A landmark scheme asks what fully inclusive cycle hire could look like.

Wheels4Me is a flagship accessible cycle loan scheme launched in London in 2024. We are working with partners to show what is truly possible when disabled individuals are given the right advice and cycles suitable for their needs.

How it works

Following a phone consultation with a cycling advisor, participants receive a free, adapted cycle that suits them, such as a tricycle, hand cycle, or recumbent bike. The cycle is delivered to their location, along with training and insurance, to ensure they get the most from the experience.

The initiative is a collaboration between Sustrans, Wheels for Wellbeing and Peddle My Wheels with funding from the Motability Foundation. By working towards fully inclusive cycle hire, the service is making it easier for everyone to access the physical and mental health benefits of cycling.

To find out more about this service, go to www.wheels4me.co.uk or call the the Wheels4MeLondon specialist advice line on 020 7346 8482.

Welcome Ways supports people seeking asylum, refugees and other people in need with led rides on the Trans Pennine Trail.

These led rides increase cycling confidence, social connections, and introduce people to places in their local area.

Alex and Frank, Sustrans volunteers work with local organisations to meet and support new arrivals. Together, they have refurbished over 400 cycles and distributed them to people in Barnsley.

Any participants who don't have their own cycle are given one to use for the ride which they can keep afterwards.

Having access to a cycle supports people in accessing educational, voluntary and work opportunities.

"I am very happy and thankful for the rides. It's a great experience and I enjoy the lovely scenery.

It's good exercise and I like keeping fit. I enjoy meeting new people and it helps me with my language skills."

Adel, participant

The project is generously supported by organisations like the Refugee Council, Penistone Refugee, local trade unions and Asylum Seeker Support Network.

Get involved in this project: penistonebikedonations@outlook.com.

Warwickshire's longest greenway continues to grow with the installation of an impressive 50-tonne bridge.

This marks a huge step forward in our phased plan to transform this route into a completely traffic-free path.

Where it started

Spanning nearly five miles, National Route 41 between Leamington Spa and Rugby runs along an old railway line, the Lias Line.  

The bridge

Summer 2021 saw works start, including £5.1 million of upgrades to improve the surface along the branch route to Long Itchington, enabling easier access to walking, wheeling, and cycling. In October 2024, Sustrans completed the construction of a new 50-tonne bridge across the busy A423 to improve safety, and prepare for the next phase of improvements to the main line connecting Rugby and Leamington Spa.

What's next?

2025 will see further improvements to the main line, with the construction of a new bridge over the Fosse Way to fill a 120-metre gap, link the Lias Line and the Offchurch Greenway, and further extend the traffic-free section of National Route 41. 

Back in 2016, 30 restrictive barriers were removed on the Foss Islands path in York to improve accessibility.

Seven years on, we spoke to people who use the path about the impact of the changes to the barriers.

John, a recumbent trike user with left-side paralysis due to a stroke, now uses the path regularly to commute, shop, and socialise. He said:

"Cycling post-disability using the Network and getting out in the sunshine and nature frankly has had an amazing effect on my mental health.

They're not just access routes, they're social spaces – people gather, walk along and chat or stop on benches."

Our 2023 research shows that, on average, 45 trips per day are made by people using pushchairs, wheelchairs, and cargo bikes. Previously, restrictive barriers would hinder these journeys, demonstrating what a difference changes like these can make. Importantly, misuse by motorbikes or quadbikes was minimal, accounting for just 0.002% of trips.

By removing and redesigning barriers, we're creating inclusive, accessible routes that benefit everyone. 

Volunteers across the UK are making a real difference in their local area. Here are just a few examples of how their fantastic work is supporting more people to walk, wheel and cycle. 

Keeping cyclists safe

Volunteer Kerry has helped to keep cyclists safe, by supporting at some of the 70 cycle security events held across the West Midlands last year. She said:

"It's been great being part of a team working in the community fixing bikes, giving away security locks and helping people from all walks of life. Even helping move the kit was good as I knew it made a difference!"

1,700 people were supported at these events, but it is only with the hard work of volunteers that vital events like these can keep going.

Across Scotland, 72 volunteers have supported the Scottish Greenways National Cycle Network Link Path Audit project.

Volunteer, Bridget used her experience of working with community cycling groups in making improvements to active travel infrastructure to support the audit.

She tested out early versions of the auditing app with Sustrans employees, who have been very grateful for her help with the project. Bridget then completed 32 miles of auditing which involved cycling to some of the UK's most remote sections of the Network.

The Link Path Audit is now complete and the data will be used to support the improvement of accessibility to the Network in Scotland.

In 2024, over 480 miles of Network audited by volunteers in Scotland.

Hugh McClintock has been supporting Sustrans since 1981. He began cycle campaigning in the Nottingham area in 1979 as part of the group, Pedals, which he still campaigns for today.

How did you come to support Sustrans?  

It started with the Bennerley Viaduct... I went along to a meeting about it. This was about the time that Sustrans was formed, and John Grimshaw (Sustrans' founder) was there. For me, it's been very important to work closely with Sustrans on schemes to benefit cyclists in my area.

Why does supporting Sustrans matter to you?

The most important thing is good quality, well-designed, well-maintained infrastructure that's linked up.

You need training for both adults and kids, encouraging people to be safe. But good infrastructure is key, as people are then much more likely to try routes, and continue using them.  

Why do you continue to support Sustrans? 

It's the idea of the National Cycle Network, the aspiration of having a good standard network covering the entire country, urban and rural, for leisure and for daily use.

What would you like to say to other supporters?

Don't be discouraged. with campaigning, you expect things to be turned around easily, but it takes time. Particularly big, ambitious things like here in Nottingham, with the Waterside Foot-Cycle bridge. It's taken 10 years of campaigning, but work has now started, and Sustrans have been involved all along.  

As a Sustrans supporter and/or volunteer, you get 20% off Sustrans maps and guidebooks in our shop.

Use code: SPECIAL20 at checkout.

Cannot be used alongside any other offer.

Every purchase supports our work to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.

As we launch our bold new five-year strategy this summer, we are also making changes to our brand so we can inspire even more people to join us in transforming how we travel.

This is about more than a new name or logo. It's about creating a clearer, stronger identity that amplifies our voice and makes it easier for everyone to understand who we are, what we do and why it matters to them.

Together with donors, volunteers, partners and communities, we're better connecting neighbourhoods, and making the National Cycle Network work for everyone. But to create long-lasting change, we need the tools to help us clearly express what we stand for and inspire more people to join us on this journey. 

What to expect  

Rebranding is a careful process. Many of you may have shared your thoughts in our recent surveys, thank you.

Right now, we're working to build a new brand that will help us to better tell our story and connect with even more people.

Any changes we make to our materials will be introduced gradually to avoid waste wherever possible and to ensure a smooth transition from our current brand to our new one.

Are we changing our name?

The name 'Sustrans' has served us well over the years, but we've found that our name can be a barrier for many people. And our research shows that a clearer name would help more people understand who we are and what we do.

But we know our name has earned respect from a lot of people who support and work with us. That's why we're doing lots of research, testing ideas and approaching this decision with care.

This rebrand will help us tell our story clearly, demonstrate how our work is changing lives for the better and inspire even more people to join us.

Thank you for being part of this journey as we take this exciting step forwards together.