Blog Posts

Interactive cycle parking map

With the increase in cycle parking stands in Swindon since the pandemic (thanks to Government funding) it seemed a good idea to plot these on a Google map layer. The new interactive map has now been launched and has clickable pins that show a photo of the cycle parking, and details about whether the infrastructure... Continue Reading →

Christmas Children’s Bike Appeal

Have you got any children’s bikes sat in the garage or not being used? Children grow out of bikes so quickly and a once dearly loved bike can easily be forgotten about. That pre-loved bike could make a local child’s Christmas this year. Matt Jones, a local bike mechanic who runs bike repair business ‘Run... Continue Reading →

Free Cycling Facilities on our Doorsteps

Whilst we eagerly await the new cycling facilities planned at the Moredon Sports Hub here are a few other great and free ways to enjoy cycling with the family over winter. Thanks to the efforts of wonderful local community groups and volunteers, these facilities exist to use for free at anytime. West Wheels All Wheels... Continue Reading →

Saving Money on Cycling

The rising cost of living has led to more people getting on their bikes as a cheap form of transport and leisure activity. You really don’t need any special clothing or equipment to get started. For most of my bike trips I’m in normal clothes and riding a secondhand shopping bike. Just invest in good... Continue Reading →

Learning to Ride a Bike!

Recently our little person passed a huge milestone and learnt how to ride a bike of his own! Unlike my generation, who mostly learnt to cycle using stabilisers, many children nowadays have what’s known as a balance bike. You can either buy a specific balance bike or just take the pedals (and stabilisers!) off an... Continue Reading →

FREE, fun, guided rides with Let’s Ride Swindon

Do you want to build confidence getting around your local area by bike? How about discovering more of the hidden gems of Swindon? British Cycling volunteers like me organise regular, FREE, guided bike rides across Swindon. We’re all fully trained and have first aid qualifications so you’re in safe hands. Let’s Ride is a nationwide... Continue Reading →

Bikes for Ukraine

The people of Swindon have been doing their bit to help support the people of Ukraine through the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine project. The project helps new arrivals from Ukraine find community and fulfilment in the local area. Within this project a ‘Bikes for Ukraine’ scheme was set up reflecting the requests of new arrivals wanting... Continue Reading →

Going Car-Free

With the cost-of-living crisis we are all being forced to look more closely at our finances. We decided to go car-free around 4 years ago, after finally admitting to ourselves that the costs of repairs, insurance and services just weren’t worth it. It has saved us hundreds, if not thousands, each year since. We’d gone... Continue Reading →

Christmas Children’s Bike Appeal

Have you got any children’s bikes sat in the garage or not being used? Children grow out of bikes so quickly and a once dearly loved bike can easily be forgotten about. That pre-loved bike could make a local child’s Christmas this year. Matt Jones, who runs local bike repair business ‘Run & Repair’, is... Continue Reading →

Hayes Knoll Road – A Safer Route to Cricklade

If you’ve cycled out to Cricklade from Swindon recently you’ve probably noticed the concrete blocks across the junction at Hayes Knoll Road (near the Cricklade & Blunsdon Railway). Access is avaliable for pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders and the changes have created a much safer and more attractive environment to enjoy. Drivers can still access the... Continue Reading →

Swindon’s LCWIP

Have you heard of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, or LCWIP, for short? Probably not. It’s doesn’t sound very exciting however it is an important document which, in the very near future, will shape our streets. Across the UK councils are producing LCWIPs as a planning tool to help prioritise active travel in... Continue Reading →

Streets for our futures

The quiet streets of the pandemic gave us a glimpse of what living in a low-traffic neighbourhood could be like, and it saw a huge sore in the amount of people walking and cycling. I enjoyed being able to walk in the middle of a traffic-free street, rather than squeezed onto the usual narrow, cracked... Continue Reading →

Moredon Sports Hub

Something exciting is happening at the end of this year - Swindon will have a new cycling, football and wellbeing hub! Yet to be given its official name, the multisport and recreation hub has been years in the making, and work on its construction is now underway at the site in Moredon.  Swindon Borough Council... Continue Reading →

FREE, fun, led rides starting up again soon!

With lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, British Cycling volunteers like me are preparing to restart a programme of free, guided bike rides across Swindon. From the spring, our local team of fully qualified ride leaders will be putting on rides especially aimed at those who bought a bike, or returned to cycling, over the past... Continue Reading →

Missing Links

Lockdown has highlighted to all of us how much we value being able to go outside and explore – to get a breath of fresh air, listen to the birds and get some exercise. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to cycle if a lack of safe routes are available. Cycling UK,... Continue Reading →

Cycling from 8 to 80, and Beyond

Would you be confident making a journey by bike with your 8-year-old child or your 80-year-old granny? Possibly not. However, all-new planning guidance could help change that. In July last year, following the 2020 lockdown ‘Cycle Boom’, the government released an important document which could really help us move towards the goal of becoming a... Continue Reading →

Lockdown in the Saddle

It feels wrong to admit it but in some ways I quite enjoy lockdown, notably the quieter roads and chance to slow down. Less traffic on my local streets also means that I feel more confident to make more journeys with my little boy on my bike. Despite being a fairly confident and regular bicycle... Continue Reading →

Highway Code changes – Consultation

Would you like it if drivers gave you a bit more wiggle room when you’re cycling? Or maybe if passing a row of parked vehicles wasn’t like playing a game of Russian roulette with car doors? Well back in July the government launched a long overdue consultation on proposed Highway Code changes, to update it... Continue Reading →

The challenges of new urban infrastructure

During lockdown the UK saw a renaissance in the popularity of cycling, largely as a result of less motor traffic on our streets. Following this, the government made funding pots avaliable for councils across the country to trial temporary road space re-allocation schemes, aimed at encouraging a continuation of ‘active travel’ (ie walking and cycling)... Continue Reading →

Free Led Bike Rides in Swindon

If you are amongst the thousands of people up and down the country who have recently discovered (or re-discovered) the joys of cycling there is some good news for you.  British Cycling has recruited a team of specially trained volunteer ride leaders who are ready to help you explore more of Swindon by bike. Ride... Continue Reading →

Lockdown Cycle Boom

Have you been cycling more since lockdown? Well the country has seen a cycle boom thanks quieter roads, good weather, cycling as daily exercise and bike shops being listed as essential businesses. Swindon’s cycle retailers have never been so busy, with Mitchell Cycles reporting queues of up to 1.5 hours as everyone dashes to get... Continue Reading →

Reflections on lockdown

Well, who would have thought just a few months ago that this country would be in ‘lockdown’ because of a global pandemic? Whilst the reasons for the lockdown are undeniably terrible, some of the changes to our environment and lifestyles have arguably positive elements. The quieter roads have opened-up much more space for people to... Continue Reading →

Child Cycle Training in Swindon

Until we get a cycle network resembling some of northern European countries, our children need to learn how to keep safe whilst riding on our current roads and cycle paths. Cycling charity, Life Cycle UK works in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to deliver Bikeability (cycling proficiency) in Swindon’s schools. They now also offer fun... Continue Reading →

Access to the countryside

Lots of people complain about Swindon, but I think that there are plenty of things to be positive about in our town. Having been born and bred here I was quick to move away and see the ‘real world’ at 18, see how much greener the grass was on the other side. After living in... Continue Reading →

The E-Bike Revolution

Have you tried an electric bike yet? E-bikes are fast becoming a more common sight on our streets, opening up cycling to a whole new group of people. In the UK we’re only just catching onto the e-bike revolution, whereas approximately a third of bike sales in countries such as Germany and Holland are now... Continue Reading →

Safe routes to school and work

I generally love my commute to work on my bike, it’s the perfect way for a gym-aphobe like me to get some exercise, avoid traffic and enjoy some (mostly) fresh air. I’m lucky that my route is predominately on quiet roads and shared paths, but there are some sections of busier roads which I just... Continue Reading →

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