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 →
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 →
Highway Code Changes to Support Walking and Cycling
The Highway Code has been updated to help improve road safety and offer greater protection for vulnerable road users in Britain, making it safer for people to make journeys by foot and cycle. The revised Highway code mainly seeks to clarify existing rules. Most notably this includes a Hierarchy of Road Users, where those who... Continue Reading →
Highway Code Changes to Support Walking and Cycling
The Highway Code is being updated to help improve road safety and offer greater protection for vulnerable road users in Britain. The new rules of the Highway Code are expected to come into place on January 29th and, providing parliament accepts them, they offer significant improvements to help make it safer for people to make... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Just Like Riding a Bike
Can you remember when you first learned to ride a bike? Like many people I learnt as a child. I must have been about 3 or 4 and I had a little red Raleigh with a doll seat on the back. I loved riding my bike and spent most of my summer holidays as a... 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 →
Free cycle confidence courses and led rides this summer in Swindon
Are you tempted to dust off your bike this summer and try cycling? It’s a fantastic, fun way to get active and explore your local area and there’s plenty of opportunities this summer to get cycling for free! Swindon Borough Council are supporting the ‘Let’s Ride’ initiative, a partnership between HSBC and British Cycling to... Continue Reading →
Swindon Cycle Campaign 