10-year impact report 2015 - 2025
Forewords
I am incredibly proud to celebrate 10 years of The Big Bike Revival, a milestone that reflects a decade of empowering individuals, strengthening communities and transforming lives through cycling.
Together with our partners, we have supported hundreds of thousands of people rediscover the joy of cycling, whether for leisure, commuting or everyday journeys. By breaking down barriers and building confidence, The Big Bike Revival has made cycling more accessible, creating lasting change across England.
At Cycling UK, our mission is to inspire happier, healthier, and greener lives through cycling. As we look ahead, we remain committed to ensuring that more people, from all backgrounds, have the opportunity to experience the freedom and benefits of cycling. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to the next 10 years of pedalling towards a brighter future!
James Scott Director of Behaviour Change and Development, Cycling UK
For a decade, The Big Bike Revival has been breaking down barriers and bringing the joy of cycling back to communities across Britain. What makes this initiative so powerful is its focus on inclusivity—reaching people where they are and showing them that cycling can be for everyone.
By fixing up forgotten bikes, teaching essential skills, and building confidence, The Big Bike Revival has helped thousands rediscover a sustainable, healthy, and affordable way to get around.
As we face the increasing challenges of improving public health, and tackling climate change and inequality, the grassroots work of The Big Bike Revival remains as vital today as it was ten years ago - transforming lives, one bike at a time.
Chris Boardman National Active Travel Commissioner
Executive summary
Over the past decade, The Big Bike Revival has reshaped local transport, improved public health, and reduced costs for communities. This evidence-based national programme delivers measurable economic, environmental and wellbeing benefits—creating happier, healthier, and greener lives through cycling.
Since 2015, the programme has:
• Reached over 628,000 people—the equivalent of the entire population of Bristol
• Enabled 24 million new cycling trips
The economic case is clear:
• For every £1 invested, the country saves £4.30
• That’s a total of £56.3 million in benefits generated
• Including £12 million in modal shift savings as more people choose cycling over driving
And the health impact speaks for itself:
• 61% of participants reported improved physical fitness
• 86% said their mental wellbeing had increased
The Real Yellow Jersey is Cycling UK’s award celebrating individuals whose lives have been transformed through cycling. Chosen from across Big Bike Revival participants, winners are recognised for their inspiring stories, determination, and the positive impact they’ve had on others in their community.
I learned how to ride on The Big Bike Revival, it literally changed my life and means all the difference in the world to me. I can cycle with my daughter, teach my one-yearold how to ride and together with my wife we can cycle as a family.
Dave
Our programme
The Big Bike Revival was launched in 2015 as a short-term campaign aimed at restoring old cycles and encouraging more people to cycle. What began as a simple campaign to breathe new life into forgotten bikes has since evolved into a behaviour change programme.
Over the past decade, The Big Bike Revival has grown into a movement dedicated to reshaping perceptions of cycling safety, breaking down social and cultural barriers, and inspiring hundreds of thousands of individuals each year to integrate cycling into their daily routines for short, local journeys.
Our approach
Our Fix –Learn- Ride model is evidencebased, using the ‘COM-B’ behavioural science approach. We provide opportunities for people to develop their abilities, rediscover their love for cycling, and make it a part of their daily lives.
The Big Bike Revival helped me remember how much I enjoyed cycling when I was younger. It has inspired me to get a bike of my own, cycle for car journeys, and improve my eco footprint.
Beth
Our partnership
Funded by Active Travel England and led by Cycling UK, The Big Bike Revival is delivered in partnership with grassroots organisations, charities and volunteer-led cycling groups across England. By working collaboratively with local delivery partners, we reach a wide range of communities, making cycling accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all.
Our mission is to create happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling, and this would not be possible without the dedicated individuals and organisations that help embed cycling within everyday life at a local level.
Over the past 10 years, we have worked with more than 1,034 local groups and organisations to reach communities that might otherwise be left behind. Initially delivering to Manchester, West Yorkshire and Liverpool, The Big Bike Revival has grown into a nationwide initiative, ensuring that cycling remains an accessible and empowering activity for people of all backgrounds.
Cycling that changes lives - and the country
The Big Bike Revival is more than a cycling initiative—it’s a proven, cost-effective way to improve public health, cut emissions, ease transport costs and reduce isolation.
