Cycle repair project launched after hub plan quashed

Andy Von Glehn is a freelance cycling instructor at Avanti Cycling

Cyclists can now get repairs and assistance in the middle of a town centre thanks to a new initiative.

Reading Borough Council and Avanti Cycling's joint Dr Bike scheme began last month.

The sessions are free and open to all, with the project provisionally funded for a year.

It comes after plans for a Cycle Hub in the town were quashed in September 2023.

Andy Von Glehn, a freelance cycling instructor at Avanti, said: “This is an extra service which the council wants to provide, to make sure that people have access to good cycling repair.

“People bring their bikes we give them advice on where they can take them for repairs and make sure they are in reasonable condition so they are safe for the road."

He also encouraged people with bikes that have not been used in a while to bring them and get them "ready for use".

James Turner, a senior transport planner at the council, said: “This is part of our capability behavioural change programme, there are a wide range of programmes, we’ve got an active travel officer, we’ve got various schemes doing free bicycling training and maintenance workshops, and this is one part of that.”

He added that additional Dr Bike sessions could be held over the summer holidays if there was demand.