Big Birmingham Bikes

Big Birmingham Bikes is a flagship Free Bikes Scheme that provides people with access to a bike and wraparound support to improve their cycling skills.

About Big Birmingham Bikes

The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) pioneered a revolutionary approach to community health and mobility through its flagship Big Birmingham Bikes (BBB) programme, launched in 2016 as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution. 

The project has been renewed by Birmingham City Council for a second phase and will launch in Autumn 2025, with support from Cycling UK, Wheels for All, Saheli Hub, and Raleigh Bikes. Inclusive cycling provider, Wheels for All, will be collaborating with TAWS to create an accessible cycling hub, providing adapted bikes, trikes and tailored cycling support.

For more information, contact our team at bigbirminghambikes@theaws.org

How do I get a bike?

Cycle Development Worker, Onjam, assisting a bike recipient
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Find out if you’re eligible for a free bike under our latest scheme.

Join a cycle community

Led ride in the park
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If you already have a bike, why not contact a local cycling hub or attend a free maintenance session?

Our impact

A boy learning to ride a bike
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Learn more about our impact, partnership working and outcomes.

How do I get my own bike?

To find out whether you are eligible for a bike, please fill in the form below. If you do not know how ride a bike, or you are lacking in cycling confidence, you will be invited to our cycle skills sessions first. Once you have received your bike, you will be invited to led rides and cycle maintenance workshops to support your cycling.

The next phase of Big Birmingham Bikes will be distributing bikes across key focus areas:

  • Druids Heath & Monyhull, Highter’s Heath, Billesley  
  • Balsall Heath West, Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East  
  • Tyseley & Hay Mills, Small Heath, Acocks Green  
  • Alum Rock, Ward End   
  • Garretts Green, Shard End, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross  
  • Heartlands, Bordesley Green  
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Find local rides, cycle training and maintenance sessions

Find a Community Cycling Hub near you

From cycle training to group led rides, find a local community cycling hub with Cycling UK.

Join the Love to Ride community

Join the Big Birmingham Bikes Love to Ride community! Log your rides, share photos and win prizes every time you ride.

Find local cycling activities

Check out our Activity Finder for local cycle training and group rides.

Colleagues from TAWS, Birmingham City Council, and Bikeability Trust

Cycle training and bike giveaway for children at The Oval School in Yardley

Bringing together cycle training initiatives, such as Bikeability, and Free Bikes schemes means we are able to develop cycle confidence in children who would not ordinarily have access to a bike.

Heartlands Hospital senior team, TAWS staff, Beccy Marston and Councillor Mahmood.

Free bikes help Heartlands Hospital staff get moving

Our pilots with NHS Trusts aim to provide eligible staff on lower incomes with access to free bikes, alongside cycling support.

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Patients living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) receive free bikes

Providing a bike to those living with an SMI has given them the agency to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Creating long-lasting positive change is complex – let’s work together to make it happen.