Free Rusty Riders training puts Hull adults back on bikes

Hull adults returning to cycling can book free weekly Rusty Riders Adult Cycle Training sessions during 2026/27. The two-and-a-half-hour workshops rotate between East Park, Pearson Park and Hull History Centre, with places available to Hull residents.

Hull City Council has not provided a fixed calendar date or start time in its notice. Current dates must be selected through the council’s session listings when booking; no transport or accessibility information has been published.

Confidence is assessed before riders set off

Each session begins with the instructor asking participants about their cycling experience and confidence. The training can then be adjusted for the people attending rather than delivered at one standard level.

The programme is intended for adults who already know how to cycle but want to refresh their skills after time away from a bike. Qualified local instructors focus on helping riders become more comfortable making leisure trips, short local journeys or commutes.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, Hull City Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said confidence is one of the main barriers facing people who want to start cycling again. He described the sessions as a safe, informal setting in which returning riders can rebuild that confidence.

Training covers side roads, junctions and cycle routes

Participants encounter a mixture of road and off-road scenarios. Road training can include side roads, main roads and junctions, while off-road sections introduce cycling infrastructure that can be used for commuting or leisure rides around Hull.

The programme lasts two and a half hours, giving instructors time to work through different situations while accounting for individual experience levels. It is a practical workshop rather than a group ride with a single fixed route.

Participation has more than tripled in two years

Rusty Riders has recorded a third consecutive year of participation growth. The number of people attending reached 95 in 2025/26, compared with 29 two training years earlier.

That represents 66 additional participants over two years. The council also reported steady annual growth among women and people aged over 50, although it did not publish separate totals for those groups.

How to reserve a free place

Hull residents should find a suitable weekly session and reserve their place through the Hull City Council website. Demand for places in 2026/27 remains high, according to the council.

Anyone who owns a bicycle, helmet and hi-vis clothing should bring them after securing a booking. Cycles and safety equipment can be provided on request for participants who do not have their own.

The programme is also available to businesses and organisations interested in arranging training for staff. Corporate booking requirements can be discussed by calling Hull City Council on (01482) 218 753.

Source: Hull City Council News