline results from 2025, plus real-life stories from each programme, with links to explore further.
The Big Bike Revival
The Big Bike Revival, funded by Active Travel England, helps adults get back into cycling through free community events that include fixing cycles, building skills and joining rides. 2025 was The Big Bike Revival’s 10th birthday and a standout year, supported by hundreds of local delivery partners.
Bibiane Turner: The Real Yellow Jersey winner who found healing through cycling
After losing her husband of 46 years, Bibiane Turner felt isolated and unsure about trying new things. Encouraged by her daughter, she started cycling again and stumbled across a free basic cycle repair session run through The Big Bike Revival by delivery partner Preston Pedals.
From learning simple checks to joining social rides, cycling became a way to rebuild confidence, make connections and feel better day to day. In recognition of the impact cycling has had in her life, Bibiane was awarded a Real Yellow Jersey, an award that marks The Big Bike Revival’s anniversary by celebrating everyday people using cycling to overcome challenges and create positive change in their communities.
I just loved the feeling of fresh air on my face … now I combine a ride with a shopping trip
Community Cycle Clubs
Community Cycle Clubs, funded by Sport England, support local groups to run welcoming, regular rides, helping more people cycle in a way that fits their lives, confidence and communities.
Lighting the way with Portsmouth Interaction
Portsmouth Interaction Community Cycle Club supports adults living with long-term mental health conditions to build confidence, routine and friendships through cycling.
For many participants, the club offers far more than a chance to ride. It provides a safe and supportive space, with time outdoors, shared purpose and a group that helps people feel connected again.
The group is supportive and fun without judgement … Three years on, I am riding most days … The group and cycling saved me
In October, several Community Cycle Clubs, including Portsmouth Interaction, took part in or organised their own glow rides as part of our ‘My Ride. Our Right’ campaign.
Find out more
Connecting Communities
Connecting Communities helps people across Scotland build confidence to walk, wheel and cycle. By working alongside trusted grassroots organisations and tailoring activity to what communities need, from access to cycles and kit to friendly group sessions and skills support, the programme is helping people improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and choose active travel more often.
Scott’s story: “I’ve been to dark places – and I rode back”
Scott’s journey shows what the right support can unlock. After years of declining health, worsening mental wellbeing and isolation, cycling became a turning point. First through rebuilding an electric bike from a discarded frame, and later through finding community in Connecting Communities activity in Aberdeen.
Now he rides daily, feels far less isolated, and plans to train as a Cycling UK ride leader so he can help others feel the same benefits.
Connecting Communities is primarily funded by six Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland, through the Transport Scotland People and Places programme. We’re grateful for their support, and that of our other local funders that make our life-changing work possible.
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Cycle Access Fund
The Cycle Access Fund provides grants to organisations helping people across Scotland who are least likely to have access to a cycle. The funding supports practical projects that remove barriers, from buying cycles and equipment to setting up inclusive activities, so more people can benefit from cycling and active travel in ways that work for them.
How Think Circus transformed their outreach
With support from the Cycle Access Fund, Think Circus in Leith now uses a custom cargo bike to transport equipment and deliver inclusive circus workshops across Edinburgh in a more sustainable, community-driven way. The bike was specially designed to carry unusual kit, including up to 50 full-size hula hoops. That makes it easier to reach parks, traffic-restricted areas and neighbourhood spaces where car access and parking can be difficult.
As well as cutting costs and reducing reliance on car travel, the cargo bike has become part of the charity’s public presence, sparking conversations, increasing visibility and helping Think Circus bring playful, confidence-building sessions directly into the heart of communities.
The Cycle Access Fund is funded by four Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland, through the Transport Scotland People and Places programme. We’re grateful for their support.
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Inclusive Cycling Experience
The Inclusive Cycling Experience (ICE), funded by The Motability Foundation, helps disabled people access the benefits of cycling by removing the barriers that too often get in the way. Through inclusive cycling hubs, access to non-standard cycles and accessories, and welcoming staff-led sessions, ICE supports people to build skills and confidence and experience cycling in a way that works for them.
In 2025, ICE hit a major milestone with the launch of Cycling UK’s Inclusive Cycling Experience report at an event in Manchester, sharing new evidence on what helps make cycling accessible for all. The findings highlight the vital role inclusive cycling hubs play, and how non-standard cycle loans can make cycling a realistic option for people who once thought it was out of reach.
ICE also received national recognition, winning the Transportation Education and Advocacy Award at the CiTTi Awards, celebrating our commitment to inclusive and sustainable mobility through innovative outreach and community engagement.
