Personal stories

Ordered most recent

A woman on her recumbent trike with Swansea Bay in the background. She's smiling at the camera, wearing sunglasses and a helmet.

I love my recumbent trike, but barriers stop me from going where others can: Debbie's story

A male school teacher stood smiling in the sunshine in Tower Hamlets in London holding a bike and wearing a lanyard and a whistle around his neck

The barriers children at my school face when it comes to cycling: Jakir's story

A person with tattoos and glasses in a powered wheelchair crossing a road at a Toucan crossing on a sunny day in Liverpool

Feeling excluded on my own streets: Snoof's story

A woman wearing a pink top smiling in the sunshine while sat on her trike

Wheeling in my area has introduced me to a new community: Joanne’s story

Sally standing on Aberystwyth promenade beside her XYZ e-cargo cycle holding up a cup of Masala chai.

The bike-based business in Aberystwyth with big ambitions

Nia on her e-bike with an attachment on the back, on the coastline.

Borrowing an e-bike changed my relationship with cycling: Nia’s story

A woman leading a cycling session and a teenage girl on a bike

Improving the wellbeing of young people as an I Bike volunteer: Your stories

Michael litter picking with his Brompton on National Cycle Network Route 7 in Renfrewshire alongside the Thursday Squad.

Volunteering helped me recover from a life-changing collision: Michael’s story

An E-Move project beneficiary smiling whilst looking at the camera, stood astride her e-bike on a residential street.

Combatting health inequalities in my community with active travel: Hannah’s story

Mark Evans, a registered blind person, meets his MP Tonia Antoniazzi in Swansea. They stand together outside her office with Mark's guide dog, Bobby.

Telling my MP how I navigate our streets with a sight impairment

Fay Anderson is pictured at home wearing a red top and floral scarf.

Why older people should be involved when it comes to improving infrastructure

A man sat on his mobility scooter smiling on a section of the Network in Doncaster

How the Trans Pennine Trail helped get me mobile again

Wesley's blueprint for inclusive urban parks: The Ripple Greenway story

An older man on his knees with his arms in the air looking relieved at the Land's End signpost at the end of a long cycle across the length of the UK

Cycling the length of the UK at 90

Trev (right) and Olie's (left) from MediaKind. Photo credit: Trevor Cullen and Olie Baumann.

MediaKind staff ditch planes for bikes at international convention

Ceri's journey to cost savings, confidence and wellbeing with e-bikes

Living car-free with a young child

Pupils and parents in the Shawlands Bike Bus, Glasgow, travelling to school together

We want to cycle to school safely so our Bike Bus is a protest: Katherine's story

Adele and Rikki Lidderdale are pictured walking in Papdale Park, Orkney. They are following their son Remi, who is riding a bicycle.

This is why I'm urging people to embrace an active school run: Adele's story

A woman with short red hair is looking straight at the camera and smiling.

Challenge yourself to be more active: Fiona's story

From transporting freezers to family outings across Scotland: Your cargo bike stories

A man wearing glasses and a black t-shirt stood in front of a hedge giving a thumbs up while smiling

My free bike has become my main form of transport while seeking asylum: Mustafa's story

A young white woman smiling wearing a pink jumper stood with her electric foldable cycle outside of her home in Manchester

Cycling with endometriosis: Bryony’s story

An older man and woman stood next to each other in a town both smiling

Walking has changed our lives: The Sustrans volunteers who discovered the joys of walking later in life

Norman Feakins, an e-bike rider in his 70s, looking at his map of the National Cycle Network.

Discovering the National Cycle Network after 70: Norman's story

Jon Jewitt is pictured standing in front of a tunnel on National Cycle Network 7

A health scare made me determined to keep active: Jon's story

The steps I took to redesign a physical barrier on the National Cycle Network: Josh's story

Noelle O'Neill is pictured in front of a railing with trees in the background.

Walking enables me to connect with the world: Noelle's story

Karen Wilson is pictured with her bicycle in an Edinburgh park

Back on the saddle after 38 years: Karen's story

Selfie-style photo of Rachel, close up

Walking needs to be safer for visually impaired people: Rachael's story

Sara and Vince, Sustrans volunteers standing next to a millenium milepost.

How volunteering led to romance on National Cycle Route 1

Mark, wearing a waterproof jacket, walking in a local park surrounded by grass and trees

Facing pavement parking with a guide dog: Mark's story

Alisha, standing on the pavement next to a main road waiting to cross, as the sun is setting behind her.

