Cycle Nation is a research-supported cycling programme designed to help people who don’t currently cycle build the skills and confidence to start riding regularly again.

It’s completely FREE, and you’ll be part of an exciting study aiming to improve public health, tackle transport inequality, and support a greener Glasgow.

What’s Included:
You’ll get:

• Free bike loan for 9 weeks

• 9 weekly 1.5-hour group sessions led by trained, friendly facilitators

• 2 group cycle rides

• Skills-based, supportive learning environment

• Up to £100 in vouchers for completing all parts of the study

• Additional £20 voucher if selected for an interview

  Please refer to the participant information sheet for the details.

When and where? 

The programme will run over 9 weeks throughout the summer, with several start dates

• Week 0 (12 May): Bike pick-up

• Week 1 (19 May): First session

• Week 9 (14 July): Final session & graduation

• Group rides: Week 21 & 28 July

Cycle Nation is delivered by several local cycling partners across Glasgow. You’ll be able to choose the organisation, day, and time that suits you best. Spaces are limited to 12 participants per group and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you’d like to join the programme through Ebike Freedom CIC, training is conducted at our hub (Unit 1A, Millennium Court, 9 Burns Street, G4 9SA) with the following session options:

• Group A: Fridays | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Group B: Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Group C: Saturdays | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

All sessions are led by experienced facilitators and designed to be friendly, supportive, and confidence-building. Please contact the University of Glasgow for the arrangement.

Who Can Join?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be 18 years+

• Live in Glasgow

• Not currently cycle but want to cycle more (Less than 10 times over the past 6 months)

Participants must also be willing to take part in the study, including completing 3 short questionnaires and possibly an interview (with a voucher as a thank-you!).

What You’ll Learn:
The weekly sessions will cover: 

Week 1 – On your bike 

• Course overview 

• Why cycle? 

• Your helmet lights and lock 

• The ABC check

• Adjusting seat height 

• Starting and stopping effectively 

Week 2- Going through the gears 

• What to wear

• Personal cycling goals 

• The ABC check 

• Going through the gears 

Week 3 – Basic cycling skills 

• A brief introduction to barriers

• Buying a bike

• Personal cycling goal

• Fixing a dropped chain

• Bike handling (cornering) 

Week 4 – Consolidating cycling skills 

• Pumping up your tires

• Avoiding obstacles 

• Front wheel lift 

• Group (off-road) riding 

Week 5 – Using the road 

• Your rights on the road

• Signalling 

• The emergency stop 

• Introduction to riding on the road 

Week 6 – On the road again 

• Lubricating your chain 

• Conduction yourself safely in traffic lights and roundabouts 

• Filtering through queued traffic 

Week 7 – Puncture clinic 

• Replacing an inner tube 

Week 8 – Planning your journey 

• Overcoming setbacks 

• Long-term bike access 

• Route planning 

• Riding your journey 

Week 9 – Moving forward 

• Action planning and moving forward

• Group ride

• Graduation! 

📩 Interested?
If you are interested, please show your interest on the link below!

 https://tinyurl.com/2svs6yf5

Who is behind this programme? 

This free cycling programme is led by the University of Glasgow with local cycling organisations including Ebike Freedom CIC. Throughout the programme, you will be asked some questions by researchers. You will be given more information on this before you decide to take part. 

Need more information about the research and the programme, please check the participant information sheet, or email University of Glasgow (gallanttravel@glasgow.ac.uk).