Economic and social value
• £56.3 million in total benefits delivered, including:
» £47.9m in health savings from reduced risk of early death
» £11.6m saved by employers through reduced absenteeism
• Every £1 invested returns £4.30 in benefits to the economy, health and environment
• £12 million saved in transport mode shift benefits through reduced congestion and improved air quality
• £5.7 million reinvested economies through grants to community organisations
The funding that we receive from The Big Bike Revival allows us to deliver vital activities in the local community. This investment helps us to train and employ local staff, while providing free services to those who need them most.”
Transport and climate impact
• 24 million new cycling trips for everyday journeys—commuting, errands, leisure and more
• Almost 10 million car trips replaced, cutting congestion in towns and cities
• 9,295 tonnes of CO₂ saved—the same as a forest covering 2,325 football pitches
The Cycle Hub, Newcastle Tom
Since 2015, the programme has:
• Reached over 628,000 people—the equivalent of the entire population of Bristol
• Enabled 24 million new cycling trips for commuting, shopping, social visits and everyday errands
Health and wellbeing
• 86% of participants reported improved mental wellbeing
• 61% said they became fitter and more physically active
• Participants said cycling helped manage diabetes, blood pressure, anxiety, cancer recovery and more
• Some even reduced or stopped medication after taking part
Confidence and safety
• More than half of participants said the programme helped them feel safer cycling
• 72% were still cycling three months after attending
Before attending The Big Bike Revival, I never felt comfortable riding a bike even on a 5-minute journey. Joining the men’s cycling group however, I feel more confident and even know how to get to the city centre. Cycling has helped me explore the local area and build my independence. I have replaced most of my local journeys that I did by car, with cycling.”
National programme giving national impact
Our reach
We know that a much wider range of people want to cycle than those who currently do. The Big Bike Revival’s localised approach and evidencebased model means we reach into a huge range of communities.
The Big Bike Revival key milestones
Improved accessibility
Stories of change
Over the past decade, we’ve seen how The Big Bike Revival can transform lives to improve health, confidence, and connection. At the heart of this change are individuals who go the extra mile, not just for themselves, but for others too. In this section, we celebrate some of those stand-out changemakers — including The Real Yellow Jersey recipients — whose passion and persistence have helped bring cycling to the heart of their communities.
Name: Gosia
Location: Greater Manchester
Found The Big Bike Revival: 2023
Started cycling for local journeys: 2023
Changing school travel across her area: 2024 – present day
Before attending a women-only “Learn to Fix” Big Bike Revival event, Gosia did not cycle often. Most of her rides were short daytime trips with her son. She lacked the confidence to fix her bike or even go into a bike shop. That all changed at The Big Bike Revival event delivered by Station South in Manchester. The inclusive, nonjudgmental atmosphere empowered her to ask the kinds of questions she had always been too embarrassed to voice, questions she once thought were too “basic.”
“I could be myself. I could ask all these silly questions that were very basic… I didn’t have to pretend. I was made to feel comfortable.”
At the event, she also connected with people passionate about sustainability and active travel, like the Rides for Women Collective. She knew that more children and adults might find cycling less intimidating if they had the chance to cycle in a group. She started a “bike bus” at her child’s primary school, where a regular group of adults and children ride together on a fixed route, helping more kids to get to school by bike.
What began as a simple idea soon grew into a sustainable initiative. Gosia’s action has inspired similar bike buses in seven other local schools. A new cohort of parents at her school has taken on the bike bus to keep the legacy going.
“Now we have two cohorts of parents—so when the first group of children grows up, the second group can take over. That’s crucial for a primary school, otherwise the project stops when people move on.”
This personal journey led to a professional shift as well. Gosia turned her focus to cycling advocacy and community-led projects—work that feels more aligned with her values and desire for impact.
“The impact is immediate, it’s embodied, it’s connected to people’s places of living. It’s creative, handson, and deeply rooted in community. It’s about transforming our cities and I feel this is a change that I want to be a part of.”
Name: Mark
Location: Merseyside
Found The Big Bike Revival: 2022
Started cycling to work: 2022
Teaching others to feel confident: 2023 –present day
Like many people, Mark owned a bike but it only made an appearance once or twice a year. That changed in 2022 when he moved to a new area and was looking for ways to explore, get some fresh air, and meet new people.
