Cycle Torbay launch weekly social bike rides thanks to Alliance Innovation Fund

The Devon Mental Health Alliance Innovation Fund has been awarded to Cycle Torbay CIC by our Community Mental Health Development Leads in Torbay & South Devon.

Cycle Torbay recently delivered the Riviera Riders Project, which consisted of a series of weekly social bike rides across Torbay, including routes in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. The aim of the social rides was to improve mental health outcomes and increased social networks. Other outcomes include reduced financial hardship and stronger communities.

To upskill participants and build confidence, Cycle Torbay partnered with national cycling, walking and wheeling charity Sustrans to deliver Group Leader training. Five new volunteers took part from Cycle Torbay. The training curriculum covered topics such as leading a group, hazards, emergencies and minimising risk, and applied skills.

Jonathan Oliverio, Director of Cycle Torbay, reported the following case study after the rides:

“Ralph had popped into one of our Foxhole Bike Hub sessions based at the Crafty Fox Café & Hub. He wanted to find out what we were doing in the Bike Hub sessions and ask about his road bike — he had been having problems with his gears. Ralph stayed for a while during the session, initially asking how he could fix his bike. He said he didn’t get out much and didn’t have confidence on the roads — he felt unsafe riding on his own. Ralph said he had one friend who lived in Paighton Town Centre, but he fell out with her some time ago and now feels really lonely.

We told Ralph about the social rides taking place across Torbay. He said he would like to join the Paignton rides as they are near to his home. Ralph came along to a ride and started connecting with the other riders. Along with two others, he arranged to meet at the Torbay VeloPark on a Wednesday afternoon.

We saw Ralph a few weeks later at another Paignton social ride — he told us that he had been meeting regularly with his new friends and no longer felt isolated. He said he had been feeling better in himself and getting out more.”