This summer, the Transport Office is working in partnership with The Bike Station to offer free online bike maintenance classes for staff and students. Learn how to fix your own bike and be prepared for a great summer of cycling – whether that’s commuting to work or going on a holiday adventure! The classes are running from 21st June – 2nd July 2021. All last one hour and will take place through Zoom. Some classes are being repeated. You can sign up at bookwhen.com/fyob There are several different workshops to choose from: Workshop Date and time Introduction to your bike Monday 21st June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm Monday 28th June, 5pm – 6pm Puncture Repair Tuesday 22nd June, 5pm – 6pm Tuesday 29th June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm Cleaning and oiling your bike Thursday 24th June, 5pm – 6pm Thursday 1st July, 12.30pm – 1.30pm All about your front gears Wednesday 23rd June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm All about you rear gears Wednesday 30th June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm Looking after your rim brakes Friday 25th June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm Looking after your disc brakes Friday 2nd July, 12.30pm – 1.30pm More information about each workshop Introduction to your bike This introductory session will give you the fundamentals you need to feel comfortable around your bicycle. It covers what cyclists call, the ‘M-Check’, an all-over check of your bike to make sure it is safe to ride. Along the way, you’ll get to know your bike, learn the anatomy of it, and pick up some basic cycling terminology. Puncture Repair This session will give you a solid understanding of how to fix a puncture. Punctures happen and they're a bummer. But they don't have to mean seeing your bike sit sadly on the wayside. From the essential tools and approach to fixing punctures, to how to prevent them in the first place, this is an essential session. Every cyclist should know how to fix a puncture! Cleaning and oiling your bike This class will teach you how to look after your bike by keeping it clean and lubricated. This is an essential skill that will keep your bike running smoothly and reduce wear and tear. It can also help you save money by avoiding more expensive repairs in the long run. It is especially important if your bike lives outside. All about your front gears and All about you rear gears Gears are what allow you to maintain a comfortable cycling speed whether on the flat or working your way up a hill. They are like an ace up your sleeve in terms of making whatever terrain you are on work for your cycling ability. These two sessions will demystify the parts and purpose of the gears on the front and rear of your bike, focussing on what we call the derailleurs. You'll learn how to maximise whatever number of gears you have on your bike, how to shift smarter and avoid chain wear and tear. Looking after your rim brakes and Looking after your disc brakes Brakes can be intimidating, but with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can adjust and change their brakes. These beginner-level sessions will cover the basics of your particular braking system, how to adjust them, and proper maintenance to ensure your bike is safe and ready for the road. Sign up for a class now! All sessions are led by the Bike Station’s head mechanic. You’ll get live instruction and support in small groups, and gain useful skills and knowledge so you can maintain your own bike in confidence. Sign up here: bookwhen.com/fyob The Bike Station is a charity which formed nearly 20 years ago as an informal bike swap at Sciennes Primary School in Edinburgh. They have since grown to become a Scotland-wide professional bicycle recycling business. This article was published on 2024-02-13
