Manchester is proud to be the home of the National Cycling Centre and British Cycling.  As well as being the training venue for many Olympians and Paralympians, the National Cycling Centre is open for the public to use.

The National Cycling Centre includes:

• The Manchester Velodrome
• The Indoor BMX Arena
• The Outdoor BMX track (Platt Fields Park).
• Clayton Vale mountain biking trails
• Philips Park skills area and pump track

The National Cycling Centre is home to Clubs ESV (Eastlands and Sportcity Velo) and Manchester BMX Club which offer coaching and racing opportunities.

Manchester City Council and British Cycling opened a fantastic new FREE cycling hub in Wythenshawe Park in 2022, which includes a technical pump track, mountain biking skills zone and woodland trails, a Learn to Ride area and a shared usage accessible trail around the park’s perimeter for cyclists, walkers and runners. 

No need to book – just turn up with your bike and ride (use the park entrance to the athletics track).

Named after Max-Rimmer Chambers, Max-Trax now stands to be a vibrant and safe community spot for people who love sports on wheels.

It was created through the ideas and feedback from local families, schools, and residents. Park goers who enjoy roller skating or riding bikes and scooters, like Max, will now be able take on the specially designed track.

It features a purpose‑built pump track that welcomes all ages and abilities. Expert-led coaching sessions and cycling education take place on site, alongside a dedicated repair workshop and maintenance cabins. The entire space is designed to be inclusive, making it accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and scooters.

If you have never learnt to ride a bike; would like to develop your cycling skills, or become more confident cycling in traffic, you can access cycle training in Manchester.

TFGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) run FREE cycle training for all levels of rider (and non-rider) in 3 Manchester locations:

• Alexandra Park in Whalley Range.
• Wythenshawe Cycle hub Learn to Ride area.
• Parrs Wood High School indoor sessions in winter (East Didsbury).

TFGM also offer one-to-one cycle training to support you to ride in traffic and to plan a bespoke route for specific journeys – you’ll meet the instructor at your chosen location.

Sign up for one of the sessions and you’ll be welcomed by the friendly qualified instructors who will support you on your cycling journey.

Family cycle training is also offered to develop your confidence riding as a family on quiet roads. 

There are also many other TFGM cycle training locations across Greater Manchester, so find what’s right for you!

Many of the community cycling hubs will also offer cycle training for both riders and non-riders.  Find out more on the ‘Community Hubs and Groups’ section.

There are many opportunities to join led rides in Manchester, run by experienced ride leaders.

Many community cycling hubs offer regular led rides in your local community.  Find out more via the ‘Community Cycling Hubs & Groups’ tab above.

British Cycling run a FREE guided rides programme throughout the year.  You just turn up with your bike and they do the rest!  Experienced and qualified ride leaders will take the lead.  Find out more at Lets Ride UK here.

British Cycling also run guided FREE Breeze rides just for women.  Find out more about these free, fun and sociable rides at Lets Ride UK here.

Joyriders Manchester run different levels of led rides for women in the Manchester area – introducing them to the joy of riding, including beginner rides with tea and cake stops on the way. Get involved in Joyriders here.  

Become a ride leader and lead your own rides.  Ride leader courses are available from TFGM here or British Cycling via this link here.

Lack of bike maintenance knowledge can put people off cycling, but we’re here to help.  If you want to learn the basics or develop your knowledge, there is support available.

TFGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) run a variety of low-cost hands-on bike maintenance sessions in 3 Manchester locations:

• Bike Right! in Cheetham.
• Platt Fields Bike Hub in Fallowfield.
• Manchester Bike Kitchen, Wythenshawe.

Sign up for one of the small group sessions and you’ll be welcomed by a friendly qualified bike maintenance expert. across Greater Manchester, so find what’s right for you!

Many of the community cycling hubs will also offer bike maintenance and learn to fix sessions in your local community. Find out more on the ‘Community Hubs and Groups’ section.

Bike libraries

There are a number of bike libraries in Manchester where you can borrow a bike, give it a go and see what you like, before continuing on your cycling journey. Find a bike library in your area here.

Bike Hire in Manchester.

Starling Bank Bikes are available at many bays in Manchester and are easy to use and cost effective.  Simply download the app, locate your bike and unlock it, ride, and then return it a stand and relock.  You can pay as you ride or buy minute bundles if you’re a regular rider.  Ride for as little as 5p per minute (plus 50p unlocking fee for pay as you ride).  You can pause the ride for 15 minutes during your journey.  Find out more on the tfgm website here.

Borrow an E-cycle.

TFGM with Cycling UK, offer the chance to borrow an e-bike for a month, to discover how e-cycles can make everyday journeys easier. Hopping on an e-cycle regularly avoids having to pay for expensive fuel and car repairs. Not only that, they also bring mental and physical health benefits and contribute to a cleaner environment. Find out more about borrowing an E-Bike on the tfgm website here.

 

Simply Cycling has a huge range of cycles enabling anyone to experience the joy of cycling.  They run many weekly sessions in Wythenshawe Park, Boggart Hole Clough, Longford Park. Find out more and book onto a session here.

Wheels for All have a weekly inclusive cycling session in Debdale Park, Gorton.  Find out more on the Wheels for All page here.

The Inclusive Cycling Experience enables residents with disabilities/long term health conditions to try-out and to borrow non-standard cycles. Find out more on the Cycling UK website here.

Limitless BMX sessions are offered at the National Cycling Centre.  Limitless BMX is an inclusive session for riders with physical and learning disabilities, SEND or additional needs. Find out more on the National Cycling Centre website here.

Limitless velodrome sessions take place on the National Cycling Centre velodrome track for riders with disabilities, including visual impairments. Find out more on the National Cycling Centre website here

British Cycling run guided FREE Breeze rides just for women.  Find out more about these free, fun and sociable rides on the Let’s Ride website here.

Joyriders Manchester run different levels of led rides for women in the Manchester area – introducing them to the joy of riding, including beginner rides with tea and cake stops on the way. Learn more on the Joyriders Eventbrite page here.

Team Glow offer bike rides, camps and events to women in the Manchester area. Learn more on the Team Glow website here.