Things are already gearing up (forgive the expression) for this year’s Bike Week, which takes place at venues across Britain from June 18 to 26. As with last year the series of events – which aims to promote “everyday cycling for everyone” – is sponsored by Team Green Britain, the initiative founded by EDF Energy to help find ways to reduce carbon footprints. Cynics at the back please stop sniggering… Regardless, Bike Week will include a range of activities for cyclists of all ability including charity fundraisers, traffic-free rides, displays, demonstrations, training sessions and much more besides. But the main ticket for this year’s Bike Week will be the ambitious sounding “Britain’s Biggest Bike Fix” which aims to get, yes you guessed it, as many bikes back in to good running order as possible.
By their estimates 77% of us own bikes but only around 14% of us use them in any sort of regularity – often due to the fact that once-loved machines now languish ever-so-slightly-broken in cobwebbed garages. With this in mind Bike Week are seeking out volunteers, either professional mechanics or enthusiastic (and presumably competent) amateurs, to join their Dr Bikes service and lend a hand at local points across the country. Details of how to get involved as a fixer or fixee are available at: www.bikeweek.org.uk
Their useful guide to the Top Ten Maintenance Tips is also available here.
