Bikes, Bells & a Picnic

Free family cycling for New Scots part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival

This summer, thanks to funding from the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund, Sunny Cycles ran Bikes & Bells - a programme of free cycling lessons, family skills sessions and led rides created especially for New Scots women and their families.

Across late July and early August, women and children came together at our hub beside Glasgow Green to build confidence on two wheels some riding for the very first time, others returning to something they'd not done in years. There were lessons, there were family skills sessions where mums and kids learned side by side, and there were gentle rides out into the city.

How did the event go?

It all came together on Sunday 2nd August with Bikes, Bells & a Picnic. Our women's ride set off through the Athletes' Village and out to Cunnigar Loop and back, with riders growing in confidence on every hill and turn a special thing indeed, to ride through the heart of the Games as they arrive in our city. Afterwards, families gathered at the Sails sculpture on Glasgow Green for a picnic in the sunshine.

Over 40 people joined us that day, from 20 different countries - mums, dads, children, grandparents - sharing food, playing games and making new friends over the simple, brilliant joy of a bike.

Our enormous thanks go to every family who came along, to our wonderful volunteers, and to the Glasgow 2026 Festival and Glasgow Life for making it all possible.