Rotary's Cycling for All Festival 2025

The inaugural Rotary “Cycling for All Festival” took place on Saturday, 28 June 2025 from 11 am to 5 pm at Evesham’s exciting new £2m VeloPark. The event - a community-focused cycling extravaganza was designed for all ages and abilities. Attendance was free, encouraging widespread participation and promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Organised by Rotary clubs in the Vale of Evesham, Worcester and Malvern, the festival featured a vibrant mix of inclusivity-driven activities, such as adapted bikes provided by Cycle with Pals, performance cycling with Cycle Stars, family and Bike Bus group rides organised by Evesham Adventure Playground Association (EAPA). Rotary’s Area Co-ordinator, Lynne Newell said; “One of my aims was to get the Rotary Clubs in my Area to work together to put on an event. It started out as an idea for a small cycling event, promoting adapted cycling, but it mushroomed into an amazing cycling festival for all.”

More than just a fun day out, the event aimed to involve the community and promote the advantages of cycling for all. The festival helped demonstrate that cycling is inclusive, no matter what disabilities you have. In addition, it demonstrated the environmental benefits of cycling and raised awareness of cycling facilities and organisations in Worcestershire and surrounding areas. Area Co-ordinator Lynne’s highlights of the day were the fun and fellowship enjoyed by all Rotarians present and seeing Mima Meikle, a lady in her 90s and keen cyclist in her day, riding an adapted bike. With help she was seated on a side-by-side cycle and was able to peddle round the track.  She was totally overwhelmed by the whole experience. 

The event , which was sponsored by Evesham Town Council, Wychavon District Council, the Red Lion in Evesham, Mann Broadbent Insurance and Burlish Park, served as a rallying point for family, friends, local schools and Rotary volunteers, all united in making cycling more inclusive. With hands-on assistance, skill-building events and bike safety guidance, participants could engage at all levels - even beginners and those needing adaptive support. Local co-ordinator and Rotary in the Vale’s Sandy Capaldi said; “Seeing people given the opportunity to experience cycling, despite challenges they may have, has been a humbling and inspiring experience. It was a pleasure to welcome Evesham’s Mayor, John Clatworthy and the Mayoress, Marion Griffiths to the Festival.”

 Three local cycling groups were given centre stage and attracted a lot of interest from the public. Leading, with their range of adapted bikes was Cycle with Pals.

PAL Fitness & Education CIC aim to support people who experience disadvantage, in particular families on low incomes and disabled people of all ages. Their cycling project is aimed at engaging people in cycling and physical activity that can be accessed and enjoyed. Much of this is done using adapted bikes.

For those hoping to improve their cycling ability and performance, Steve, the Cycle Stars coach, was there to help and give advice. Their focus is unapologetically on racing and winning. Cycle Stars provide a structured pathway whereby riders are encouraged to try various disciplines, including road, cyclocross, time trials and grass track racing.

Popular with all who rode her, the Evesham Bike Bus is a 10-seat, pedal-powered vehicle used by EAPA to transport children to the adventure playground. It aims to reduce pollution and promote physical activity by replacing some minibus trips with a more sustainable option. The bus is powered by its passengers and also has an electric battery to assist with hills. 

As the first large-scale “Cycling for All Festival,” the event set an optimistic benchmark for future years. It showcased Rotary's commitment to health, community service and inclusivity through sport and recreation. Commenting on feedback from the public, Sandy Capaldi said that she had received thanks and encouraging messages of support for the Festival, with hopes that it might be repeated in the future.

In summary, Rotary’s “Cycling for All Festival” 2025 was a dynamic, family-friendly celebration that combined fun, skill-building, safety awareness and charity - all while inviting everyone to cycle together, regardless of age or ability. The success of this launch paves the way for an annual festival that champions accessible, active living across Worcestershire.

• Mima Meikle, a lady in her 90s riding one of the adapted bikes. Well done Mima!