Gateshead Council: Support for Active Travel

Support for Active Travel - E2 and E7

EV charging posts - This intervention will provide the infrastructure for up to four publicly accessible electric vehicle charging posts. These posts will be accessible to residents and businesses to charge their electric vehicles at a convenient time. It is hoped these posts can support more residents and businesses to invest in electric vehicles, which will help to reduced tail pipe emissions across Gateshead.  

Mobility hub - This intervention will see the introduction of a mobility hub in Birtley Library providing walking, cycling and public transport advice as well as bike rental and repair, led rides and walks and information on walking and cycling routes.

Career Travel - This intervention sees public transport passes being distributed to colleagues and to a summer training scheme.

Business Grants - This intervention provides small grants to local businesses to implement sustainable transport facilities.

Small infrastructure projects - This intervention provides cycle storage to businesses, voluntary groups and charities. 

Contact:

Sarah Moralee, Transport Strategy (E2) - 0191 433 3308 / sarahmoralee@gateshead.gov.uk

Danny Harland, Transport Strategy (E7) - 0191 433 5545 / danielharland@gateshead.gov.uk

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

Case studies

Gateshead College - The Bike Shed

The Active Travel project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and led by Gateshead Council, facilitated a unique opportunity for students at Gateshead College to gain practical skills in cycle mechanics while also learning the importance of sustainable travel.

The funding enabled the College to launch the Bike Shed, a project which combines technical training with outdoor cycling excursions, equipping students not only with bike repair skills but also with a new sense of confidence and independence. 

As well as promoting active travel, supporting social mobility, and enhancing resilience and wellbeing the project aims to repair and repurpose unused bikes which can be donated to students or to the wider community. Through hands-on bike repair and guided local cycling trips, the initiative fosters a sense of community, encourages healthy living, and empowers students with the knowledge to navigate their local area with ease.

The programme is showing students that local travel—whether it's to the Metrocentre, across Tyne bike paths, or to other Gateshead College campuses—can be accomplished efficiently and cost-effectively by bike and to understand why choosing to travel by bike is better for the planet. Students are introduced to basic bike mechanics, enabling them to look after their bikes and feel more confident about using them regularly for commuting and leisure.

For some students, the project marks the first time they've learned to ride a bike or maintain one. A particularly inspiring story comes from a young student who moved to the UK from Nigeria just six months ago. Initially unable to ride a bike, he was taught the basics during the project. With the support of his peers and instructors, he is now able to join group bike rides, experiencing firsthand the joy and independence that cycling provides. As a part of the programme, he also helped refurbish a bike that had been donated to the project, which will now be given to him as a personal reward for his perseverance. This individual achievement highlights the programme's role in helping students overcome barriers, both in terms of learning new skills, developing friendships and integrating into their new community. It also underscores the programme commitment to social inclusion and resilience, particularly for students facing challenges such as cultural adaptation and social isolation.

Ultimately, the project's aim is to build long-term interest in active travel, ensuring that more people, students and staff, use bikes as a regular mode of transport. The environmental benefits of cycling, including reduced carbon emissions and lower pollution levels, are integrated into the curriculum, helping students understand how their actions contribute to a healthier planet. Additionally, the programme serves as a stepping stone to future career opportunities in the growing active travel industry.

By gaining knowledge in cycle mechanics and practical experience, students have the potential to pursue careers in bike repair, maintenance, and cycling advocacy. And the opportunity to work in a wide range of industries focused on sustainable transportation, health, and fitness.

Gateshead College's Bike Shed is an Active Travel project which demonstrates how a combination of technical education, active participation, and community-building can lead to meaningful outcomes for students.

As the programme continues to grow, the hope is to see even more students embracing active travel, improving their quality of life, and ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and active community. The success of this initiative lays the groundwork for expanding active travel education across the region, with the long-term goal of increasing engagement in cycling and creating new career opportunities in the sector.