National Trust to provide family bike hire

British Cycling and HSBC UK have partnered with the National Trust to provide bikes for visitors.

Bikes can be borrowed from as little as £3 and children can hire balance bikes for free, and there will also be helmets, child seats and trailers available.

The partnership aims to make bikes available in enjoyable, traffic-free spaces, encouraging families to spend a day out cycling.

Available equipment, costs and opening times will vary between locations.

Julie Harrington, British Cycling CEO, said: “We believe that everybody should have access to a bicycle and feel safe to enjoy the simple pleasure of going out for a ride.

“For this reason, we are incredibly pleased to be working in partnership with the National Trust to offer low-cost bikes at some of the nation’s favourite wild areas.”

Lucy Newbury, active outdoors programme manager for the National Trust said: “National Trust places provide fantastic opportunities for families to get outside and explore the woodlands, countryside, coast and more that we care for.

“The new partnership will enable more people to experience these places on two wheels, discovering everything nature has to offer whilst getting active.

“We are delighted to be able to offer 100 free to borrow balance bikes across 14 properties and full bike hire schemes at three locations – Osterley Park in London, Wallington in Northumberland, and Blickling Estate in Norfolk – so that the whole family can enjoy riding bikes together.”

Luke Harper, HSBC UK’s head of British Cycling partnership, said: “If we really want to change behaviour and get Britain onto two wheels, we need to give people opportunities, encourage riding from an early age and ensure they have places to explore.

“We are delighted that our partnership with the National Trust will provide somewhere to ride for a wide variety of people: from those who are just learning through to families who can confidently get out together. 

"We know that habits form more easily when you do things in a group; what better way to keep people active than through fun as a family in such lovely settings?"