Navigating a busy city with an invisible disability: Alisha's story

Dennis in her electric wheelchair, wheeling down a high street in Manchester past a rainbow-coloured planter box.

The challenges faced when making local journeys in a wheelchair: Dennis' story

A woman wearing a red coat and black coat is standing outside holding the lead of her Golden Retriever guide-dog.

Why every journey is an adventure: June’s story, Northern Ireland

A man, a woman, a teenage boy and young girls are collecting litter along a secluded path.

Cathal brings North West Greenway Network to life with biodiversity

An image of Sustrans volunteer, Lauren, whilst she's out on a litter pick. The image shows Lauren, in a high-vis tabard, in front of some greenery, holding a litter picker and looking into the camera.

Lauren’s story: My experiences working and volunteering for Sustrans

Laura sat smiling on her red XCR handcycle, on a traffic-free path. Behind Laura is a picket fence and green verge.

How an e-assisted handcycle changed my life: Laura’s story

A woman with dark hair and blue top is holding a silver award.

Cycle training leads to a new career path for volunteer Monica

The benefits of walking in winter: Your stories

How Sustrans’ e-bike project helped an Aberystwyth resident start a business, exercise, and volunteer

Jane pictured on her recumbent where a barrier had previously stopped her accessing the National Cycle Network.

Why a barrier-free National Cycle Network is so important: Jane’s story

Kirsty Lewin pictured on her e-bike on Portobello Promenade

How I use my bike as a mobility aid: Kirsty’s story

Two young women stood close together smiling in front of Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on a summer's day, with blue skies above.

Getting active and forming friendships

Sarah stands outside a cycle hub in Belfast with a black electric bike. She is wearing a helmet and smiling. The day looks dry and fine.

Leading the way with Sustrans' e-bike scheme in Belfast

Using an e-bike gave me the fitness and confidence boost I needed: Mark's story

Upclose shot of man's face, he is smiling and wearing a straw and stood in front of a red tractor.

How a community agriculture project benefitted from an e-cycle project

Policy consultations 20% car reduction

Living without a car: Your stories

A young boy riding a bike over a small ramp in front of a row of shops in a residential area

Community bike hub gave me the confidence to cycle with my kids

A closeup of a young person with glasses and a black baseball hat on smiling at the camera

Volunteering for Sustrans improved my mental health during lockdown: Rowan's story

Sustrans ecology volunteer Will Duckworth Looking interestedly at A Tree Branch

Restoring biodiversity to the National Cycle Network: Will’s story

How a free bike changed my life: Nicola’s story

A close up of a black Labrador guide dog called Webbly. He's wearing a guiding harness which is being held by a person out of shot, the pair are stood beside a bench on the Bristol Bath Railway Path.

Being blind and getting active on the National Cycle Network and beyond

Little boy leaning over a stone wall looking at the countryside views on his commute to school as part of Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel

Ditching the car for an active school run

Teacher, Fran Hoare, Pictured Outside Of Her School, Tir Morfa, Which Is Located In Rhyl, North Wales during Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel

How my additional learning needs school is taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel

Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl with her bike, outside her place of work, Belfast City Hall.

Cycle training gave me new found confidence: Belfast Lord Mayor

Nicholas Collins with his bike before bikepacking trip

Bikepacking the Lôn Las Cymru: Nick's story

Graham Hill on Sustrans’ side-by-side tandem bike at the Active Travel Hub in C.S. Lewis Square, Belfast. with Brain Injury Matters staff

Back in the saddle with a side-by-side tandem bike

Meabh Cormacain with her e-bike outside the Sustrans active travel hub

Trying to go car-free on an e-bike in Belfast - Meabh's story

Social Prescribing Link Worker Emma takes a selfie in a London street. She wears a yellow cycling helmet and a row of bikes are parked in the street behind her.

Social prescribing: How more people are getting active with prescriptions to walk and cycle

Ying cycles through a leafy tree-lined park, whilst learning to ride a bike.

How I learned to ride a bike as an adult: Ying’s story

Amanda Baldwin on Exe Estuary Trail

Walking 3,650 miles in 2021: Amanda's story

Adam with his carer Gemma on the Water Rail Way, Lincolnshire

New adventures on the Water Rail Way: Linda and Adam's story

Sophie Brown of Steppin Sistas smiles for a selfie whilst walking a path.

