GTCT support NE Cycling CIC to get more people active in north east
A Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust grant recipient, North East Cycling CIC strives to use cycling as a powerful tool for community development, performance progression, and positive change.
At the heart of their work is a mission to create more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in cycling – whether that’s learning to ride, commuting, racing, coaching, or just enjoying being active on two wheels.
The organisation brings experience, expertise and passion from coaches to build a platform that enables young people to thrive, growing the sport of cycling across all communities in the North East, making cycling more inclusive and accessible, and developing a clear pathway from grassroots to elite level.
As well as running North East Cycling Academy for its participants, the not-for-profit manages Middlesbrough Velodrome, a thriving community cycling hub and the heart of its activities – from Learn to Ride sessions to advanced track training and national-level development programs.
The GTCT is thrilled to have been able to support NE Cycling CIC with a grant, helping the organisation to restore a core section of its community bike fleet, bringing bikes back into safe, active use.
“By restoring bikes that would otherwise be unusable, we’re removing one of the biggest barriers to participation and opening up cycling to people who simply wouldn’t have had the opportunity,” Kelly Brooks, NE Cycling CIC Operations & Compliance Manager, told us.
The bikes are essential to delivering inclusive cycling sessions, particularly for individuals who do not own a bike or cannot afford access to one. By removing this key barrier, the funding is directly supporting local people to take part in regular physical activity across coached sessions, beginner programmes and community rides.
NE Cycling CIC’s project is already helping to increase participation among underrepresented groups, improve confidence and wellbeing, and creating accessible pathways into cycling.
The GTCT’s investment not only restores equipment but strengthens long-term opportunities for people across the North East to get active and stay connected.
“The support from the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust is making a real and immediate difference to our community,” stated Kelly. “The funding will directly enable more people to get active, build confidence and feel part of something positive.”
