In 2024, we helped make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for everyone in the Tees Valley. From cycle confidence sessions, advice on safe walking routes, scooter donations to schools and so much more.
Credit: Tom Banks, TVCA.
The Tees Valley Walking and Cycling Hubs have been making it easier for everyone to move more actively, whether that’s learning to fix a puncture on a bike, or making employment more accessible.
Working in partnership, charity Sustrans and the Tees Valley Combined Authority are giving local people and visitors opportunities to get outside, get active, and embrace a healthier, happier life.
In 2024, the five hubs across the boroughs of the Tees Valley have made an impact and the numbers speak for themselves.
A social bike ride for beginners. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
The hubs' social bike rides for beginners are a great opportunity to meet new people, build confidence on a bike and get outside.
Last year, 647 people took part in these rides and numbers continue to rise, showing a demand in the region for these types of events.
Bike recycling scheme
The hubs ended 2024 on a high with their bike recycling scheme making an impact on local communities.
With their skills to fix bikes in-house, hub staff requested old bikes to be donated to them.
These were then refurbished and returned to the community via local schools or donated to people through referral programs.
In total, 570 bikes were donated across the Tees Valley.
Simplice, who received a bike from the hub said,
“I got my bike from the hub. I will use my bike every day to [get to] work, and this has helped me save a lot in transportation.”
A social walk along Hartlepool’s coastline. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
A community hub for those who want to walk
And it isn’t all just about bikes.
The clue is in the name, and the Walking and Cycling Hubs offer support to those who want to walk more too.
They had 150 people attend social walks last year, come rain or shine.
Personal travel planning service
If walking for leisure isn't your thing but you do want to walk more, the hubs offer a personal travel planning service to help you figure out the best route for you to walk to the places you want to get to, whether that's work or your local shops.
A one-to-one cycle confidence session. Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
Dr Bike
The scheme’s ‘Dr Bike’ initiative made the biggest mark overall, with more than 2000 people taking part.
Offering an alternative to more expensive modes of transport means more people are able to get out and about, use local services, visit the high street and access employment.
Partnership working
Sustrans, the UK’s walking and cycling charity has been working with the Tees Valley Combined Authority to make walking and cycling easier for everyone across the Tees Valley.
Credit: Sustrans, 2024.
