Preston Pedals, a group set up to encourage people in Preston to get on their bikes for everyday journeys and save bikes from landfill, will be holding several free sessions to help get people’s bikes back on the road over the next two months. The Climate Action Preston project has received funding from Cycling UK’s Winter Big Bike Revival to run Fix/Dr Bike, Learn to Fix, and Ride sessions during January and February.

“Preston Pedals will be offering different ways to support everyday cycling over winter,” said Julie Ridley, Preston Pedals’ Coordinator. ” At the Dr Bike events, we will be fixing cycles and providing basic safety checks. We will be teaching people returning to cycling cycle skills and how to cycle safely. There will be led rides using local routes to encourage everyday cycling. We will be teaching people maintenance skills at workshops to enable people to learn while doing.”

Read more: New cycle link between Avenham Park and Preston railway station edges closer

There will be three sessions on offer

Fix/Dr Bike  – These sessions offer basic bike repairs for free to encourage people to use their bikes as a healthy, green mode of transport. They will take place at the Climate Emergency Centre, 32 Market Place, Preston, PR1 2AR on Tuesday 16 January and Tuesday 6 February, 10:30 – 14:30. Free, book via Eventbrite.

Learn to Fix – These maintenance workshops teach people to learn how to look after and fix their bikes.  Preston Pedals will supply skilled support and friendly advice in small groups, as well as access to tools to help you refurbish your or a child’s bike, learn new skills or re-skill yourself in basic cycle maintenance. These sessions will take place on 18 January at Sacred Heart Church Hall in Ashton 13:30-16:30; 24 January 17:00-19:00 at Leisure Lakes bike hub near the train station; 11 February at the Climate Emergency Centre at 10:30-13:30; and 16 February at St Stephen’s Church Hall in Broadgate 9:00-12:00. Free, book via Eventbrite.

Social Rides – These led rides start at local parks with trained group leaders to increase cyclists’ confidence on two wheels. The cycle confidence session takes place on 24 February at Moor Park 10.00 am – 12 noon. There will also be an afternoon led ride from the city centre and Avenham Park with Preston Pedals’ e-bikes, starting point and date to be confirmed. Free, bookable via Eventbrite.

Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston

The group is also seeking a base from where they can hold workshops and keep bikes.

“We are still looking for a base and nothing suitable has come up yet,” said Julie.  “Something similar to Bike for Good is needed where we can keep bikes, operate workshops, let people use the space for DIY repairs and carry out repairs and servicing. It would be wonderful if it was big enough to run a café. 

“It could be a place where we sell refurbished bikes at reasonable prices.  We might need to start smaller but it would still need to be big enough to run workshops and have bikes and equipment and mechanics.  If anyone has a suitable space, please drop us a message.”

Book onto Preston Pedals events via Eventbrite. You can follow Preston Pedals on Facebook and contact the group via email prestonpedals@outlook.com

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