Throughout August, Portsmouth City Council hosted three free Get Active events, designed to help people travel safely and sustainably while improving health and wellbeing.

Residents across the city attended events in Southsea, Baffins and Hilsea for a wide range of activities, giveaways and expert advice to encourage people to choose greener, healthier ways to get around the city.

These included free bike safety checks and security marking, a cycling obstacle course, free facepainting and inflatable slide for children, as well as discounted used bikes in partnership with Portsmouth Cycle Exchange. One lucky attendee also won a brand-new bike, lock and helmet in a prize draw.

Key statistics from across the events included:

• 289 children took part in cycle training and 154 learnt to ride
• 190 people entered our prize draw to win a bike and accessories
• 220 children tested their cycling skills in our obstacle course
• 25kg of frozen fruit and 30 litres of apple juice were blended to make fruit drinks on our smoothie bike
• 500 high vis goodie bags filled with active travel maps and safety items given to families
• 109 bikes security marked
• 78 bikes were processed through our Bike Doctor clinics providing check-ups and repairs
• 300 children had their faces painted with a Pompey monster design
• 1 bike given away by Cycle Exchange to a lucky winner of their prize draw

Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many families enjoying our beautiful parks and learning about the benefits of active travel. These events are a great way to make cycling and walking more accessible and enjoyable for everyone in Portsmouth.”

The council’s active travel team will now start preparing for an even bigger and better set of events for 2026. Find out more at www.travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/getactive.