Leigh mum praises bike library for starting an amazing health journey
Claire Carey and Gianfranco at Leigh Bike Library
A mother-of-six from Leigh has credited a local bike library with kickstarting her remarkable health transformation.
Claire Carey, 47, was struggling with her weight and “on the cusp” of Type 2 Diabetes when she decided to join Leigh Bike Library a year ago after her youngest son, Gianfranco, suggested they go cycling together.
Before then, Claire hadn’t been on a bike for more than three decades. But, after loaning one from the library, she quickly hit her stride and has “never looked back”.
Not only is she seven stone lighter and regular riding up to 17 miles, she’s also taken up strength training, paddleboarding and open water swimming – even completing the 1-Mile Greater Manchester Swim back in May.
Claire said: “I’d been overweight since the birth of my first child in 2000 when I gained five stone, and my weight has been up and down since then.
I also gained a stone and a half in 2024 when I quit smoking, and by spring 2025 I was on the cusp of type 2 diabetes which was a huge wakeup call.
Gianfranco, who was seven at the time, wanted me to cycle with him so I joined Leigh Bike Library and, on 7 July 2025, got on a bike for the first time in 35 years.
It was really hard work at first and I could barely cycle two miles before being exhausted – so I was a sweaty mess, but I loved it!
After a couple of weeks I was cycling most days, increasing my distance, and my weight loss was significant because I was burning so many calories.
In the two months I had a bike loan, I dropped 15kg and was noticing a lot of lower body changes and toning. I then started open water swimming and have never looked back.
In 12 months I’ve lost seven stone, I’m eight-and-a-half stone lighter than my heaviest weight, and my ‘metabolic age’ is now two years lower than my actual age!”
Claire decided to use weight loss medication for part of her journey, describing it as “a very useful tool” when combined with her increased activity levels.
But she said: “Getting on a bike was the catalyst to finally losing weight and, more importantly, becoming healthier and fitter.
It’s been really good my mental health too. I’ve had anxiety and low mood in the past, and because of my body shape I’ve never felt comfortable in my own skin.
Now I’ve got a lot more confidence to get out and do things, and I’ve met more people so there’s that social side of it as well.
Cycling is amazing and has given me so much freedom and enjoyment over the past year. Thank you, Leigh Bike Library!”
Claire, who has since bought her own bike, added: “My two big goals for this year are to cycle 50 miles in one journey and to swim 2.5k at a race in September. I’ve also signed up to swim five miles at Coniston next year!
“If I can do it after years of being inactive and not really being interested in my health, then I believe anyone can.”
Opened at Leigh Youth Hub in April 2023 by Wigan Council’s Be Well service, Leigh Bike Library is Greater Manchester’s most successful bike loaning service with 545 members.
A second Be Well Bike Library was opened at Wigan’s Gearing Up Workshop in February this year, with 194 residents already signing up.
Members can loan bikes, helmets and other cycling equipment free of charge for up to two months at a time – after which they have the option to buy their bike for much cheaper than it would cost to buy a new one. They can also get free bike repairs from qualified bike mechanics to help them stay on the road.
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “It seems like such a simple thing but, as Claire’s story proves, just having that opportunity to borrow a bike can be the first step on the journey to something bigger.
Like Claire, it could be improving your health or spending more time with family, or it could be a saving money and being more active while commuting to work.
The Bee Network has brought big improvements to cycle routes across the borough in recent years, making it easier for people to get about by bike, and our Be Well Bike Libraries have been a huge success story in opening cycling up to more residents.
It’s a completely free service and there are a full range of bikes available to borrow for people of all ages, including children’s bikes so young people can learn and develop their skills and confidence without it costing a fortune for families.
We’re really proud to see the real difference it’s making for Claire and so many other residents.”
Leigh Bike Library is open on the first Saturday of each month (9am - 12noon) as well as on the first and third Mondays (5pm - 7pm, excluding Bank Holidays).
Meanwhile, Wigan Bike Library opens Wednesday evenings from 4pm-7pm, as well as on the third Saturday of the month (9am - 12noon).
Find out more about Be Well Bike Libraries on the Be Well website (external link).
Watch Claire's story on Be Well's YouTube channel (external link).
Posted on Tuesday 11th August 2026