“I saw The Big Bike Revival event posted on Facebook and thought, ‘Well, I’ve got a bike in the shed,’ so I decided to pop along. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made — it’s changed my life. I fell back in love with it. I was out exploring places I would never have go and met new people.”
Mark’s confidence grew day by day. Soon he started cycling to work instead of driving and never looked back. Even after changing jobs, he remained committed to incorporating cycling into his commute. Now, he cycles six miles to the train station as part of his longer work journey.
“Those are my favourite days because I can actually decompress on the way home instead of sitting in traffic.”
Although Mark lives in England, his job is in Wales, where the 20mph speed limit has made cycling feel safer.
“Cycling to work isn’t too bad because it’s in Wales, so it’s 20mph roads. I know it is a lot safer, so I’m a lot more confident to take the lane.”
Mark has fully embraced cycling for his local journeys. Now he only uses his car for long distances.
“When I checked my car data last month, I realised I had only made one journey of 9 miles and that was my shortest drive. Everything else was active travel.”
Last year, Mark completed a ride leader training course and now leads group rides, supporting others to take up cycling and feel the freedom it brings.
Gosia’s story: From fear to starting a bike bus
Mark’s story: Out of the car and onto a bike
Sumayra’s story: Empowering more South Asian women to cycle
Name: Sumayra
Location: Greater Manchester
Found The Big Bike Revival: 2022
Started cycling for local journeys: 2022
Leading women from the South Asian community into cycling: 2024 – present day
Before joining The Big Bike Revival, Sumayra had never thought of cycling as something she could use for getting around. She would occasionally cycle, but only in nice weather or to go out with her daughters.
This all changed when she joined a Big Bike Revival Learn to Fix events. Learning how to take care of her bike not only built her confidence.
“When I learned how to do it myself, it gave me so much confidence and it was not so complicated. I learned to inflate my tyre and fix a puncture and remove and replace the inner tube correctly, and those three things were really liberating and empowering.”
Sumayra’s cycling habits changed dramatically. She started cycling instead of driving for some short trips and has discovered new parks and biking paths. She cycled at night for the first time and became passionate about sharing cycling with more people.
She particularly wanted to give more women from the South Asian community the chance to explore the joys of cycling and overcome barriers they face. She gained qualifications and secured funding to run her own cycling sessions. As a visibly Muslim woman and a mother who cycles with her kids, she shows others that cycling is for everyone, no matter their background. What keeps her going is the overwhelmingly positive response from the women in her group. Samayra’s
tireless efforts and powerful example to other women have earned her the Cycling UK’s Real Yellow Jersey award.
“The confidence, the self-esteem, the smiles, and the joy that the women left with were incredibly motivating and truly inspiring for me.”
Helen’s story: Back to fitness and making space for women to ride
Name: Helen
Location: Essex
Found The Big Bike Revival: 2018
Leading confidence rides for women: 2023 – present day
After Helen retired and nearly four decades of a sedentary lifestyle, she was keen to get fitter and improve her health.
“For many years, I have been frustrated at the thought of my limbs seizing up as I get older”
To ease back into cycling, Helen purchased an electric bike. However, on her first ride at a local park, she got lost. Luckily, she came across the park’s café where she discovered information about The Big Bike Revival led rides and a new cycling journey began.
Helen began attending rides, initially relying on the full power of her electric bike. As her fitness improved she gradually reduced the assistance level and, within three months, switched to a conventional mountain bike.
With growing enthusiasm she joined a local mountain biking group, where she improved her fitness further, gained additional technical skills, and increased her confidence.
“It’s been great—it keeps me fit and keeps me out of the car. If I need to go to the shops or head to the post office, I just jump on my bike.”
Helen’s passion for cycling continued to grow, she took a Mountain Bike Trail Leader course. As Cycling UK’s Real Yellow Jersey winner, Helen brings both experience and inspiration to the cycling community. Since 2023, she has been leading confidence rides for
women every Saturday and with another five women trained as ride leaders, she can take an occasional Saturday off. She has also established a Thursday group for more experienced women cyclists, further strengthening the community.
Her future goals remain simple yet impactful: to keep riding, maintain her fitness, and encourage more women to experience the joy of cycling.
Contact us
Email: bigbikerevival@CyclingUK.org
Want to see more?
Visit BigBikeRevival.org.uk or scan the QR code to explore how The Big Bike Revival is changing lives across the country—real stories, national data, and the difference your support makes
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