Gearing up for action: Cycle to School Week 5-9 Oct
Cycle to School Week is back for 2026!
From Monday 5 to Friday 9 October 2026, schools and families across the nation will be taking a new route to the school gate — one that’s quicker, healthier, cheaper and a whole lot more fun.
Cycle to School Week is a national celebration of everyday cycling. Whether you’re already rolling or just getting started, it’s your chance to build confidence, try something new, and discover how good the school run can feel on wheels.
- For more information, visit Cycle to School Week 2026 – Bikeability
Cycling in Solihull
Cycling is a great way to increase your fitness, boost your mental health, and to socialise. It’s also affordable which makes it an efficient way to get around. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, there are a range of cycling opportunities available within Solihull.
This page contains information on:
Upcoming Free Local Rides
Let’s Ride
You can join free led rides organised by British Cycling volunteers via the Let’s Ride website. The rides on offer cater for all different levels of fitness and abilities, ranging from ‘easy going’ leisure rides to ‘challenging’ rides. British Cycling label the rides under Guided Rides, Community Group Rides and Breeze Rides.
Go to Let’s Ride, and use the ‘Find a Ride’ search engine, to search ‘Solihull’ rides.
Community Group Rides: CycleSolihull
Organised by groups in the community, these free rides are a great way to meet new people, explore your local area and have fun riding your bike. You can find rides that are suitable for your level of experience and interests whilst enjoying being part of a social cycling community.
For more details, visit CycleSolihull webpage which also includes the Summer full ride programme 2026. Participants are advised to monitor the website and/or CycleSolihull Facebook page for any cancellations due to extreme weather.
Via the Let’s Ride portal, search ‘Solihull’ to find a CycleSolihull Community Group ride.
Breeze Rides: Solihull Breeze (16+, women only)
Since starting in 2022, Breeze Solihull has built a wonderful network of women to deliver a free led ride programme. Each ride is organised and guided by British Cycling trained female leaders and supported by an assistant, with an optional coffee stop on route. Whether you’re a regular rider or just rediscovering your love of cycling, Breeze Solihull offers encouragement, fun, and a strong sense of community in equal measure.
Book via the Let’s Ride portal. Search ‘Solihull’ to find a Solihull Breeze ride.
Cycling Lessons
SMBC Cycling Lessons for Children
SMBC Cycling Training Team are currently planning October Half Term school holiday cycling lessons for children, providing opportunities to develop cycling skills and confidence in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Courses are planned for a range of abilities, from children learning the basics through to those looking to improve their cycling skills and confidence. Keep a look out to secure your place here
For more information, visit Cycle Training in Solihull
Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons for Children and Adults
Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons offers professional cycling tuition for children and adults in Solihull and across the Midlands, helping riders of all ages build confidence, develop safe cycling skills and learn to ride independently without stabilisers. Lessons are delivered by Bikeability-approved, qualified cycle instructors and are suitable for complete beginners as well as those looking to improve their confidence and capability on a bike.
Cycling lessons are available year-round, offering flexible opportunities for both children and adults to learn to ride, build confidence and develop their cycling skills. Pedal Perfect has supported over 1,500 children and adults to gain this important life skill.
For more information, prices and booking details, visit Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons
Midland Mencap – parkride: Adapted Cycling Scheme
Midland Mencap – parkride is the West Midlands regions leading adapted cycling scheme offering free or low cost access to a fleet of inclusive bikes and trikes allowing you to cycle in safe spaces with expert tuition and support.
Whether you are new to cycling, haven’t cycled for a long time or you just don’t have a bike, parkride’s fully inclusive bikes mean everyone can enjoy the fun of cycling.
For more information, please call on 0121 442 2944, or email [email protected]
PedalUK ltd. ‘Try before you bike’ scheme
Solihull Council has teamed up with PedalUK ltd to offer Solihull residents the ‘Try before you bike’ scheme. Part of the West Midlands Cycle and Walk Programme, this innovative scheme offers a flexible approach to hiring or buying an e-bike without the initial cost of purchasing a new e-bike and accessories.
The introductory discounts are available to anyone who lives, works or studies in the Borough of Solihull. Please note, discount codes are limited and subject to availability.
Offer code SOLIHULLELECTRIC will save £50 a month over 6 months on a new e-bike, total subsidy £300.
For more information, visit Try Before You Bike
Lime E-Bike Roll Out Across the West Midlands
Lime has been appointed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as the new provider of battery assisted pedal bikes in the region. Cycle hire is available across the West Midlands; in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Stourbridge, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Bikes are available 24/7. With docking stations at major bus, metro and train stations, visitor attractions and city or town centres.
