Kirkcaldy bike group joins free repair scheme

Lang Toun Cycles in Kirkcaldy is taking part in the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme which aims to provide free bike repairs and maintenance to those who need it most in the community.

The community bike shop, operated by Greener Kirkcaldy, is a social enterprise with all profits being invested back to encourage more people in town to get out and cycle.

The brand new project is funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund and Path for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places, with the aim of making cycling more accessible.

David Glover, Greener Kirkcaldy’s cycle workshop and retail co-ordinator, started last month and is running out of a temporary workshop while the organisation finalises new premises.

He said: "We are still in negotiations to secure a shop on the High Street – hopefully by the end of the summer we should have a dedicated base in Kirkcaldy.”

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David added: "The scheme is funded by Transport Scotland and is managed by Cycling UK which will provide £50 for repairs to try to encourage people to get back on their bike as some may be put off from doing the work because they may not be able to afford it.

"If someone’s bike needs more than the £50 to fix it they have the option to top it up – it is all about promoting cycling as a day to day mode of transport, and to show people that they don’t need to take the car for local journeys. They can take their bike instead.”

David has been a keen cyclist his whole life, and highlights the many benefits it brings.

“At Greener Kirkcaldy we are all about the impact that things have on the environment. Cycling not only helps the environment, but it has so many other benefits - it can help with your physical and mental health well-being,” he said.

"There is also the social aspect to it as well. It gets you out of the house and meeting other people with the same interests – we have some great cycling programmes that show where the best places to go are."

The shop offers servicing and repairs, sales of refurbished bikes and accessories. It is also home to its bike and electric-bike loan scheme and runs maintenance workshops and free ‘Dr Bike’ events, where anyone can get a safety check and simple repairs.

He added: “A lot of people may have a bike sitting in the shed and do not know what it needs to make it roadworthy again. It may be new brakes or even cables - if they bring it to us we will be able to give it a health check, and replace anything that it might need done.

"In the future we will be looking to take on volunteers and put them through training such as bicycle mechanic courses and first aid.

"We are hoping that we can get people back out cycling again. We are filling a gap in Kirkcaldy with any money that we make being invested back into the shop."

For more information contact: [email protected]