Fun cycle activities to try this summer

The sun is shining, birds are singing, and kids are home for the school holidays. Which can only mean one thing – summer is here! The warmer months are the perfect time to try some new cycling activities, whether you’re looking to explore your local area or keep the family entertained.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite cycle activities to try this summer, plus a selection of Bikeability courses running during the school holidays. Pedals at the ready!

Join a cycling group

A cycling group is a great way to meet new people, explore new places, and become more confident on your cycle. If you’re unsure where to start, visit Let’s Ride to explore British Cycling’s range of community cycling groups.

With hundreds of groups across the country, there’s something for everyone, including family friendly, adults only, and women only groups. There’s also a Bikeability roundup of inclusive cycling groups in honour of LGBT+ History Month, which you can find here.

Go on a sunset (or sunrise!) cycle ride

Summer is the perfect time for a sunset cycle – temperatures will be cooler but you shouldn’t need to bulk up with extra layers. For safety, plan your route to ensure you use well-lit paths after the sun has set and travel with friends or family (which is also more fun!).

If you’re more of an early bird, there’s nothing like seeing the sun rise from your favourite cycle spot. Why not pack a blanket, thermos, and some pastries, and enjoy breakfast as the sun comes up.

Find a hidden nature spot

If you’re used to doing the same cycle route to school or work, the summer months are a great opportunity to find a hidden nature spot in your area. You don’t have to go out into the countryside either – you’d be surprised at the number of parks and green spaces hiding within cities.

If you need some help getting started, try the British Cycle Quest. This epic challenge encourages riders to explore as many of the 402 checkpoints across Britain as they can. Simply find your nearest rural checkpoint, arrive by cycle, and answer a question about the spot to prove you’ve been there.

Cycle games

You don’t need elaborate equipment to play your own cycle games – often a simple set of cones is enough for hours of fun. You may have even played some cone games at Bikeability training! Lay out some cones in a safe area away from traffic to practice steering, zig-zagging, racing and more.

You could also try ‘cycle limbo’ – simply hold a broom or rope at a low height and challenge children to cycle underneath without touching. It’s a fun way for more confident riders to improve their balance and control.

Mountain biking

If you’re already confident riding on the roads, summer could be the perfect time to try mountain biking. It’s an exhilarating way to explore the great outdoors and seek out some off-road trails. Mountain biking has many great health benefits, including improved coordination, a healthier heart, and improved mental wellbeing – plus, it’s a lot of fun!

As with all cycling, safety is very important, so check out our blog on top tips for mountain bike safety before you get started.

Local Bikeability summer courses

If you’re looking to brush up on your cycling skills, there are also plenty of fun Bikeability sessions taking place across England this summer. See below for a selection of what’s on – or use our find cycle training page to locate a course near you!

Buckinghamshire Council – Cheddington Combined School, LU7 0RG

Cycle4Life will be delivering Level 2 Bikeability sessions during the weeks commencing Monday 3 August and Monday 24 August 2026. Each session has space for approximately 12 children and will include both playground and on-road elements. For course and booking enquiries please email becky@cycle4life.org.

Walsall Council – Walsall Arboretum

Walsall Council will be delivering Learn to Ride sessions throughout the summer holidays (Monday 3 August to Friday 28 August 2026) at Walsall Arboretum. These sessions are open to anyone over 7 years old and are perfect for beginners who want to learn how to ride a bike.

Spaces are limited, so early booking is essential. To find out more information and secure a spot in one of the sessions, please email bikeability@walsall.gov.uk.

BCP Council – Slades Park Pavilion and Kings Park Cycle Centre (Bournemouth)

BCP Council are delivering Bikeability over the summer holiday period (late July–August 2026), including Learn to Ride, Level 1 & 2 combined, and Level 3 courses across Slades Park Pavilion and Kings Park Cycle Centre (Bournemouth). Sessions are running daily across mornings and afternoons, with a variety of sessions suitable for different age groups. To book a place, please click here.