10-year impact report 2016 – 2026
10-year impact report
Executive summary
Creating opportunities through community cycling For the past decade, Cycling UK’s Community Cycle Clubs programme has supported local organisations to use cycling as a tool for health, wellbeing and community connection. Since 2016, the programme has delivered an extensive programme of free and accessible cycling opportunities within communities throughout England. The programme works with some of those most underrepresented in cycling including: women, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, minority ethnic communities, older adults and people living with long-term health conditions. By combining local knowledge with practical support, training, equipment and development opportunities, Community Cycle Clubs have enabled organisations to create welcoming environments where people can build confidence, become more active and develop lasting social connections. Ten years on, the programme continues to demonstrate the power of community-led cycling to create healthier people, stronger organisations and more connected communities.
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Over the last 10 years:
195 Community Cycle Clubs supported
11,556
94,367
participants engaged
attendances recorded
13,371
£689,056
sessions delivered
grant funding invested since 2020
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The Community Cycle Clubs offer
Reaching communities
Supporting communities through cycling
Engaging communities who are underrepresented in cycling
Community Cycle Clubs work with local organisations to create free and accessible cycling opportunities that improve health, wellbeing and community connection. By combining funding, training and ongoing support, the programme helps organisations develop sustainable cycling activities that respond to local need.
Community Cycle Clubs have successfully engaged people from groups who are often less likely to participate in cycling, helping to make cycling more accessible and inclusive.
10-year impact report
Across the programme:
51%
By working with trusted local organisations already embedded within their communities, the programme has successfully reached people who are often excluded from traditional cycling opportunities.
Community Cycle Clubs can access:
45%
women
from an ethic minority group
46%
18%
• Funding and equipment For cycles and equipment, alongside contributions towards operating costs such as storage, utilities and volunteer expenses. •T raining and skills development Access to Cycling UK’s training courses, including Group Leader, Bike Maintenance and First Aid training, helping volunteers develop the skills and confidence to deliver safe and inclusive activities. • Dedicated development officer support Ongoing support from locally based Cycling Development Officers, helping clubs with planning, volunteer development, partnerships, delivery and sustainability. • Affiliation and insurance Access to Cycling UK’s wider network, resources, guidance and organiser insurance to support safe and sustainable delivery. • Networking opportunities Opportunities to connect with other Community Cycle Clubs, share learning and collaborate across local communities.
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A proven model for community impact For ten years, this combination of funding, training and ongoing support has enabled community organisations to deliver activities that help people become more active, cycle more often and feel connected to their local communities.
“
The Community Cycle Clubs programme gives people the confidence to get out, connect with others and be part of something regular. What starts as a small group often grows into a welcoming community where people feel they belong.”
from the 30% most deprived areas in England
reported a long-term health condition
“
The Community Cycle Clubs programme is a brilliant initiative. Giving women and the wider community access to bikes and regular rides has been a great achievement and means a lot to all who participate.”
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10-year impact report
Helping more people cycle
Improving health and wellbeing
Supporting long-term behaviour change
More active, healthier and happier communities
Michelle’s story
A key aim of the programme is to help people cycle more regularly and build confidence to continue cycling beyond their initial participation. Participants cycling at least once per fortnight increased by 26% over the last six years, with 75% now cycling regularly.
Building confidence* Participation enabled:
41% of people to feel more confident cycling
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26% of participants to feel safer when cycling
14% of participants to improve their cycling skills
19% of participants to feel more motivated to cycle
I’m so glad that I started it and I’d tell anyone to have a go. It’s changed my life because I do things now that I wouldn’t have done previously. A nice group encouraging you, all with one aim, builds your confidence.”
Bishop Auckland Social Cycling Group, North East Before joining Bishop Auckland Social Cycling Group, Michelle viewed cycling as something she did only occasionally and lacked the confidence to travel beyond familiar local routes. Busy roads acted as a barrier and many destinations felt out of reach. Through regular rides with the group, Michelle discovered traffic-free routes and cycle paths she had never previously known existed. Riding with others helped build her confidence and encouraged her to cycle more often. Today, cycling has become part of her everyday life, and she now uses her bike to travel to work, something she never imagined doing before becoming involved with the club. “ Before I joined the group, I never thought of cycling up to Durham or Darlington because we thought the roads were too busy. Through the group I’ve discovered off-road routes and cycle paths I never knew existed, which has given me the confidence to cycle more often. It’s because of the group that I now cycle to work.”
*Survey data taken from the last six years
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Our Community Cycle Clubs deliver benefits far beyond riding a bike. The programme helps participants develop healthy habits, establish regular activity routines and improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
78% say taking part increased the amount of exercise they do*
86% say the activity made them feel happier*
For many participants, cycling with others in a welcoming environment was the key factor in helping them continue cycling.
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I am now getting out two or three times a week. It is improving my general health and fitness immensely.”
