Cycle Nation Communities program to help adults start cycling in Glasgow

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of a Community-based Nine-week Multi-component Group-based Cycling Intervention Versus a Single Cycle Training Session to Increase Cycling Participation: the Cycle Nation Communities Randomised Controlled Trial

This project will test whether a nine-week Cycle Nation group program helps adults who don’t regularly cycle to ride more and improve health and wellbeing compared with a single standard cycling session.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 268 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Glasgow (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Glasgow)
• Trial ID: NCT07005674 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled comparison of a nine-week, multi-component, group-based Cycle Nation programme versus a single standard cycling training session delivered by Cycling Scotland. Adults who can ride a bike but currently cycle less than once per month will be randomly allocated to one of the two arms and followed up at baseline, immediately post-programme, and at 12 months. Primary outcomes are self-reported cycling behaviour along with measures of health and wellbeing; the trial also includes a cost-effectiveness analysis and a process evaluation. Sessions are delivered in person in Glasgow and participants are expected to attend at least six of nine sessions for the intervention arm.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18+) in the Glasgow area who can already ride a bicycle, currently cycle less than once per month, can speak basic English, can attend at least six of nine in-person sessions, and have no contraindication to moderate physical activity.

Not a fit: People who already cycle regularly, cannot ride a bicycle, have medical contraindications to moderate exercise, or cannot attend in-person sessions are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the programme could help non-cyclists establish regular cycling habits, improving fitness and mental wellbeing while potentially reducing transport-related emissions.

How similar studies have performed: Similar multi-component, group-based cycling programmes have been piloted (including the original Cycle Nation workplace pilot) and shown promising uptake and short-term increases in cycling, but large randomized long-term effectiveness data remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Can ride a bicycle Self-identified infrequent cyclists (currently cycle less than once per month) Aged 18 years or over Willing to provide informed consent Willing to partake in measurements Willing to be randomised to intervention or control arm Have a good understanding of the English language Not have a contraindication to moderate intensity physical activity as assessed by the adapted Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus (PAR-Q+) Able to attend in-person sessions (at least 6 out of 9 sessions) Intend to still be in the UK by November 2026

Exclusion Criteria:

Cannot cycle (i.e. cannot balance and/or have never learnt to cycle) Frequent or regular cyclists (i.e. currently cycle at least once a month, confident riding on roads) Less than 18 years old Not willing to provide informed consent Not willing to partake in measurements Not willing to be randomised to the intervention or control arm Cannot speak basic English Have a contraindication to moderate intensity physical activity as assessed by the adapted Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus (PAR-Q+) Not able to attend in-person sessions (less than 6 out of 9 sessions) Not intending to still be in the UK by November 2026

Where this trial is running

Glasgow

• University of Glasgow — Glasgow, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jason Gill, PhD — University of Glasgow
• Study coordinator: Fernanda Gabler Trisotti, PhD

Conditions: Healthy, Cycling, Bicycle, Communities, Randomised controlled trial