Free tips to keep on cycling

Free bike maintenance sessions are being held in Halifax this December as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's £60m CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and walk.

The sessions will take place at the OSCA Foundation Community Sports Hub, Forest Cottage Community Centre, Cousin Lane, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday December 8 and 15.

Attendees will learn how to carry out basic safety checks, mend a puncture, adjust and replace brake blocks and cables, and adjust gears.

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Bikes and equipment are provided. Places are limited and should be booke at cyclecityconnect.co.uk/maintenance-training or phone 01274 753556.

Coun Groves, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “To date, more than 1,000 people have benefitted from our cycle training.

“Whether you cycle every day or whether you haven’t been on a bike in years, our free maintenance sessions will give you the skills to carry out basic checks and repairs, as well as the confidence to tackle roadside issues, such as fixing a puncture.

“We know encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys across West Yorkshire.”

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Coun Bryan Smith, OSCA Foundation Community Sports Hub Board Member and Ward Member for Ovenden, said: “OSCA Foundation Community Sports Hub is delighted to continue its partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide free maintenance, basic bike checks and repairs at our community sports hub along Cousin Lane, Ovenden.

“Making cycling and walking the natural choice for short, everyday journeys around North Halifax to boost health and wellbeing is part of the five year development plan to start local community cycling and walking clubs meeting at the community sports hub.’’

Through the CityConnect programme and in partnership with others, the Combined Authority is not only building new cycling and walking routes and improving existing infrastructure, it also offers a range of free services, including adult cycle training, online challenges and support for businesses.