Community cycling initiative training young mechanics to maintain and repair bikes
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
A new community bike partnership initiative in North Lanarkshire is aiming to help keep more people moving.
The social enterprise tie-in between ACT member and Cytech-accredited Cairney Cycles and Newmains Community Trust already offers people in the local community bike rentals as well as MOTs and repairs.
Now it’s expanded its services, and is offering offer high quality bike mechanic training, as an increase in the number of cyclists will require more and better trained quality service technicians.
The Newmains team already includes two new members, Graham Stewart and Ava Cope, and there are plans to provide a bike building service at Christmas to ensure that frustrated mums and dads won’t be left holding the handlebars while the rest of the gathered family are tucking into the turkey.
Connor Mooney, owner of Cairney Cycles and lead mechanic, said: “I’m incredibly excited about Cairney Cycles partnership with the Newmains Community Trust.
“We’re expanding what I’ve already been doing in terms of repairs and retailing by educating young mechanics. Three days a week we’ll be operating a repair shop from here and we’re looking to grow the team between now and March.
“You can come here and have your bike serviced at a community centre price, and by doing that you’ll also be helping the young mechanics of the future.
“We’re building courses that will suit school leavers, job seekers and young people on the Princes Trust. I think we’re the only ones in Lanarkshire putting the emphasis on the workshop education side of things.
“What’s on offer at the moment elsewhere, in my opinion, isn’t fit for putting people into jobs in a mechanics workshop. We have an advantage, and the Cairney Cycles wider network will be working with Shimano service centres.
“In an ideal world we could employ everyone who goes through the training successfully, we can’t, but we can help them look for onward employment opportunities.
“The NCT have been supportive of the longer-term vision and with their continued help our teams have been able to repair more bikes affordably, whilst educating young mechanics and providing a premium service.
“Graham and Ava are both keen experienced cyclists and are supporting the delivery of our ‘in-the-saddle’ activity.”
Connor and his team offer a premium bike repair service and can give great tips on maintaining your own bike and keeping yourself on the road. There’s also the chance to try out cycling activities at Strathclyde Park every Saturday.
Connor continued: “You’ll find us at the park’s foreshore car park where we offer our cycling knowledge and equipment, rentals of ebikes, family trikes and more. This will be offered into the autumn, or as long as the weather remains decent for cycling.”
Mary-Anne McCafferty, Development Manager at Newmains Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Cairney Cycles to develop a partnership project that promotes cycling through in-the-saddle activity and education and skills building, their expertise brings a new facet to our team.
"We hope to secure funding for a permanent home for the project that will see our partnership grow, ensuring cycling and learning are at the heart of Newmains for generations to come.”