Cycling UK launches the Big Bike Revival in England and Scotland
Partnered by Halfords, community groups and bike recycling centres, the project aims to encourage and inspire thousands of people to get on their bikes again or cycle for the first time.
Last year, Cycling UK saw a huge increase in the number of people who took up cycling as a result of the Big Bike Revival after reaching nearly 25,000 beneficiaries in England and 8,000 beneficiaries in Scotland. The charity hopes to increase those figures this year.
Hundreds of Big Bike Revival events will again take place across England and Scotland from 29 April - 11 June, offering everything from puncture repair workshops, basic bike maintenance and led rides to cycle health checks, cycle skills sessions and route planning – all of them free to access.
In addition, community cycle clubs will be set up across the country, offering training and support for volunteers to develop their own social cycling activities and rides in local communities.
The Department for Transport has supported the Big Bike Revival in England with a £1m investment. Cycling UK is delighted to have been awarded £450,000 by the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, to run Big Bike Revival in Scotland.
Laura Hales, Cycling UK’s Head of Development for England, said:
“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.”
With hundreds of events planned over the next six weeks and centres spread across every local authority area in England and Scotland, the Big Bike Revival aims to bring thousands more bikes back into use.
Cycling UK’s Head of Development Scotland, Suzanne Forup said:
“The success of the Big Bike Revival Scotland in autumn 2016 saw over 1,400 bikes revived and given a new lease of life, with their owners rekindling their love of their bikes and cycling for thousands of everyday trips.
“This year we’re looking forward to working with community organisations, volunteer-led groups, local businesses and charities to build on this success and inspire even more people to enjoy a bike ride to get from A to B.”
To find Big Bike Revival events near you, visit www.bigbikerevival.org.uk
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
- To find an event or a Big Bike Revival centre near you, visit: www.bigbikerevival.org.uk
- In summer 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.
- In autumn 2016, Cycling UK's Big Bike Revival reached 7,383 beneficiaries across Scotland - 50% of them were female, 49% of them non-regular cyclists and 25% from deprived areas. There were over 500 events and 136 ride leaders were trained.
- The Big Bike Revival has won the following past awards: Chartered Institute of Marketing – Best Third Sector Campaign; Northern Digital Marketing Award – Best Public Sector Campaign; Smarter Travel Award – Best Marketing Campaign; Guardian Sustainable Business Awards – Runner-up; Cycle Planning Awards – Best Behaviour Change Campaign.
Press contact information
Cycling UK Press Office
Email: publicity@cyclinguk.org
Telephone: 0844-736-8453
