December 21, 2023

Barrow Park Pavilion was the venue recently for an Advanced Bike Mechanic Course, delivered by Stage 1 Cycles on behalf of Cycling UK.

Active Cumbria’s Travel Actively pilot project, funded by the Department for Transport, aims to enable people within our target groups to travel more actively for shorter journeys, via walking, wheeling and cycling. It recognises the need to support people to get their bikes fixed, learn about bike maintenance, and we aim to grow a workforce of volunteers and paid roles, not only to fix bikes, but to lead walks and rides, and deliver bike confidence sessions.

This advanced bike maintenance course is designed for the cycling enthusiast, who is looking to develop their mechanical ability. It benefits those who wish to confidently carry out servicing and repairs on their own bike or who may have a responsibility to look after the bikes of others. The two-day course was delivered by professionally qualified instructors, who demonstrated how to carry out a comprehensive range of cycle maintenance tasks and guide trainees through practical sessions. Topics covered included: personal safety, tool and chemical handling; degreasing and gear lubrication; M-check; brakes; gears; transmission; wheels; tyres and tubes and managing the bike to extend component life.

This two day advanced course, free to those who attended, follows on from courses to train future cycle leaders, as well as walk leaders. In January 2024, Cycling UK have been invited by Travel Actively Barrow to deliver a one day basic bike maintenance course and two day outdoor first aid course. Siona Hartley, Barrow’s Development Officer, and Rebecca Leece, Project Officer, are interested to hear from people and organisations within our community who wish to receive free training, so they can be supported to offer led bike rides, guided walks and bike repair workshops.

Contact us on: travelactively@cumberland.gov.uk to express an interest or fill in your details on our website via the following link: Get Involved - Active Cumbria