The Macmillan Castles Bike Ride is set to return for its 25th year on Sunday 4th June 2023 and is expected to attract around 200 to 300 riders.
The Macmillan Castles Bike Ride Returns for 2023
Free Family Learn to Ride and Cycle Confidence Events
Swindon Cycle Campaign has received grant funding through Sports England and Sustrans to help support local people to learn to cycle. With the Together Fund grant we’re planning four ‘Family Learn to Ride and Cycle Confidence’ events throughout the year. The events will be completely free to attend and offer a hub of support and... Continue Reading →
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 →
Getting More Women and Girls on Bikes
I love getting around by bike, it’s such a feeling of freedom and it’s great fun. It’s a healthy way to travel, for both me and the planet. It’s a cheap form of transport and I can carry all the things I need with ease in my basket, pannier bags and child-seat. I’m very aware... 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 →
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 →
Get Cycling for World Bicycle Relief this New Year
I’m a keen advocate of cycling not being a seasonal sporting activity but an important year-round mode of transport. I love seeing the changing seasons by bike and wrapping up on those frosty winter mornings. There couldn’t be a better time than now to get out into the fresh air and enjoy nature, with so... 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 →
Give a Child the Gift of a Bike this Christmas
Difficult times often seem to bring out the best in the community. Matt Jones, who runs local bike repair business ‘Run & Repair’, has been going above and beyond to help people get from A to B this year, amid the difficult challenges brought about by the pandemic. Since April, Matt has single-handedly received, repaired,... 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 →
Swindon Cycle Campaign 