Sharing the wonders of walking with women of colour

Linda and Tony Dobbs at Dunnet Head

E-biking John o’Groats to Land’s End: Tony’s tips

Pregnant woman on a cargo bike in a side street. The bike is loaded with equipment and has a rain cover.

Cycling through the last months of pregnancy: Lucy’s story

Group of men and women pictured at a mile post on Sustrans National Cycle Network -Route 92. The walking group are exploring the route along the Foyle river

Walking along the historic Foyle: Hazel's Story

How cycling changed my life: The story of a Vietnamese author in Scotland

Woman looking at sunset

Finding ways to move more when working from home: Kasia's story

Seflie with Abi and Lilith, smiling with their thumbs up, wearing cycling helmets and standing with their bikes in a green park.

The communities carving out a space in cycling that is radical, inclusive and fun

Saika dressed in a pink coat and headscarf, receiving a certificate from a Sustrans officer, standing in front of Saika's new bike.

It's never too late to fall in love with cycling: Saika and Shaima's story

Colin takes a selfie with Diane in the background, holding a bottle of prosecco. Both are in neon cycling gear overlooking a river. Colin wears an excellent spotty hat.

Love on the National Cycle Network: How a tandem-biking blind date brought a couple together

Lucy Dance, out for a cycle with partner

Cycling through the early months of pregnancy: Lucy’s story

cyclist on Castleford Greenway

From train line to cycle route: Enjoying 70 years of Yorkshire’s Castleford Greenway

Woman learns to ride a bike

It's more than just learning to cycle, it's building a community: Cycling Sisters' story

Jane, white female, stands with her maroon Dutch-style cycle on a gravel path on the edge of a sports field. Jane has cropped white hair and is wearing a black coat and blue jeans. There are several football posts in the field behind her, and trees in the distance.

Returning to cycling: Jane's story

Being able to cycle independently with a disability is priceless: Amanda's story

Kelly, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, sitting on her ICE trike - an adapted bicycle - smiling at the camera.

We’ve spent thousands of pounds on a bike and we can’t access the National Cycle Network: Kelly's Story

Caroline wearing a black and pink waterproof jacket, black trousers and her cycle helmet, standing with her bicycle.

Regaining confidence through cycling: Caroline's story

My Low Traffic Neighbourhood: Nicki's story

Liverpool Labour Councillor, Sharon Connor, standing with her bike on a residential paved street wearing a helmet and a black waterproof jacket.

Why I got the cycling bug during Lockdown and don’t want to stop: Sharon's story

A lifetime of cycling: Anne's story

Doctor Matthew Jackson wearing lycra leggings, a waterproof jacket and a helmet, standing with his bike outside his GP surgery

What it's like as a doctor cycling during the pandemic: Matthew's story

Gaining independence through cycling: Isobel's story

boy on bike next to Scotland sign

Cycling to Scotland from North Wales: 10-year-old Rupert's Story

Living car-free in Cardiff: Hannah's story

Learning to cycle no longer felt like an option, it felt like my responsibility: Sarah's story

Tandem cycling during lockdown: Danny's story

Cycling on three wheels: choosing a cargo bike over the family car

Tom standing with his bike and helmet at Bristol Temple Meads in the dark

Cycling from Land's End to Bristol in 24 hours: Tom's story

Cycling helped to keep us sane during lockdown

Cycling to work in a new city during the Covid-19 pandemic: Vandy's story

Cycling during the Coronavirus pandemic: Leoni's story

Tierney cycling on her blue e-bike along the coast

How cycling helped me recover from Coronavirus

Our women engineers shape UK streets and places

Cycling with children during lockdown

Jill with her electric step through crossover bike

At first I couldn’t even turn the pedals, now we regularly do 40-50 km rides

Man wearing glasses, hood, black cycling helmet and high-vis jacket on cycle path

Exercising to relieve anxiety during lockdown

Wild flowers

Learning about nature on daily walks

Providing emergency food deliveries by cargo bike

Kirsten, wearing a helmet and stood with her bike smiling at the camera

Cycling is a critical mode of transport for key workers to get to and from work during COVID-19

By Guest Blogger

Kristen wearing sunglasses pictured with her husband on a beach

What it’s like living car-free

pupils on bikes with their Sustrans I Bike cycle training instructor

Why I volunteer with I Bike: Richard, Hanne and Jo's stories

Rob Winslade riding his trailer on the Spen Valley Greenway

My life as a Sustrans Ranger: Rob's story

A view of the Trans Pennine Trail from on top of the horse

Riding my horse across the Trans Pennine Trail: Sarah's story

Person in running kit brandishing litter picking tool

Running, keeping fit and helping my local community on the National Cycle Network

