The NHS has developed Walking for Health guidance for those wanting to exercise more by walking.
A helping hand
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I'm just starting out
You like the idea of walking, wheeling or cycling more but you are not sure where to start. Information on the kit you need and how to maintain it.
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I'm ready to try more
You have given walking, wheeling or cycling a go but need to boost your confidence or take things to the next level. You aren't alone - information on how you can join in with organised events and activities in your local area.
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I'm looking for a challenge
You are ready to challenge yourself and build habits that will last a lifetime. Information on applications that can support you and challenges in your local area.
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I'm looking for where to go
Understanding where your local footpath and cycle networks are can help to build confidence and provide the motivation to get out and about more. Use our journey planner to plan your next trip.
Starting Out
Walking and wheeling
Walking and wheeling are great options for travel. Moving as a pedestrian is usually free, flexible and can have huge benefits for your health and wellbeing.
The term ‘walking and wheeling’ includes people who can walk unaided or with the support of aids (such as a stick, cane or assistance animal), or travel using wheeled mobilities (such as a wheelchair, scooter or rollator).
Undertaking more journeys by walking and wheeling can be difficult, particularly for disabled people or those with lower mobility who can face significant barriers. Poor surfacing, street clutter, pavement parking and a lack of dropped kerbs can make whole routes inaccessible and dangerous. Planning an accessible route that works for you before you set off can help.
When starting out, don’t feel like you have to take long walks everyday, a small change to your routine can make a big difference. If you are not very active, increase your walking and wheeling distance gradually.
You could even try walking or wheeling for part of the way – take a bus or drive for some of your journey, then walk the rest. That way, you still get to be active without going too far.
Living Streets UK have developed 20 tips to help you to fit 20 minutes of walking into your day.
Age UK have developed walking tips and advice for older people.
Cycling
If you want to give cycling a go, you'll need a bike, a helmet, and comfortable clothes and shoes. Biking lets you go further and is faster than walking – it's good for the environment too!
Bikes can be expensive if bought new. You can buy used bikes from lots of providers, including Rebike in Carlisle.
Some employers offer a Cycle to Work scheme that can help you get a brand new bike for much less. You could maybe even borrow a bike from friends and family before committing to buy.
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Cycling UK have developed some useful guides and advice for beginners, from learning to cycle to choosing the right bike and technical advice on bike maintenance.
Sustrans have developed a guide for adults cycling for the first time or getting back in the saddle after a long time.
Wheels for Wellbeing have information for people considering buying a bike as a mobility aid.
Taking things to the next level
You are not alone – there are groups and activities available in your local area. Walking, wheeling or cycling as a group is a great way to make friends, keep you motivated and build confidence. We have selected some of the best, free or low-cost groups, organisations and activities below to support you to travel more actively.
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Wellbeing Walks
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are free, short walks that take place every week across Cumbria. Walks are designed for beginners or those getting back into walking.
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Guided Walks
Free guided walks led by volunteers. Walks are graded so you can select a difficulty that suits you. Several walks are accessible and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
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Park Run
Free, fun and friendly weekly 5km (adults) and 2km (juniors) community events across Cumbria and even the world. It isn’t just a run, you can walk it too.
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The Hiking Household
Provides information for people in Cumbria keen to explore their local area. Easy to follow walking routes for all ages and abilities. The Live Long Better series provides walking routes specifically targeted at those just getting started.
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Travel Actively – Guided Walks
Our social prescribing programme has provided training for walk leaders in Barrow and Carlisle. Our walk leaders are now providing guided walks in these areas.
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Travel Actively – Cycling Confidence Sessions
Our social prescribing programme is running free bike confidence sessions in Barrow and Carlisle. The beginner sessions aim to develop confidence, balance and bike handling skills. More advanced sessions work on road safety skills and awareness.
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Bikeability
Bikeability is an accredited national training programme to provide the cycling skills and confidence for children and adults to cycle the roads safely. Active Cumbria run a successful programme in primary schools throughout the academic year which progresses from Level 1 to Level 3.
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British Cycling Organised Rides
British Cycling offer free guided rides for families, groups or people on their own. The sessions are led by knowledgeable and trained Ride Leaders across Cumbria.
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British Cycling Community Group Rides
British Cycling provide details of free local cycling group rides that are happening in your area. A number of rides, led by Breeze Champions, are specifically for women and for any ability.
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Wheels for All
Wheels for All provides inclusive cycling activities for children and adults with disabilities and differing needs. There are sites in Kendal, Barrow and at Watchtree Wheelers, near Carlisle. Wheels for All hold open sessions as well as providing supported bike rides that take place across Cumbria.
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Watchtree Wheelers
Watchtree Wheelers is a volunteer organisation near Carlisle that hire, fix, sell and teach people to ride bikes. People of all ages and abilities can ride in a safe, traffic free environment. With an extensive fleet of bikes, adapted bikes and trikes to hire, most needs can be met. Even if you can’t ride, you can join in the fun on a companion cycle.
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Rebike Community Cycle Hub
Rebike is based in Carlisle. They take donated bikes from the community, fix them up and then sell them on as used bikes. The Hub also provides social rides in the Carlisle area led by volunteers.
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Repair Cafes
Repair Cafes are becoming increasingly widespread across Cumbria. These Repair Cafes help to fix broken things, including bikes and clothes. There are cafes based in Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Penrith, Brampton and Ulverston to name just a few.
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Cycling Groups
As your confidence grows, you may want to join a cycling group. There are groups for all abilities and interests. Cycling UK have compiled a full list of those groups based in Cumbria.
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Ulverston Bike Project
The Ulverston Bike Project restores and rebuilds donated second-hand bikes so they can be sold at a price everyone can afford. Available at the Ulverston Market Hall on Wednesday afternoons.
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Love to Ride
With Love to Ride you can track your cycling miles, earn cycling points, see your carbon savings, set goals and find help and support to ride more often. A mobile app is available to download too.
Challenge yourself
Setting yourself goals can provide you with the motivation to cycle, walk or wheel for more of your journeys.
Street Tag
Keep active with the app!
Street Tag is a free mobile app that incentivises you to be physically active every day. Points are gained by actively travelling to and from places, in addition to scanning virtual tags that have been scattered throughout your local area. Tags can be found on the route to school, in local parks, at local events, near your local shops, and en-route to work - more or less anywhere and everywhere making it really easy to join in the fun!
You can join as an individual or as part of a team and play against other teams. Your team is ranked based on how many points you have managed to collect. It’s a fun way to stay active and spend time with your friends.
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Get Active
The NHS promotes 2 mobile apps to help support people to move more every day
Active 10
This app allows you to track how much and how fast you have walked. To keep things interesting, it gives you goals to work towards and rewards your progress.
Couch to 5K
This is a running programme for absolute beginners which has helped millions of people to start running.
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Feet First 5-day Challenge
If you’re in school, or you have school aged children, your school can join the Feet First challenges. When you walk or use wheels to get to school, your school can win prizes, and you get cool goodies too! If you want more info, just contact the Active Travel to School team by activetravel@activecumbria.org or go to their website.
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Active Cumbria Activity Finder
Find a new sport or activity on the Activity Finder. With hundreds of clubs across Cumbria from over 40 sports, there’s a wide range of activities to get involved in.
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Celebrate your success
If you have a story to share about your walking, wheeling or cycling adventures, we’d love to hear it! Get in touch using the Contact Us form and we’ll be thrilled to celebrate your success with you.