Cycle for summer

We are so pleased to announce our cycling program for this summer. We will have a Learn 2 Ride and balance bike open day with smoothie bike and giveaways, family cycling and Ride London events. You will also be able to Explore Chelmsford on your bike for your chance to win prizes!

Family activities in May

Come along to our one-day event at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre and book into a of our sessions on Saturday 11 May 2024.

You can call South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre on 01245 605600 to book onto one of our sessions. You can also email SWFLC@chelmsford.gov.uk for more information.

We have sessions running at:

• 9.30am to 10.15am (Balance Bike)
• 10.30am to 11.15am (Learn 2 ride)
• 11.30am to 12.15pm (Learn 2 ride)
• 1pm to 1.45pm (Family bike ride)
• 2pm to 2.45pm (Learn 2 ride)

Sessions cost £1 per person and you can also make your own smoothie on our smoothie bike and receive a goody bag.

We will provide balance bikes, but you will need to bring your own bike for the Learn 2 Ride and family bike sessions.

Ride London

Ride London is back! Come and cheer on the cyclists on the Ride London route on Sunday 26 May 2024. 

To celebrate Ride London visiting Chelmsford we will be running a Family Cycling Taster Day from 10.30 to 2.30 on Sunday May 26 in Central Park Chelmsford.

All activities are free.

Timetable of events

You can drop in and meet the team any time from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

You can make your own fruit smoothie in our Smoothie Bike Challenge. Or, you can collect one of our Explore Chelmsford Cycling Maps. Complete the family friendly cycle routes, answer the questions along the way and be entered into a free prize draw.

Alternatively, you can book one of our organised sessions, led by our experienced cycle instructors. Bookings will open shortly.

10.30am to 11.30am

• Come and Try Balance Bikes for children aged from two to five years old (bikes supplied)
• Learn to ride taster for children (bring your own bike)
• Bike Workshop where you can learn how to maintain your own bike

11.30am to 12.30pm 

• Come and Try Balance Bikes for children aged from two to five years old (bikes supplied)
• Learn to ride taster for adults (bring your own bike)
• Bike Workshop where you can learn how to maintain your own bike

12.30pm to 1.30pm 

• Come and Try Balance Bikes for children aged from two to five years old (bikes supplied)
• Learn to ride taster for children (bring your own bike)
• Bike Workshop where you can learn how to maintain your own bike

1.30pm to 2.30pm

Join our Family Bike Ride to watch and cheer on riders in Ride London and then return to Central Park. A gentle ride along the traffic-free cycle path to Writtle. Approximately three miles. Children must be supervised by an appropriate adult.

Explore Chelmsford

If you're bored of your usual cycle or walking routes, or want to get more active outside, but aren’t sure where to start, you can try our family friendly routes.

There are short, medium and long route options, so you can choose one to suit you. The ‘I Spy’ challenges keep you on your toes, answer them all correctly and enter in a prize draw!

Each self-guided route takes you through some of Chelmsford’s and South Woodham Ferrers' prettiest scenery. They avoid large roads with safety in mind, so are perfect for building confidence. The maps also highlight interesting places to visit along the way, spots to take a pit stop, and the best backdrops for a family selfie. Some of them even have ping-pong tables en-route, so you can mix it up with a different form of exercise! 

Visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/explore for more information.