Celebrating 10 years of The Big Bike Revival in Parliament
On Monday (9 June), Cycling UK’s celebration 10 years of The Big Bike Revival (BBR) managed to brighten even the greyest of overcast evening London sky.
We marked this major milestone with a reception at the Houses of Parliament. The Big Bike Revival is our flagship behaviour change programme. It has helped more than half a million people start or return to cycling and continues to go from strength to strength.
Held in the elegant Terrace Pavilion, overlooking the Thames, the reception brought together the passionate community that has made BBR such a success – grassroots delivery partners, Real Yellow Jersey award winners, MPs, peers and cycling sector champions – to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and look forward to what’s still to come.
A decade of impact
Since its launch in 2015, BBR has been a cornerstone of Cycling UK’s mission to enable more people to discover the joy and freedom of cycling. Delivered by more than 300 local organisations and community groups across England, the programme has reached 628,000 adults, supported over 1,000 grassroots organisations, and enabled 24 million new cycling trips.
This success hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of tireless work from delivery partners in every region: fixing bikes, running led rides, teaching skills, and creating welcoming spaces for people to build confidence while cycling.
As our Chief Executive, Sarah Mitchell, said in her speech on the night: Our mission at Cycling UK – happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling. BBR makes this real for so many more people. It is focused on those people we don’t often see cycling, and on breaking down barriers like the lack of skills, safety concerns, and affordability.”
An evening of celebration
Guests began arriving just before 7pm, making their way through Parliament’s grand and storied corridors before stepping into the bright and airy glass-fronted Pavilion looking onto the Thames. After dropping coats and grabbing a drink, there was time for informal chats and introductions before speeches kicked off around 7.15pm.
We were very pleased to be joined by a host of wonderful speakers, including the Right Honourable Heidi Alexander MP, the Secretary of State for Transport.
Reflecting on her own personal journey, she shared: “Cycling has transformed my own life – including when I was in my 20s and started cycling to work in London because I couldn't afford a travel card. There’s no better investment than investment in cycling – in terms of health, wellbeing and growth.”
Her remarks set a compelling tone for the evening, especially coming at the start of Bike Week and just days ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review. It was a timely reminder to ministers, MPs and peers of the transformative power of cycling – and the urgent need for increased and sustained investment in active travel.
We also heard encouraging speeches from Paul Kohler MP, the Liberal Democrats Transport Spokesperson, and Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner. Both emphasised the value of Cycling UK’s work and the transformational effect that cycling can have on people’s lives.
We are very pleased to have the support of both and particularly encouraged to hear cross-party support from the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party for cycling and for the Big Bike Revival.
Real stories, real change
One of the most inspiring moments came from one of our Real Yellow Jersey winners, Khadija Patel from Krimmz Cycling Club, who shared her journey into cycling and the role her local BBR project played in changing her life.
It was a powerful reminder that behind the statistics are thousands of real people, each with their own story of discovery, resilience and, importantly, new-found freedom.
After the speeches, guests had the chance to mingle, chat and eat the delicious canapes – with BBR delivery partners, Real Yellow Jersey winners proudly flying the flag for the communities and places they represent.
From Hull to Hastings, Sheffield to Southampton, they brought a vital perspective to the room: the on-the-ground experience of enabling change, often with few resources but boundless enthusiasm.
Looking ahead
The Big Bike Revival’s story doesn’t end here. As we look to the next decade, we know we face new challenges: climate pressures, health inequalities, transport barriers. But we also have strong and growing evidence that community-led cycling initiatives are a smart solution.
Whether it’s enabling someone to ride to work for the first time, helping a parent feel safe cycling with their kids, or giving an older adult the confidence to return to the saddle, BBR has consistently shown what’s possible when we invest in people.
This week’s Comprehensive Spending Review set out a vision to support the priorities of working people, including improved health and economic growth – both of which are supported by increased rates of active travel.
In the days ahead, Cycling UK will be examining what the review’s allocations mean in practice for cycling investment. We remain hopeful that the value of programmes like BBR will be matched by the long-term funding they need to thrive.
A heartfelt thank you
We want to thank everyone who made this evening so special. To our Real Yellow Jersey award winners: your stories are the heart of The Big Bike Revival. To our delivery partners: your work, day in, day out is what makes this programme thrive.
To our parliamentary guests and supporters: your continued belief in the power of cycling gives us the energy to keep going, with a particular thanks to Andy McNae MP for sponsoring this event.
And to everyone who’s ever fixed a bike, cheered on a nervous new rider, or simply made someone feel welcome at a BBR event: thank you. You are transforming lives every day, one ride at a time.
Finally, a huge congratulations goes to our organising team, including Amy Everard, Andy Cremin, Eleanor Goldberg Mitchell (and many others!) for putting together a great event – you’ve set the bar very high for future Cycling UK events.
