Pedal Power Comes to Devon Libraries as New Cycling Hubs Launch
We are expanding our partnership with Active Devon to bring free adult cycle training even closer to local communities, with two new library-based cycle training hubs launching in Exmouth and Bovey Tracey this September.
The new hubs build on the partnership launched last year in Tavistock and Honiton, where the libraries became welcoming local access points for people who wanted to find out more, book free training and take their first steps towards cycling with confidence and being more active.
From September, bikes will be stored at Exmouth and Bovey Tracey libraries, making it easier for adults to take part even if they do not own a bike. Two bikes will be available at each hub for use as part of the adult cycle confidence sessions, with the first sessions taking place in Bovey Tracey on 22 September and Exmouth on 25 September.
The free programme is designed for adults aged 18 and over, including complete beginners, people returning to cycling after a break, and those who want to feel more confident making short everyday journeys by bike. Sessions are delivered in small, supportive groups and tailored to individual needs, helping participants build skills at their own pace.
By locating training in libraries, the partnership is reinforcing the role of libraries as trusted community spaces. The hubs offer a familiar, accessible place where residents can ask questions, discover what support is available and take part in activities that support health, wellbeing, confidence and connection.
The expansion also supports wider ambitions to make active travel more inclusive across Devon. By bringing bikes and training into the heart of towns, the hubs remove practical barriers and help more people see cycling as an achievable option for local journeys, leisure, commuting and everyday independence.
The new cycling hubs also form part of our libraries wider commitment to environmental action. Libraries across Devon and Torbay are increasingly becoming places where communities can come together to take practical action for the planet, from repair cafés and community growing projects to reuse, recycling and sustainable living initiatives.
Emily Moore, Cycling Champion at Active Devon said: “We’re delighted to be developing this partnership with Libraries Unlimited and taking free adult cycle training into more local communities. Having bikes based at Exmouth and Bovey Tracey libraries means more people can try cycling in a supportive environment, without needing to own a bike or know where to start. These hubs are about confidence, connection and helping people feel that cycling can be for them.”
Alex Kittow, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, added: “Libraries are evolving to meet the needs of their communities, which increasingly includes environmental action and health and wellbeing. By working with Active Devon, we can help remove barriers to cycling and give more people the confidence to make healthier, more sustainable choices.”
Anyone interested in building their cycling confidence can find out more about free adult cycle training sessions through Active Devon and Libraries Unlimited, with new dates and locations added regularly. Go to the Active Devon website to find out more here