62% have replaced some car journeys with cycling*
Darren’s story Meet, Move, Mend (Repeat) Lincolnshire Darren joined the Meet, Move, Mend (Repeat) Community Cycle Club during a difficult period for his mental health. Experiencing isolation and low confidence, he was referred to the club through Development Plus and initially felt uncertain about taking part. The welcoming and supportive environment quickly helped Darren feel part of the group. Through regular rides, he established a positive routine, improved his physical wellbeing and gained the confidence to be active again. Cycling has since become both a hobby and a preferred way of getting around, helping him manage his mental health while reconnecting with his local community. The club has also strengthened Darren’s relationship with his son, helping him become a positive role model through a more active lifestyle. What started as a cycling activity has become an important part of his wellbeing and everyday life. “ For me, cycling isn’t just riding a bike, it’s therapy. It brought the old me back again. I now sleep and wake at better hours since I started the Cycling Club, which motivated me to go out and be more active more often in general.” *Survey data taken from the last six years
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Building stronger communities
Strengthening community organisations
More than cycling
Developing volunteers and community leaders
Community Cycle Clubs create safe and welcoming spaces where people can: Meet others
Connect with their local community
Build friendships
Develop new skills
The social nature of the programme is one of its greatest strengths. Many clubs have become established community assets, bringing together people from different backgrounds through a shared activity and creating a sense of belonging that extends beyond cycling itself.
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ost of the time cycling is not the main M thing people have in common. It is simply knowing there will be a group of friendly people who welcome them every week.”
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Reduce loneliness
Volunteer and give back
Asylum Link Bike Club Merseyside
Established as a Community Cycle Club in 2022, Asylum Link Bike Club provides regular cycling opportunities for asylum seekers, refugees and local residents across Merseyside. Through weekly rides, participants have the opportunity to explore their local area, build confidence and form new friendships. The club demonstrates how cycling can be a powerful tool for community connection. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds but share a common experience through riding together. The welcoming nature of the group has helped reduce social isolation and create lasting relationships within the community. Support through the Community Cycle Clubs programme has enabled volunteers to access training and resources, helping the club continue to deliver regular activities throughout the year. “ Our rides are a lot of fun, and they have created lasting friendships between people from across the world and people from the local area.”
10-year impact report
Michael’s story From participant to ride leader
Alongside participant outcomes, the programme has strengthened the organisations delivering activities.
Volunteer training
Development planning support
Access to cycling equipment
Affiliation and insurance
Specialist guidance from Cycling Development Officers
Networking opportunities
Over the last six years, 997 volunteers have been trained. With the programme helping clubs grow their confidence, increase volunteer capacity and expand opportunities for local people to be active. Training course
% of trainees attending course
Group leader
55%
Bike maintenance
22%
First aid
11%
Trail leader
5%
Michael joined Linskill Riders as a participant before progressing into a volunteer role. With support from the Community Cycle Clubs programme, he completed Cycling UK’s Group Leader training and went on to assist, and later lead, group rides himself. His journey demonstrates how the programme helps participants develop new skills, build confidence and become volunteers within their local cycling community. “ After three or four months, I was asked if I wanted to be a volunteer ride leader, so went on a Cycling UK training course and started to assist on rides before leading them myself.”
“
When I joined the cycling group I didn’t know anything about bike maintenance... but now I know things like teeth on cassette, gearsets, group sets so my knowledge about bikes has grown. I am able to sort out the mechanical problems; I can change tyres.”
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10-year impact report
Participant stories
Alfred’s story After more than 40 years away from cycling, Alfred joined No Limits to Health (Gloucester Street) Community Cycle Club looking for a safe and supportive way to get back on a bike. What started as a desire to rebuild his confidence has become a regular part of his life.
Liberty had wanted to learn to ride a bike for years but had never found the opportunity. After joining Ashiana Community Project Community Cycle Club and attending free beginner lessons, she developed the skills and confidence to ride safely and independently.
Since joining the club, Alfred has progressed from not cycling at all to riding regularly and steadily increasing the distance he cycles. Supported group rides have helped him regain confidence on the road and discover the enjoyment of cycling again.
What began as a long-held ambition quickly became a regular part of her routine. Through group rides, Liberty discovered new parts of her local area, built social connections and found a welcoming community of riders.
Alongside becoming more physically active, Alfred has improved his road awareness, developed new cycling skills and built meaningful social connections through the club. Cycling now plays an important role in his health, wellbeing and day-to-day routine.
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Before joining, I wasn’t cycling at all, so this has been a major positive change for me. Cycling makes me feel free, happy and energised. It gives me a real sense of enjoyment and achievement.”
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Liberty’s story
Today, she cycles three times a week and credits cycling with improving both her confidence and mental wellbeing. The experience has helped her replace negative habits with a positive activity that keeps her active, connected and engaged with her community.
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Cycling has opened up a whole new world for me. I now ride three times a week, and it’s helped my mental health, my confidence, even replaced old habits that weren’t good for me.” 11
Contact us: CommunityCycleClubs@cyclinguk.org
Want to see more? Visit cyclinguk.org/community-cycle-clubs or scan the QR code to discover how Community Cycle Clubs are helping people cycle, connect with others and build stronger communities across the UK. You can also find a club near you and get involved.
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.