Be Active by Bike launches six new community bike hubs.

Birmingham’s Be Active scheme has set up six new cycle hubs at leisure and community centres across the city. The hubs offer regular bike rides for beginners, and free bike hire for community groups to help more residents access bike rides on their doorstep. The scheme is designed to help those who don’t have access to a bike to take part in a number of cycling activities for free.

Be active By Bike hubs can be found at: Handsworth Leisure Centre; Court Road Health and Fitness; Nechells Community Sports Centre; The HUB, Bromford Drive; Ackers Adventure and Ward End Park.

Each cycle hub has 15 adult bikes. All activities are free of charge for Be Active card holders and include regular led-rides with a British Cycling trained ride leader; one-to-one cycle training and bike hire.

Dawn Rahman from British Cycling is encouraging local residents to be active by bike.

Dawn says; ‘These brilliant bike hubs are a great idea by Be Active, the city council and the NHS. If you’d like to get into riding a bike, but don’t currently have access to a bicycle you can use the hub bikes for free. The beginners’ rides are perfect, as routes are just a few miles and you’ll get lots of support and tips. I’m encouraging local groups to get in touch and come on one of the led-rides together. 2012 is an amazing year for cycling, and the Be Active by Bike hubs are a way the whole community can get involved.’

For more information and to join a beginners’ bike ride contact the bike hubs direct or check out goskyride.com/Birmingham