How inclusive cycling gave two women independence and confidence
For Alison and Lesley in Greater Manchester, the Inclusive Cycling Experience offered a way to regain independence and rebuild confidence through cycling on their own terms.
After Alison’s husband died, she lost her tandem pilot and wanted to cycle solo. Balance challenges and long-term tennis elbow meant she needed a trike with butterfly handlebars. With adapted cycles often costly, ICE gave her the chance to try options first. With support from Cycling UK staff, she was matched with a setup that helped her get further afield for exercise and everyday journeys.
For Lesley, hip surgery had left her unable to cycle for almost three years. Through ICE activity at Stretford Public Hall, she tried different e-cycles and found the stability and comfort she needed to get moving again, with flexible loans that helped her build confidence in real-world conditions close to home.
It gave me the stability I needed … and most importantly, gave me the confidence and motivation to get moving again
Alison
Being able to get out and about … is about reconnecting with the world around me and building confidence along the way
Lesley
Making cycling e-asier
Our e-cycle loan programmes help people try an electric cycle for free for a month, with support and community taster sessions. The aim is simple: make active travel feel possible, practical and enjoyable, especially for people who might not otherwise have the confidence or opportunity.
Launched in May 2022 and originally funded by Active Travel England, Making cycling e-asier began in four pilot regions: Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and Burton-on-Trent, and Luton and Dunstable.
From 1 July 2024, funding was devolved to Local Authorities. In Luton and Dunstable, the programme continues under the same name, led by Luton Borough Council. In Greater Manchester, it has rebranded as Borrow an e-bike, funded by Transport for Greater Manchester.
Making cycling e-asier (Luton & Dunstable)
In 2025, we secured funding to continue the programme through 2026, expanding delivery with a second hub at Luton and Dunstable Hospital and ongoing work at Inspire: Luton Sports Village.
The team worked closely with community partners including Somali Voices Enabled, Youthscape and Signposts, supporting people who face barriers to being active.
How an e-bike helped Anna in Luton take control of her wellbeing
When Anna tried a free e-bike loan through Making cycling e-asier, she didn’t expect it to have such a lasting impact. The e-cycle quickly became more than a new way to travel. It boosted her confidence, supported her physical and mental wellbeing, and gave her a sense of freedom in everyday life.
It was incredibly helpful for my wellbeing and a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for travel
After a second loan, Anna felt even more certain that e-cycling could work for her long term. With support from the team, she explored options like leasing and access schemes, helping make e-cycling feel possible, even on a tight budget.
Borrow an e-bike (Greater Manchester)
Following completion of the national trial, the programme will continue through 2026 with Transport for Greater Manchester funding, expanding to a second hub at the What If? Ideas Café in Stockport alongside Stretford Public Hall.
In 2025, the team supported events with borough councils, universities and NHS trusts, and worked with local partners, including women-focused projects, to help people progress in their cycling journey.
Andrew’s story
After losing his driving licence, Andrew already cycled most days but wasn’t ready to commit to buying an e-bike. Borrow an e-bike let him try one for a month. He ended up replacing both car and public transport trips, finding the e-cycle quicker and less exhausting on hills.
I can be in Manchester faster than by bus or car
Find out more
Play Together on Pedals
In Glasgow and Lanarkshire, Play Together on Pedals helps early years settings give children the chance to learn cycle skills through fun, structured sessions that build confidence step by step.
With support for equipment, staff training and delivery, the programme makes it easier for nurseries and family centres to embed cycling into everyday play and learning, helping more children and families feel able to take part.
Bike lending at Kildrum gives every child the chance to ride
At Kildrum Family Learning Centre, staff have embraced Play Together on Pedals as a way of giving children the skills, confidence and joy that come with learning to ride. With our support, the nursery has expanded its programme by buying two fleets of lightweight bikes, one for sessions and one to lend out to families so children can keep practising at home.
The change has made the transition from balance to pedal bikes smoother and less daunting, especially for families who may not otherwise have access to suitable cycles. Staff have also seen wider benefits, with children developing resilience, listening skills and early road safety awareness through routines like the helmet wobble test.
With training for staff and practical support to run a sustainable lending scheme, Play Together on Pedals is helping children and families build cycling confidence that lasts.
Play Together on Pedals is currently delivered in:
- Glasgow: funded by Glasgow City Council through the People and Places fund.
- North and South Lanarkshire: funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) through the People and Places fund.
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Ride with us
Cycling UK is a charity. With the right funding and support, we can keep delivering projects like these in communities across the UK, helping more people find the confidence to cycle and making active travel a realistic option for everyday life.
