Nick Green, Active Travel Manager at the Combined Authority, discusses his excitement at the Tour de France Grand Départ coming to the Liverpool City Region in 2027 and the lasting impact it can have.

As an avid road cyclist, the recent announcement that the second stage of the 2027 Tour de France would finish in Liverpool is thrilling.

My phone buzzed that evening with my cycling companions sharing their excitement, with early plans hatched to see the oldest and most prestigious of the Grand Tours return to the UK.

The event promises to be spectacular: broadcasting the best of our City Region to millions of viewers across the world, with our iconic waterfront providing a fitting backdrop to the second day of the Grand Départ and the conclusion of the 223 km stage.

However, for my colleagues and I in the Liverpool City Region’s Active Travel Team, the significance of this event goes far beyond elite sport. Major events like this can be a catalyst for long-term behaviour change and we see an opportunity to celebrate ‘cycling for all’ and build a meaningful and sustained legacy.

Beyond the finish line

We are currently working with our local authorities to deliver a high-quality, 600km active travel network. Guided by the Mayor’s vision, this network is designed to be safe, comfortable, and attractive – accessible to everyone, for everyday journeys.

Our goal is to make walking, wheeling, and cycling the natural first choice for short trips across the region.

Complementing this investment in infrastructure, our team’s commitment to this legacy is already in motion through several key initiatives, such as:

Education: We manage one of the nation’s largest Bikeability contracts, providing essential cycle training to primary school and secondary school children. The journey to school and places of education is a focus for our team and we are working together as a region to really make a difference to children, young people and their families. Removing barriers to walking, wheeling, and cycling along roads and streets to make access to schools, colleges, and other community education places safer, more pleasant, and comfortable for everyone.

Wellbeing: We support Social Prescribing programmes that use active travel to improve mental and physical health. This could be as simple as a group walking or indeed the loan of a cycle and equipment.

Inclusion: Through the Households into Work team, we equip residents with the tools they need to travel actively to employment opportunities; we are actively researching how to dismantle the specific barriers faced by women and girls; and we support organisations such as Wheels for All to ensure that disabled people can enjoy the freedom and health benefits of cycling.

Behaviour Change: Our programmes encourage residents to rethink how they move, helping to create a City Region that is a more vibrant, liveable place to work and stay.

The Tour de France is coming to our streets, and we are determined to ensure an impact long after the final sprint on the Strand.