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Bike maintenance skills

Suitable for primary and secondary school pupils.

Overview

Education phase

Early years Key stage 2 Key stage 3 Key stage 4 Key stage 5 Key stage 1

Categories of activity

Travel

Types of activity

Cycling Road Safety

How it helps

  • Develops practical life skills
  • Builds cycling confidence
  • Gateway to other cycling initiatives

About the activity

Bike maintenance sessions provide practical skills to help your school community keep their bikes roadworthy.

Liaise with a bike mechanic or a knowledgeable member of staff to hold hands-on sessions allowing pupils to gain a better understanding with the mechanics of how a bike works and allow them to ask questions, gaining knowledge and skills.

Sessions can cover the basics of making sure your bike is safe to use with an ABC (air, brakes, chain) check, through to repairing punctures, putting a chain back on, and more advanced bike mechanics. 

What you'll need

  • Basic tools and puncture repair equipment. A hired mechanic may be able to bring these
  • Designated space in the school grounds, ideally with shelter
  • Bike mechanic(s) to provide expert knowledge and guidance (or a knowledgeable member of staff)
  • Budget for a bike mechanic

Liaise with your borough travel planning officer as they may have resources and ideas.

Activity steps

Step 1

Prepare. Liaise with your borough travel planning officer who may recommend a bike mechanic or a local cycle shop. Engage with a bike specialist/staff to hold the session & set a date.

Step 2

Promote. Spread the word about the bike maintenance skills session in your school's newsletter, on notice boards, website and in assemblies

Step 3

Outcome. Pupil feedback on the session, was it helpful, what was learnt or was there any challenges. What practical skills did they develop and what else would they like to learn?

Step 4

Tell your story! Upload your evidence to "my activities"