Coronavirus – Cycling and walking information and advice
Cycling or walking for leisure or to undertake essential travel is a good way to support your mental and physical health while following the latest Government rules on social distancing.
9 April 2020
Cycling or walking for leisure or to undertake essential travel is a good way to support your mental and physical health while following the latest Government guidance on social distancing.
Access to bikes - key workers
If you’re a key worker and want to travel by bike there are a number of organisations across West Yorkshire that may be able to help:
COVID-19 Mutual Aid – NHS Bikes, Bradford
Happy Days, Sowerby Bridge
The Active Calderdale Bike Library at Halifax Fire Station - phone 07810 152344 for more information and to make an appointment.
The Men’s Shed and Streetbikes, Huddersfield
Leeds Bike Mill and The Bikes College, Leeds
The Well Project, Normanton – phone 07872 551640 for more information and to make an appointment.
Do you have a bike in reasonably good condition that you’re not using and would be happy to donate? COVID-19 Mutual Aid – NHS Bikes and Happy Days are looking for donations. Take a look at their respective pages for more information on how you can help.
If you already have a bike already but it needs some work to make it roadworthy cycle shops are still open for repairs and maintenance. The Pedallers’ Arms, Leeds is also offering a free, by appointment-only bike repair service for key workers who are using (or would like to use) their bike to commute to work.
Both Cycling UK and British Cycling are offering free insurance and legal benefits to NHS workers travelling by bike.
Cycling UK has also put together an essential cycling skills advice page for key workers, including tips on how to cycle safely, a journey planner, basic maintenance and how to lock your bike securely.
Sustrans, the UK charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle, has launched an interactive map to help key workers find bike offers and services in their area.
Other useful resources
Bike checks and maintenance
Sustrans 11-step M-Check is a good place to start, as is their video on how to fix a puncture.
For other basic bike maintenance tips, such as degreasing and oiling your chain, and replacing and adjusting brakes, visit the British Cycling website.
Keeping active – advice and guidance from our partners
Living Streets – walking the right way / #walkingfromhome
Sport England – advice on how to keep or get active in and around your home / #StayInWorkOut
British Cycling, Cycling UK and Sustrans – partner updates
Keeping the kids entertained
British Cycling has launched a daily activity to keep kids moving during shutdown and many can be done without a bike. Find out more about British Cycling’s HSBC UK Ready Set Ride games and activities.
British Cycling's Let's Ride Local initiative provides inspiration for staying motivated and safe while cycling locally.
From learning to ride a balance bike to finding routes that challenge and excite your teenager, Cycling UK has a whole host of resources to support and inspire families.
Looking for ways to entertain children of primary school age? Head to Living Streets dedicated page for all teachers, school staff, parents, carers and families.
Cycle Sprog has ideas for some fun bike-related activities you can do indoors.
