Sustrans is helping local people to take more active journeys through its Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hubs. Our five hubs across the region have supported people in accessing employment opportunities, taught refugees how to cycle, and improved overall physical and mental health for everyone.
Our Walking and Cycling Hubs have supported hundreds of people to access their own cycles. Pictured (left to right) Adeseye, Graham and David. Credit: Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hub/Sustrans
Supporting communities across the region
The hubs, which are located near to routes on the Network, provide cycling sessions to improve confidence along with affordable cycles, bike maintenance workshops and advice on local walking, wheeling and cycling routes and more.
The hubs were set up in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority in 2023 as part of its 20-year programme to tackle transport and health inequalities and get more people walking, wheeling or cycling short journeys across the region.
Since then so many people have benefitted from the hubs in lots of different ways.
It has been a really good help. Learning, building up my confidence, being around people.
Paulina (left) and Nina, from Namibia, received bikes and training from the Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hubs, making a positive impact on their lives and their sense of independence
Gaining independence and confidence
Becky also learnt how to cycle with help from our teams in the hub based in Redcar. She said:
“I wanted to learn how to ride a bike, so I can go out with my boys and help them cycle to school.
“I also want to use a bike as a means of transport as I don’t drive – so I spoke to Lou at the Hub about cycle lessons. The lessons have helped me a lot and are good fun.
“I couldn’t ride a bike at all before but right now I can do laps of the park and I am getting much more confident.”
Becky learnt how to cycle with help from our teams in the Redcar Hub. Credit: Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hub/Sustrans
The demand for access to walking and cycling
The hubs' social cycle rides for beginners provide a great opportunity to meet new people, build confidence on a bike and get outside in the fresh air.
In 2024, 647 people took part in these guided rides and numbers continue to rise, showing a demand in the region for these types of active events.
Cutting costs with active travel
Simplice uses the bike he got from one of the hubs to get to work. He commented:
“I got my bike from the hub and this was a great decision I made. I will definitely use my bike every day to work and this has helped me save a lot in transportation while benefitting me in my physical fitness.
“Cycling with the hub I have learnt to have more patience working with people at different levels of cycling from beginners to intermediate.
“If you’re still thinking if you should join the hub do not hesitate to make that decision now. You won’t regret it.”
"This has helped me save a lot in transportation while benefitting me in my physical fitness." Credit: Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hub/Sustrans
Working in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority
Exercise on prescription
Our Stockton Hub also acts as a pilot social prescribing project for walking, cycling and wheeling.
The project provides exercise on prescription for common health conditions and measures the benefits of people walking, wheeling and cycling.
Tees Valley has some of the highest levels of physical inactivity in the UK, with around 35% of residents doing no physical activity at all (2022).
So, these hubs continue to be crucial for local people's health and wellbeing.
Boosting mental health
Ashley, a Hartlepool Walking and Cycling Hub participant spoke about how the maintenance classes and guided rides have helped his mental health. He said:
“I have depression, and I just wasn’t going out.
“The health worker asked me what I like doing. I said I like cycling and fixing bikes. She referred me to the Walking and Cycling Hub in Hartlepool.
“I joined a bike maintenance class and every week I go out on different guided bike rides. They’re around five to 12 miles long.
“Now instead of staying in the house not talking to anyone, I’m going outside, getting some exercise and a good chat. I’m able to talk to someone I trust. I’m not keeping my worries inside.
“We could be talking about nothing, but it helps. I’m also cycling more on my own too.”
Ashley's mental health has benefitted from the services provided by our Hartlepool Hub. Credit: Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hub/Sustrans
Supporting local schools
Grangetown Primary School in Middlesbrough had over 20 cycles serviced by its local hub and 52 of their pupils attended a maintenance class hosted by Sustrans.
Jessica, who’s on the Grangetown Primary Leadership Team, said:
“The Sustrans bike maintenance class was incredibly beneficial for the children at our school.
"Many of our students don’t own bikes or lack the confidence to repair them, so this workshop provided them with valuable skills and knowledge.
“In an area where bike ownership is limited, the session encouraged children to feel more confident in maintaining and riding bikes. It was a great way to inspire interest in cycling and promote independence, especially in a community where access to bikes can be a challenge.
“The class was a fantastic opportunity for the children and all children were engaged with the hands-on session. We will definitely book in another session.”
Sustrans hosted a bike maintenance class at Grangetown Primary School in Middlesbrough. Credit: Sustrans
