The Travel Actively programme offers a special menu of activities designed to make people feel good and stay healthy. The activities aren’t just about getting exercise, but also about making friends, building skills and learning exciting new things.
In addition to sessions aimed at developing people’s confidence, the Travel Actively programme also looks to develop the skills of volunteers in the community. This will ensure the benefits of the programme continue beyond the end of the pilot in October 2026.
The activities detailed below are currently offered in the pilot areas of Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle only. For details of events and activities happening elsewhere in Cumbria, see a helping hand.
Free inclusive sessions to develop skills and confidence on your bike. Beginning on a safe off-road cycle track and developing to confident road riding. Open to all ages and abilities. Bikes and helmets provided if needed.
Group cycle rides led by our trained volunteers or staff. These rides are open to all and each route will give a description to see if it meets your needs. This will be a great chance to try out your new cycling skills in a friendly group.
We offer two types of free bike maintenance training. Our one-day course is suitable for those wanting to learn how to undertake everyday repairs, like a puncture. The two-day course is suitable for volunteers wanting to work as bike mechanics and provides more advanced bike repair skills.
Get your bike fixed for free! Weekly workshops are held in Barrow Park Pavilion and Rebike Community Cycle Hub in Carlisle. These are bike workshops where you can bring your bikes down to get free repairs done while you wait.
Why not take part in a led Wellbeing walk? These are short, free and easy walks designed to be accessible for all. They are held across Cumbria. For more information visit Wellbeing Walks.
The Travel Actively Fund (TAF) is providing funding for organisations that work with, or plan to work with, people from targeted audiences to encourage and enable more everyday journeys to be undertaken by walking, wheeling or cycling in the Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness areas.
We are offering communities in Barrow and Carlisle the chance to trial an e-bike for a 6 month period, for just £10 per month! The bikes are to provide an active way to travel locally for short purposeful journeys, such as cycling to work or the shops. Applications are open from 30th April 2025. Early applications are advised due to an expected high demand. If you would like any further information before applying please contact us.
If you are an organisation that has an activity or idea that will encourage and help people to be more active by walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys in Carlisle and Barrow, you may be eligible to apply to the Travel Actively Fund (TAF) for support. The Travel Actively Fund is already helping to deliver community-led active travel projects in these areas. More information on the eligibility criteria and process for applying can be found on the Active Cumbria website.
Our Travel Actively teams in Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle host events and activities throughout the year to encourage and support our targeted audiences to build confidence, gain skills and begin to travel actively.
For some activities and events, booking is essential and attendance should be registered through the Eventbrite links provided. Where booking is not required, please join us five minutes prior to the start of the event or drop-in at any point during the session times.
If you would like more information on any of the listings below, please use the contact us form.
Drop-in to Rebike at Unit 12, Old Mitchell Dryers Works, Denton Street, Carlisle, CA2 5AA for your bike to be fixed for free.
A variety of free sessions designed to develop your cycling skills from learn-to-ride, to improve your skills, to getting safe on the roads. These sessions are a great opportunity for people to increase their cycling skills and confidence in a safe environment. You are welcome to bring your own bike and helmet, if you have them, or request that a bike and helmet be provided. We welcome both individuals and groups of people. Booking is essential so please use the Eventbrite links to confirm your place.
A beginner bike session for children, adults and families to learn to ride or refresh their beginner skills and build confidence.
An intermediate bike session for children, adults and families to develop their bike skills and to practice their cycling ready for roads.
A bike session on the roads for children, adults and families to develop their bike skills and to practice their cycling.
Full details of these short, easy walks will be posted on our Facebook page. Just choose which walk you want to attend and follow the instructions to attend these free walks. Upcoming walks are listed below but more are added regularly.
This free training course delivered Stage 1 Cycles on behalf of Cycling UK is ideal for people and organisations who want to lead bike rides for groups in their local community. Booking is essential so please use the Eventbrite links find out more and to confirm your place.
This free training is ideal for people and organisations who want to lead wellbeing walks in their local community. This certified training from Ramblers provides insurance for the walk leaders as well as the skills and qualifications needed. Booking is essential so please use the Eventbrite links find out more and to confirm your place.
A variety of free sessions designed to develop your cycling skills from learn-to-ride, to improve your skills, to getting safe on the roads. These sessions are a great opportunity for people to increase their cycling skills and confidence in a safe environment. Although we prefer it if you can bring your own bike and helmet, if you need to request use of a bike and helmet please contact us. We welcome both individuals and groups of people. Booking is essential so please use the Eventbrite links to secure your place.
Balance Bike Confidence Session
A Balance Bike confidence session for pre-school children (2-4 years), delivered by Bikeability instructors from Stage 1 Cycles. This event takes place on the brand new trail at Abbots Vale Community Centre. The sessions are aimed at youngsters aged 2-4 years, who are developing confidence with balancing on bikes, but are not yet ready for pedals.
Learn to Pedal Confidence Session
A Learn to Pedal Bike development session for children confident on balance bikes, and ready for using bikes with pedals. Stage 1 Cycles Bikeability Instructors will deliver the course, taking place at the brand new trail at Abbots Vale Community Centre. This is aimed at youngsters ready to move on to bikes with pedals, after mastering balance on balance bikes.
Open Session - Ride the brand new North Walney Infrastructure
An open session for all ages, to ride the new cycle lane – children accompanied by an adult.
We invite you to come and ride the new North Walney Cycling Lane, guided by Stage 1 Cycles instructors. We will meet at Park Vale Sports Stadium, where there is parking available, and cycle to Earnse Bay, then back along to Vickerstown Park, then return to Park Vale Sports Stadium. Bring your own refreshments. Rest breaks will be included, plus advice and tips on how to safely use the brand new cycle path. Bikes and helmets can be provided, with advance notice. We have E Bikes/E Trikes/Brompton Bikes and regular Bikes.
A warm up and assessment will take place on the athletics track at Park Vale, prior to setting off. The ride in total is expected to last 60 minutes-90 minutes.
Upcoming dates
Booking details will be provided shortly for further sessions on:
Barrow on Bikes vounteers will be carrying out free basic bike repairs and checks. Drop-in with your bike between 10am and 2pm.
Full details of these short, easy walks will be posted on our Facebook page. Just choose which walk you want to attend and follow the instructions to attend these free walks.
Further details of this event will be provided shortly. Use the contact us form if you have any enquiries.
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Siona from our Travel Actively team will be there to provide support (registration with Barrow Parkrun prior to starting is essential).
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