Wyre Launch 'Active Travel' Programme

Wyre Launch 'Active Travel' Programme

21st of March, 2024

Following a grant fund of £30,000 from Lancashire County Council’s Travel Activation project, Wyre Council is pleased to be working with local partners Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust and GoVelo Ltd to deliver the new Active Travel Programme.

The aim is to enable more people in Wyre to take part in ‘active travel,’ by choosing to walk and cycle for regular, short journeys, such as walking to school, cycling to work or other regular journeys people make to get from place to place. Active travel is a convenient, accessible and affordable way for everyone to move more.

Wyre Council have planned a 12-month series of events and activities all designed to make active travel more accessible to people of all ages and promote the many benefits being more active brings. 

Current Health statistics in Wyre show that at least 25% of adults in Wyre do not meet the physical activity recommendations. This programme is designed to reduce this by providing more opportunities for people to easily increase their physical activity.

To launch this new Active Travel programme, the Council is holding an exciting event at Marine Hall Gardens on Thursday 4 April from 12pm until 4pm. You can enjoy a wide range of fun activities, find plenty of helpful advice and take part in some taster sessions of the new events and activities available within the programme.

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement said:

“We’re really excited to launch this new programme and expand the existing active travel opportunities like our popular Wyre Wheels programme and the Social Cycling sessions.

“It is fantastic to be able to provide more ways in which the community can enjoy the great outdoors of Wyre and live healthier and independent for longer.

“Please do join in with the free launch event to learn more about how the programme can help you.”

Join us at this event to find out how fun Active Travel can be! There’ll be:

  • Bike Maintenance
  • Dr Bike
  • Skateboarding lessons
  • Live Like Ralph Skateboarders
  • Scooters
  • Kid’s Balance/Pedal bikes
  • Bike Stamping
  • Time Trials
  • Led Walks and Rides
  • Bump & Buggy Walks
  • Smoothie Bike
  • Xplorer Event
  • Inflatable Family Games

The new events, sessions and activities that make up the Active Travel programme in 2023/24 include;

Dr Bike

Ready to diagnose any problems, Dr Bike will have pop-up sessions across Wyre ready to help remedy all of your bike problems. This scheme is delivered by GoVelo Ltd. For more information please contact [email protected] 

Bike Referral Scheme

Wyre Council has received aver 100 new or preowned bikes ready to be upcycled and donated to those in need across the borough. To benefit from one of the bikes you must be referred by a partner organisation with a strong case detailing your needs. More details of this exciting project and a list of partner organisations who can refer, will be available on the Wyre Council website soon.

Bike Maintenance

A free course, customised to participants needs, that will teach cyclists the basics on bike maintenance. This scheme is delivered by GoVelo Ltd. For more information, please contact [email protected] 

Sofa to Saddle

The sessions aim to get people motivated and moving, this can be perfect for someone on a weight loss journey or even someone wanting to get fitter and healthier. For those who want a structured 9-week course like couch to 5k, getting you from zero to cycling hero. These courses will run across Wyre, utilising local cycle paths, the beautiful coastline and rural areas. This scheme is delivered by GoVelo Ltd. For more information, please contact [email protected] 

Learn to Ride

This Cycle Training course is targeting people who never learnt to cycle or those who haven’t been on a bike for years and want to regain their confidence. Friendly and qualified instructors will help participants with balance, confidence and cycling skills and have people riding around in no time. Bikes & Helmets can be borrowed on the day if needs be. This scheme is delivered by GoVelo Ltd. For more information, please email [email protected]

Bump and Buggy Walk

A friendly new walk and talk group for parents with new-born children to aid in recovery and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Meet other parents with similar age children, make new friends and have fun in our small group settings exploring some of Wyre’s most beautiful areas with your little ones! No booking required. Delivered in partnership with Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust & Wyre Council Communities Team. For more information, please email [email protected]

Active Travel Primary School Programme

Wyre Council has commissioned Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust to provide the Active Travel Primary School Programme. This is split between 2 projects:

- Scootsafe, a 2-hour programme working with Year 3 and 4 children to teach children about Scooters safely.

- Tots on Tyres, a 10-week programme working with children in Reception and Year 1 to develop children’s balance and cycling skills at an early age.

For more information on the courses, or if you would like to find out if your child’s school is getting involved, please contact [email protected]

Wyre Wheels

Wyre Wheels is an all-inclusive cycling programme offering participants the opportunity to ride adapted bicycles including trikes, side-by-sides, hand bikes, quad and wheelchair bikes. We welcome anyone to attend the sessions, whether you are disabled, have limited mobility, recovering from illness or injury, elderly or just want to get back on a bike. Sessions begin at Memorial Park, Fleetwood every Friday 10am – 1pm. The cost is £4 per session, there is no need to book, just turn up. Last entry is at 12.30pm.

Social Cycling

If you would like to get out and about, cycling with others or as a family group, these short and relaxed pace rides might be just the motivation you need. Sessions are held in Fleetwood, meeting at Marine Hall at 10am - 11am every Friday between 5 April - 25 October 2024. These sessions are free, no booking is needed. Adult bikes and helmets will be provided.

To learn more about the events, activities and sessions that make up the new Active Travel programme be sure to join the launch event at Marine Hall Gardens on Thursday 4 April from 12pm until 4pm.