For more information, visit Cycling in the West Midlands | Transport for West Midlands
Love To Ride
Love to Ride Solihull supports and encourages people to ride bikes for fun, transport, the school-run, to get fit, to be more sustainable, to save money…you name it!
It is aimed at new, occasional and experienced riders and specifically allows you to track rides, get stats and monitor progress, and share local cycling routes. Prizes are given away throughout the year and there are challenges designed to build bike habits that can last a lifetime.
For more information and to join, visit Love to Ride Solihull
Repair Support
Repair Café
Free meeting places with expert volunteers with repair skills, and they’re all about repairing things (together) including bicycles.
Search a Repair Café near you!
If you have supporting repair skills, including bicycle repairs – Start a Repair Café near you!
Ahead of attending a Repair Café see House Rules for more information.
Community Cycling Hubs
Solihull has community cycling hubs for local ride leaders to run recreational cycling programmes from for free! Increasing accessibility to recreational cycling programmes, any participants who do not have equipment or find it more convenient, can borrow bikes and helmets. Bikes range in sizes and include a mixture of open/step-through frames and cross-bar frames.
Getting there:
In order to help you get to the community cycling hub sessions, please use these postcodes in your Sat Nav:
- Babbs Mill Hub is at the Pavilions Club, Meriden Drive, Kingshurst, B37 6BX.
- Elmdon Park, Elmdon Park Road, Solihull, B92 9EJ (next to the Church car park).
- North Solihull Sports Centre, Conway Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5LA.
- Tudor Grange Park, Monkspath Hall Road, Solihull, B91 3DN (next to the cycle track).
Hiring a cycle hub for group sessions:
The hubs can be booked for free by qualified ride leaders independently and/or that are part of organisations, groups or clubs to host your own cycling sessions.
For more information, visit Cycle Hub Bookings
Community Cycling Hub Asset Transfer – Expression of Interest
Could your organisation help grow cycling, physical activity and wellbeing opportunities in Solihull?
Solihull Council is inviting expressions of interest from Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations interested in taking ownership of one or more community cycling hubs and shape its future.
Successful applicants will run and deliver low-cost, inclusive cycling sessions and activities, helping local residents to lead healthier and more active lives. See full Eligibility Criteria.
📝Complete the Expressions of Interest Form here
The deadline for expressions of interest is 16 October 2026.
To note. successful applicants are to be available between 23rd – 25th November to attend a short 30-minute Microsoft Teams meeting, to discuss their proposed delivery model, asset transfer arrangements, and any support requirements ahead of the transfer process.
Each hub includes:
✅ Lockable 20ft shipping container
✅ Adult and children’s bikes
✅ Helmets
✅ Bike maintenance equipment
Successful organisations will take ownership of all hub equipment. Transition support, including first-year bike servicing, training, and marketing support will be provided.
📧 Questions? Contact: [email protected]
Local Groups, Clubs & Organisations
- Belles on Bikes – A women’s cycling group which offers support and encouragement to women riders of all abilities.
- Clean & Green Cycle Safe – A community-led, not for profit Cycle Project aimed at encouraging ALL to cycle safely and have fun in our wonderful, local spaces.
- Cyclesolihull rides are free and open to anyone. Rides are weekly, on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, and on weekday evenings during the summer. There is something for everyone with distances from 5 to 30 miles.
- Dynamic Rides Cycling Club – An inclusive club for male and female cyclists, based in Hockley Heath, holding regular recreational and training rides for competent riders.
- Heart of England Cycling Club – A friendly cycling group with rides on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday for those who want to explore some of the great 20 – 100 mile cycling routes in the area.
- Midland Mencap parkride – A fun, free & flexible inclusive family cycling project that provides the whole family, regardless of age or need with the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors through cycling, together!
- Pedal Perfect – Bikeability approved instructors on a mission to help both kids and adults gain confidence and skills to ride independently.
- Solihull Cycling Club – A historic local club for local riders of all ages and abilities.
- Solihull Wheels for All – Providing inclusive cycling for all, including enabling people with a disability or restricted mobility to experience the thrill and fun of wheeled recreation.
- Walk Wheel Cycle Trust – is the new name for Sustrans, a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting active travel by making it easier and more enjoyable for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.
Solihull Cycling Routes & Networks
Do you need some help planning a cycling journey? These are some useful resources to help you plan cycling routes and find easier ways to get around the borough.
- CycleSolihull Free Route Guides
- Solihull Council Cycling Map
- Solihull Wildlife Ways and Existing Cycle Paths
- Cycle Routes in the West Midlands (British Cycling & Ordnance Survey maps)
- 3 Parks Cycling Route (Meriden Park, Sheldon Country Park and Elmdon Park)
- National Cycle Network
- British Cycling Route Planner
- Cycling UK Journey Planner
- Cycle Streets Route Planner