JOIN THE GLOBAL BIKE BUS COMMUNITY
Worcester (UK) is hosting the 2025 Bike Bus Summit, inviting the active travel community to join us for a celebration of the Bike Bus movement, a chance to meet and network with other Bike Bus leaders and learn more about how to grow or start a Bike Bus.
Thursday 10th April
Morning: Guided rides and local tours
Afternoon: Volunteer workshops at The Hive
Evening: Bike Bus Dinner at The Arena
Friday 11th April
Morning: Join local bike buses followed by the Summit at the Guildhall
Afternoon: Guided rides and local tours
Evening: (coming soon)
GETTING TICKETS
The Global Bike Bus Summit is free to attend but capacity is limited. Given the early start on Friday morning for the Bike Buses, we are inviting delegates to join us for Dinner at the Worcester Arena on Thursday evening, followed by Bike Buses and the Summit on Friday morning.
Tickets include: sustainably sourced meal at the Worcester Arena on Thursday night, your place at the Summit on Friday morning and early access to workshop spaces (due to be released in March).
Keynote
Get ready to be inspired! Our keynote speakers are leading the way in creating a world where Bike Buses are safe, accessible, and thriving. Join these passionate advocates and experts as they share their insights and vision for the future of Bike Buses.
Sarah Mitchell
CEO, Cycling UK
Sarah Mitchell is Chief Executive of Cycling UK, the 145-year-old membership charity which runs cycling behaviour-change programmes reaching around 100,000 people a year, and is well known for its campaigning activities. Under Sarah’s leadership the charity has grown significantly and diversified both its audiences and its staff team.
Sarah is the author of Charity Management: Leadership Evolution and Change (Routledge, New York) and was Visiting Lecturer at Bayes Business School in the City of London. Prior to joining Cycling UK Sarah worked in the UK charity sector for 15 years in social care and housing, after working in the European institutions in Brussels, and qualifying as a financial auditor.
Phil Jones
Founder, PJA Group
Phil helped produce Gear Change, and the LTN1/20 guidance with cycle infrastructure expert and PJA colleague Adrian Lord. The Gear Change document (2020) set out the Government’s vision to boost cycling and walking in a bid to tackle health and environmental challenges, and LTN1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design is the accompanying guidance for developers, local authorities, and highways engineers on providing high quality, protected cycle routes and infrastructure.
Phil is a Chartered Engineer with over 40 years’ experience. He founded Phil Jones Associates in 2003; the PJA Group now provides services in transport planning, engineering, ecology and placemaking, employing around 130 staff in six offices in the UK and two in Australia.
Sam Balto
CEO, Bike Bus World
Sam Balto has taught Physical Education for over ten years in Washington, DC, Boston, and Portland, Oregon. For 9 years now, Sam has seen the benefits of active transportation to school as a way to increase physical activity for students but also as a way to build strong school communities. After leading walking school buses for 6 years, Sam tried a bike bus at his school Alameda Elementary in the Spring of 2022 and as they say "the rest is history."
His weekly bike bus has received international attention and has helped bring the issue of active transportation for children to the footsteps of The White House. Last summer, Sam was invited to meet Secretary Buttigieg in Washington State and Sam told the Secretary "you're going to lead a bike bus one day."
Workshops
Ready to dive deeper into the world of Bike Buses? The workshops, led by a range of experienced activists, will offer practical skills and inspiring ideas for everyone from newcomers to seasoned Bike Bus leaders.
Workshops have limited spaces, but they will also be live-streamed via our YouTube channel so there’s no need to miss out! In-person tickets will be released in March.
Bike Bus: The Beginner’s Guide
Want to start a Bike Bus but don’t know where to start?
This workshop will give you the tools and knowledge to create a safe, fun, and sustainable way for children to get to school. Learn how to:
Plan and organize a Bike Bus route: We'll cover everything from mapping out safe routes to coordinating volunteers.
Ensure the safety of riders: Discover best practices for safe cycling in groups, including hand signals, road rules, and risk assessment.
Build community and excitement: Learn how to engage parents, schools, and local businesses to create a thriving Bike Bus culture.
Leave this workshop ready to launch a Bike Bus that will get kids pumped up for their journey to school!
Bike Buses as a Campaigning Tool
Turn your Bike Bus into a powerful force for change!
Bike Buses are more than just a fun and healthy way to get to school – they can also be a powerful tool for advocating for safer streets and more livable cities. In this workshop, we'll explore how local campaign groups can use Bike Bus initiatives as a lightning rod to inspire change in your community.
You'll learn how to:
Build relationships with decision-makers: Influence policy and create change!
Organise effective campaigns: Make your voice heard on issues like traffic safety, air quality, and cycling infrastructure.
Engage with local media: Get your Bike Bus story heard and seen!
Recruit new volunteers: Get new people involved with cycling advocacy.
The International Bike Bus Children
A workshop for the young people of the Bike Bus movement. In this workshop, we're putting KIDS in charge!
Sharing what is most loved about Bike Buses. Is it the friends you make? The feeling of freedom? The awesome decorations?
Tell us how to make Bike Buses even BETTER. More music? Crazy costumes? Pet stops? Let your imagination run wild!
Dream BIG! What would YOUR perfect Bike Bus community look like?
Get ready to speak up, share your ideas, and help shape the future of Bike Buses around the world!
Building Scale: Growing a Bike Bus
So, your Bike Bus is rolling and you're ready to make it even BIGGER and BETTER?
We'll share strategies to:
Recruit new riders and volunteers: Learn how to spread the word and get more families and community members on board. More riders = more fun!
Develop effective leadership: Explore new ways to organize your Bike Bus, so it runs smoothly and everyone feels included.
Secure funding and resources: Need helmets, bike repair kits, or cool decorations? Hear from others’ experience in finding the resources you need to keep your Bike Bus rolling in style.
Let's make your Bike Bus the biggest and best it can be!
Venues
Experience the vibrant city of Worcester! Our venues will offer a unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities, providing the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable Bike Bus Summit.
The Hive
With over a quarter of a million books and 12 miles of archive collections, The Hive is no ordinary library. Opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2012, The Hive is Europe’s first fully integrated university and public library. It has a busy events programme, with regular public lectures, exhibitions and performances.
The Arches
Five beautiful Victorian railway arches redeveloped into affordable studio and office space for local artists, creatives and performers, these arches take their place alongside a thriving community of local businesses, restaurants, and cafes creating a cultural destination for the local community and tourists visiting Worcester.
The Guildhall
The City's Guildhall is a truly beautiful building which dates back to 1721. It has a fascinating history – it was once the seat of justice throughout the city and even housed a prison – and today offers both visitors and residents a glimpse of Worcester's rich and varied heritage.
Worcester Arena
The Arena is Britain’s first indoor sports hall purpose designed to include the wheelchair athlete and regularly hosts major sports tournaments, from wheelchair basketball to cheerleading championships.