Big Bike Revival set to bring thousands of bikes back into use this summer

A national campaign designed to bring bicycles back into use in their thousands, launches today in Stockport. The Big Bike Revival, an award winning programme developed by Cycling UK, formerly CTC the national cycling charity, helps people to bring their bikes back into use, by providing bike health checks, sharing maintenance knowhow, and giving people more confidence in the saddle. 

Partnered by bicycle recycling centres across the country, the Big Bike Revival brought over 24,000 bikes back into use last year. The project, funded by the Department for Transport, and this year extending into Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland, has also reached into communities challenged by multiple deprivation, where access to a bike can unlock greater employment opportunities, transport savings and low cost exercise. 

So many of us can instantly remember our first bike as a child and the freedom and fun it brought. The Big Bike Revival is the perfect way to bring that fun and freedom back into your life today."

Ian Richardson, Cycling UK Development Director

Cycling UK’s Development Director, Ian Richardson said: “So many of us can instantly remember our first bike as a child and the freedom and fun it brought. The Big Bike Revival is the perfect way to bring that fun and freedom back into your life today. In fact, cycling is the gift that just keeps on giving – it can help you to save hundreds of pounds a year on travel costs, is a cheap form of exercise, and it’s the ideal way to make trips to work, the shops or to school”. 

“Cycling UK has chosen Stockport for our launch because we have seen community groups, local authority partners and key organisations like Transport for Greater Manchester, really embrace this project and cause genuine change, with many more people making cycling a part of their daily lives.” 

With events planned across the summer and over 100 bike recycling centres spread across the country, the Big Bike Revival aims to bring thousands of more bikes back into use. There will be friendly mechanics on hand to make repairs or show you easy maintenance tips, activities for all ages to enjoy, and plenty of ways to learn how you can make the most of the summer by bike. 

Brian Pendlebury, Director of CERA Ltd, a bike recycling centre taking part in the Big Bike Revival said: “I have seen first-hand how a bit of extra bike knowhow and cycling confidence, coupled with restorative practice and our engagement ethos of five ways to wellbeing, can have a hugely uplifting effect on someone’s life. Whether that’s a homeless person gaining new skills leading to employment, a practical alternative school provision to positively engage, or it’s simply working with the general public, activities like the Big Bike Revival make a real difference”. 

Councillor Chris Paul, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Committee Cycling Champion said: “As a region with a thriving network of bike recycling centres and ambitious plans to see 10% of all journeys in Greater Manchester being made by cycle by 2025, we’re happy to support the Big Bike Revival. 

“Since 2014 we’ve been working with Cycling UK to increase cycling participation in our communities through the Community Cycle Clubs programme, we offer new and existing groups training and practical support to encourage people to cycle more often, and many of these clubs will be holding events as part of the Big Bike Revival. 

“Improving access to jobs and education are key priorities for us and – through significant investment in cycling infrastructure, free cycle training and other programmes – we’re encouraging as many people as possible to take up cycling. 

“The Big Bike Revival helps us to build on the fantastic work already under way to promote sustainable and active travel choices in Greater Manchester.” 

To find Big Bike Revival events information, visit www.bigbikerevival.org.uk and to search for a bike recycling centre, visit www.cyclinguk.org/recycling-centres.