The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) was joined by CEO of Bikeability, Emily Cherry, and Cycling Projects Specialist with Birmingham City Council, Beccy Marston, for a bike giveaway at The Oval School in Yardley, Birmingham.
Bikeability instructors from TAWS invited the Bikeability CEO to attend a cycle training session with pupils at The Oval School to share their progress and see first-hand the positive impact of Bikeability training in schools.
Following the session, TAWS held a bike giveaway with selected students, marking our first children’s bike giveaway for 2026 and for this phase of the Big Birmingham Bikes project. Children were chosen to receive a bike based on their interest in riding their bike to and from school, along with their commitment to receiving cycle training – ensuring that they are able to safely and confidently navigate the roads.
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. An independent evaluation of the schemes shows that we are able to improve cycling access for those who are often excluded from typical active travel initiatives and infrastructure – such as families, women and girls, and people from global majority backgrounds.
Big Birmingham Bikes is funded by Birmingham City Council through income generated from the Clean Air Zone. The project provides equitable access to cycling through free bikes, cycle training, and maintenance skills. For more information, please contact the team at bigbirminghambikes@theaws.org.
