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Active Lancashire’s community-driven bike shop, Active Cycles, is launching Free Bike Hire Libraries, ‘Try a Bike’ sessions, led rides, and more — all made possible by funding from Lancashire County Council through the new Adult Cycling Scheme, aimed at getting more people cycling.

The initial launch of the Adult Cycling Scheme will begin on 1^st July with the brand-new Free Bike Hire Library from Active Cycles’ shop in Accrington Arndale. Adults will be able to reserve a bike for free online or in-store for as little or as long as they wish. Further rollouts of the Free Bike Hire Library are planned for Pendle, Rossendale and Padiham later this summer to give even more adults access to free, active travel. By removing financial barriers, the initiative will enable more people to experience the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits of active travel, whether for commuting, leisure, or simply getting back into cycling. What’s more, those who hire a bike for 2 weeks or more will receive a £10 voucher for Active Cycles which can be used toward the purchase of an adult’s bike, with prices starting from just £50.

The second phase of the Adult Cycling Scheme, also set to launch in late summer, will see the introduction of ‘Try a Bike’ sessions at Active Cycles and partner locations which will provide adults with guidance from trained mechanics on bike sizing, maintenance, and suitability, helping individuals feel more confident and informed before starting their cycling journey. Building on these sessions, Active Cycles will also begin working with partner organisations to offer led rides, learn-to-ride sessions, bike maintenance workshops and cycling leader training, providing ongoing support and development opportunities for those new to cycling or looking to build their skills further.

The Adult Cycling Scheme falls under Active Cycles’ wider mission to enable more individuals to begin cycling, thereby creating a greener, healthier Lancashire. Active Cycles already has a well-established bike shop based in the Accrington Arndale Centre, which has rescued over 1800 bikes from landfill in the last 12 months, which have been restored by volunteer mechanics and sold to the community from as little as £25. 

Speaking about the launch, Michelle Grimes, Manager of the Active Cycles project at Active Lancashire said, “We’re delighted to be launching the Free Bike Hire Library in Accrington thanks to the generous funding from Lancashire County Council. Cycling is a fantastic way to stay active, reduce travel costs and support mental wellbeing, but for many people, access to a bike can be a barrier.

“Thanks to this new scheme and the ongoing work of Active Cycles, we’re making it easier than ever for local residents to get on two wheels and experience the many benefits that cycling has to offer.”

The Bike Hire Library will launch in Accrington on 1^st July. Bookings can be made via the Active Lancashire website, calling Active Cycles on 01254 919393 or by visiting the shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:30AM and 3:30PM. Individuals can receive an email reminder of the launch and the expansion of the Adult Cycling Scheme by signing up via this link or by following Active Cycles on Facebook.

Exercise and physical activity in schools are a crucial part of a student’s development and consistently promoting fitness and team spirit is essential.

National School Sports Week takes place from 16-22nd June and celebrates movement, motivation and unity through sport. This week-long but ongoing initiative brings schools, families and communities together and empowers young people to be active at school and embrace fitness.

According to the Daily Mile Foundation, 74% of primary school teachers in the UK think that children’s physical activity is declining. The same study found that 87% of teachers agree that daily physical activity would improve school children’s behaviour and their learning outcomes.

This year we want to make sure that all children in the UK are active and reaping the benefits of physical activity, whether it’s through rugby, dance or athletics.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games, which works with schools and School Games Organisers across the county to ensure more young people have access to sport and physical activity sessions, has partnered with Spencer Clarke Group, an award-winning recruitment agency, to create a comprehensive guide on how sport can boost fitness and team spirit, as well as the benefits of being active in schools.

What is National School Sports Week?

National School Sports Week is an annual campaign that aims to promote an active approach to school life and encourages children to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, everyday.

Created and led by national children’s charity Youth Sport Trust, National School Sport Week aims to promote physical activity, health and wellbeing among young people. This year, Youth Sport Trust is celebrating its 30th anniversary of bringing schools, families and communities together to empower young people through sport.

The theme for the 2025 National School Sports Week is ‘Always Active,’ which focuses on ensuring every child has opportunities to be active every day. The ‘Always Active’ approach aims to integrate physical activity into daily school life to create positive, inclusive experiences and ensure it becomes a lasting part of the school routine.

What are the benefits to promoting physical activity in schools?

Benefits to promoting physical activity in schools for children and young people, include:

• Improves physical fitness.
• Boosts team spirit.
• Enhances physical health and wellbeing.
• Supports students’ overall development.
• Creates a more productive learning environment and better learning outcomes.
• Improves behaviour and discipline, leading to fewer classroom disruptions.
• Increases motivation and concentration.
• Creates more inclusive experiences.
• Promotes lifelong habits of physical activity, health and wellbeing.

How can sports in schools boost fitness and encourage team spirit?

Different ways schools can boost fitness and encourage team spirit, include:

• Creating sports teams.
• Encouraging individual school activities.
• Offering extracurricular activities such as after school clubs.
• Hosting in-school tournaments.
• Attending competitions and national tournaments.

Exercise is proven to significantly enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength through aerobic and anaerobic activities that can be done in schools. When it comes to boosting fitness in children and young people, one of the most obvious solutions is to promote exercise and physical education in schools.

Encouraging children and young people to be active is crucial as it can significantly enhance fitness levels and strengthen team spirit, ultimately promoting an active lifestyle for students. Doing sports at schools can help break down barriers and create inclusive experiences which can help forge friendships and connections that can improve mental health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s football, netball or hockey, trying different team-based school sports and activities inside and outside of school can help students understand the values of teamwork.

School sports allows students to express themselves, develop a new skill and stay active which can garner a greater sense of belonging and mutual support. Even sports, activities and games that focus on individual performance can foster a sense of unity as students can encourage each other and share tips and advice for best practice.

Sports events like sports day, inter-school tournaments and competitions can boost team spirit and motivation, as students can bond over shared experiences and common interests. Having school sports teams and afterschool clubs not only provides provision, but can inspire ongoing engagement and provide opportunities for students to compete while improving their physical fitness.

Students, parents and communities can support each other and celebrate their successes to ensure every child and young person feels seen, valued and appreciated.

Through physical activity, students can gain confidence and resilience, which can improve their mental health and wellbeing as well as their ability to socialise. This is important as promoting the power of physical education, sport and activity in school helps build happier, healthier futures for children and young people while also supporting their mental and physical development.

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Spencer Clarke Group is a specialist education recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Operating nationwide, they help schools to find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm or permanent basis.

After growing exponentially since they launched in 2017, Spencer Clarke Group was named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the 2024 Recruiter Awards.