Making new year's resolutions and small acts of cycling kindness

If you are not great at keeping to resolutions (and come February let’s be honest who is) just pick one of the things here and give it a go. They are few simple suggestions of things you could aim to do in 2023, these will hopefully bring you joy and help you to cycle on, because it might be a bleak winter now but blue skies are coming. 

Give a little time to help improve cycling

Cycling UK has thousands of volunteers across the UK who all give a little bit of time to help cycling. Why not volunteer and give the gift of time to help an outreach project, cycling group or a campaign.

Help a friend

We all have a pal with a bike that’s stuck in their shed with a flat tyre, they say they’d love to come for a ride but they just don't know how to fix it. It’s time to be a hero, so grab your pump, spare inner tube and a multi tool and head round to help. 

Alternatively, take a friend who is a bit nervous about cycling out for a simple traffic-free ride.  

Make new friends

It’s great to ride alone, but it’s even better to ride with others. Joining a group gives you momentum to get out on your bike on a regular basis and is a great way to meet new people outdoors.

It’s easy to find a group near you as there’s hundreds of local groups and cycling clubs to choose from. 

Create a cycling community where you live

You could moan there isn’t a decent cycling club that you’d like to join where you live or you could set one up, it’s actually a lot easier than you think. Cycling UK’s network of local groups is growing in diversity and we’d like to help you to create a club where you live.

Share your bike(s) and cycles

Your bike(s) may be your pride and joy, but many people who don’t have a bike or have a badly designed bike haven’t experienced the joy of riding a really nice bike. Be generous, when someone you know and trust mentions how nice your bike is, take the compliment and offer them a go (if you have a spare bike you could always ride with them).

For the next generation

Many of your friends and family will have children or grandchildren with bikes but no one to show them how to look after a bike or even how to ride. Share your skills and encourage the next generation of cyclists. There’s lots of advice and how to learn to ride videos in the family cycling advice section.

Improve cycling where you live

If you want better cycling infrastructure, why not join the Cycle Advocacy Network and support your local cycling campaign group, or if there isn’t one, with the help of Cycling UK you could set one up.

Out with the old

Have a clear out and pass on old bikes, bits and tools to your nearest bike recycling centre. If you aren’t using a bike, but don’t want to get rid of it you could lend it to a friend.

Go somewhere new

Try a new route with our journey planner or take a look at our 200+ routes all with GPX files. You don't always have to commit to an epic adventure. 

Pay someone a compliment

If you know someone who inspires you to cycle or helps you - tell them. You’ll make their day and will encourage them to carry on.

Strike up a conversation

Do you see the same cyclists on your route, why not say hello? Try asking about their bike or journey and remember to really listen to their reply.

Buy a treat for a cycling stranger

Get a warm drink for a cold cyclist this winter and it will be heartwarming for you.

Set smart cycling goals

There's lots of advice and route ideas here on the Cycling UK website if you would like to set yourself a cycling goal. Remember there's just a bit more to it than wishful thinking.

Smile

It’s natural to grimace as you cycle up a steep hill, so remember to take a deep breath at the top and smile. 

Have a wonderful 2023