How cycling made us healthier and happier: Steve and Debra's stories

Gordon Miller stands with his bike wearing a 'ride for freedom' red jersey

My charity cycling challenge is a win-win: Gordon’s story

Why considering CO2 emissions has led me to fall in love with cycling all over again: Lizzie’s story

A female poses with her bike in a park

I'm a National Cycle Network addict: Margaret's story

Gwyneth poses with her bike in front of a wall

Cycling changed my life: Gwyneth’s story

By Guest Blogger

Sara Ladkani Knowles and her child on the bristol to bath railway path

Why I moved house to be near a cycle path: Sara's story

National Cycle Network route sign with two school children walking in background

How a handcycle opened up the world of cycling to me: Tina's story

By Guest Blogger

A Cyclist And Walkers On Caledonia Way

Why did I choose to do a cycle ride, I could just have done a bake sale? Gaia's story

By Guest Blogger

Man wearing glasses, black cycling helmet and high-vis jacket

Using the National Cycle Network to manage my mental health

Breaking the myths around electric bikes: Clare's story

Keeping it in the family: Cycling LEJOG on the National Cycle Network

By Guest Blogger

How an e-bike helped me get my health back on track

By Guest Blogger

Two People Ride Along The LEJOG Route

An epic cycle challenge with my family

By Guest Blogger

Man with Down Syndrome and older man riding tandem tricycle on traffic-free path

Using the National Cycle Network in my role as a carer

Close up on woman cycling

Cycle training gave me confidence to commute to work by bike

Penny stood next to a millennium milepost on the National Cycle Network

Walking to stay active after retirement: Penny's story

Bike in a shopping street

Starting the year car-free: Mara's story

By Guest Blogger

A road bike with a blue saddle bag is leant up against a backless wooden bench. Behind is a flat agricultural field on a sunny day in the countryside.

Why I still love cycling at 86: Sylvia's story

Man in black cycling top and red cycling helmet leaning on road bike handlebars

Cycling to work changed my life: Toby's story

Cyclists enjoying Quietways 1 route through south east London

Quietway 1 helped me conquer my fear of cycling in London: Ken's story

Selfie of Sustrans volunteer, Gordon, with a group of colleagues wearing helmets and posing with their bicycles

How I've made my workplace healthier: Gordon's story

Cycling for over half a century: Dennis's story

Adults and children walking and scooting

School run and commuting: A mum's secret to being on time

Woman sitting on bench with bike, in sunshine. ©2016, Jonathan Bewley, all rights reserved

Cycling to work: My path to health and happiness

Dad with daughter in bike seat and other child on own bike next to him

My year without a car

By Guest Blogger

Transformative tales from Lambeth's low traffic neighbourhoods

Paving the way for a more active future

A group of men and women cyclists wearing helmets and hi-visibility vests pose for a photograph outside the Ulster Museum with Botanic Gardens behind.

Cathedral Gardens Hub helps tackle city centre congestion

A man wearing a yellow helmet stands with a bicycle outside our Active Travel Centre in Derry.

Danny champions young people with workplace cycle training

Two people are shown using adapted bicycles in Stirling city centre

Breaking down barriers to cycling in Stirling

Inverness resident Judith is shown with an e-bike

No car? No problem - I’ve clocked 6,000 miles on my e-bike

A woman wearing a hi-vis vest stands in front of Cathedral Gardens Active Travel Hub in Belfast city centre.

Active Travel Hub a 'welcome beacon' in Belfast

A mum and her young son are shown in front of the Dunfermline Abbey.

Walking lets me enjoy the outdoors with my son: Dionne’s story

Paul Luttrell stands with his wife and two youngest sons as they sit on a tandem bike together in the sunshine.

Cycling, cancer and the Bristol & Bath Railway Path: Paul's story

Two women stood next to each other next to a National Cycle Network sign on a cloudy day by the coast in the UK. The photograph of the two friends was taken during their 80-mile cycle on the Bay Cycle Way in Lancaster.

I took up cycling again in my late 60s and haven’t looked back since: Clare's story

Two men in running race with runner number stickers on their shirts

Running, walking and cycling on my local traffic-free path