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Meet a local cyclist in your area

Are you new to your city? Or are you new to your bike? Do you want someone friendly to go on rides with?

Two women standing next to each other on a bridge smiling at the camera, with their bikes on a bridge

What is Bike Buddies?

If you join Bike Buddies, we willl introduce you to a confident cyclist who lives near your home. It’s great to go on rides with another person and Bike Buddies also gives you the chance to make a new friend. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, there’s something for everyone. Here are some things your Buddy can help you with…

  • They can boost your confidence cycling on the road, and encourage you to try new routes to places you want to go
  • Share the rules of the road and help you to ride safety
  • Show you tips and techniques to take care of your bike
  • Act as your new companion to explore by bike with!

The Bike Project also arranges group rides, if there is a ride happening near where you live then we will send you an invite via Whatsapp!

🚲 Who will I be matched with?

We will match you with one of our volunteers who is a confident and experienced cyclist. Our volunteers are bike enthusiasts who are keen to ride with new people and encourage them to enjoy cycling in their area! They support the work that The Bike Project does and want to help you get the most out of your new bike!

🚲 What is the time commitment?

You will go on 3 rides with your Buddy at a time that suits you- but if you want to keep cycling together after your three rides, then that’s okay!

🚲 How do I sign up?

CLICK HERE to register for Bike Buddies, we will then send you an application form.

When there is someone available in your area, you will get a message from us telling you who your Buddy is. Next, your Buddy will contact you to arrange a time and place for your first meet-up!

🚲 What if there is an issue?

If you decide you no longer want to meet up with your Buddy, you can tell your Buddy (they will understand), send a message to the Bike Buddies manager and let them know, or email us at bikebuddies@thebikeproject.co.uk. We are here to support you, please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns!

🚲 Watch what happens…

How to get started…

If you have received a bike from The Bike Project, CLICK HERE to register for Bike Buddies.

1

We will match you with a Bike Buddy – who will then contact you to arrange your first ride.

2

You go on three cycles together, getting to know good places to ride in your local area.

3

CLICK HERE to register for Bike Buddies.

1

We will match you with a Bike Buddy – who will then contact you to arrange your first ride.

2

You go on three cycles together, getting to know good places to ride in your local area.

3

Denise and Jainaba

Denise and Jainaba became Bike Buddies at the start of 2023.

I got my bike in December 2022. Having a bike has helped me in my mental health. when i feel down, I just take my bike and ride it, and I will be active again. It has help me very well in managing my stress.

I joined Bike buddies these past months, and I am so grateful. My experience with my bike buddy has been amazing. we went to different places around my area, which I never knew of, and I am enjoying it a lot… she is always looking after me when we go bike riding…which I appreciate alot – Jainaba

Jack and Saad

Saad received his bike from us in June 2019 and when he found out about the Bike Buddies programme, was immediately interested in taking part. He said:

“I wanted to experience it and found it interesting. With a volunteer, I can discover places calmly and it gives you vitality when riding a bike.

Bike Buddies volunteer, Jack, was equally as excited to take part:

“I found out about The Bike Project through Twitter, and I applied to the Bike Buddies scheme after seeing a particular tweet about there being a small number of places left on the training day. After a great day of training with other volunteers, I was hugely excited to get started and meet my first bike buddy.”

Through this befriending programme, we have matched over 300 people with local cyclists in their area!

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