BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Barclays has announced a two month long series of bike clinics on four key London commuter routes.
In a link up with social enterprise BikeWorks, every Wednesday from 17:00 to 19:30 until the end of June, the firm’s mechanics will pitch up at spots along some of the cycle superhighways, which are also sponsored by the banking group.
Jim Blakemore, co-director of Bikeworks, said: “More than two in five (41 per cent) of London’s cyclists have never had their bike checked by a professional bike shop technician. The 45 clinics Barclays is hosting around the capital provide everyone with the opportunity for a free bike check and our Cycle Into Work graduates are among the best mechanics in the country.”
A new study of over a thousand bike owners, conducted by ICM on behalf of Barclays, apparently reveals close to one in five (18 per cent) people cycle in the dark with no lights, while over a quarter (27 per cent) are riding around with flat tyres.
Ashok Vaswani, CEO of retail and business banking at Barclays, said: “Our research reveals one in five cyclists don’t know how to do any bike maintenance whatsoever. At our bike clinics, cycles will get a free once-over by a qualified mechanic and cyclists will be given some basic bike maintenance tips. We want to inspire as many people as possible to cycle and our research shows 15 per cent of people would cycle more in London if they knew how to better maintain their bikes.”
BIKE CLINIC LOCATIONS
Tower Hamlets: Every Wednesday, 8 May – 3 July
17:00-19:30: Cable Street and Cannon Street
Barclays Cycle Superhighway route: CS3
Kensington and Chelsea: Every Wednesday, 8 May – 3 July
17:00-19:30: Chelsea Bridge – South Side
Barclays Cycle Superhighway route: CS8
Lambeth: Every Wednesday, 8 May – 3 July
17:00-19:30: Kennington Park Road junction with Brixton Road
Barclays Cycle Superhighway route: CS7
Hammersmith and Fulham: Every Wednesday, 8 May – 3 July
17:00-19:30: Eel Brook Common
