News

Take Part in Cycling Scotland's Workplace Cycle Challenge!

The Bike Station — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:53:25 +0000

Get active and WIN PRIZES doing it!

Cycling Scotland have partnered with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives to create a Cycle Challenge, open to all workplaces in Scotland.

The challenge, running through January and February, allows you to compete with colleagues or with other workplaces to see who can cycle the most miles each month, with lots of PRIZES to be won!

All miles cycled will be recorded via the free app or entered manually on the website. Templates, posters and other useful tools will be available to help you coordinate and promote your Workplace Cycle Challenge, giving you more time to focus on winning!

A leadership board will show your progress on the PleaseCycle website where all individual and workplace cycle data will be stored. Each employee can also set individual goals and challenges and will gain rewards and prizes.

The prizes that will be up for grabs include:

- 3 x Dawes Discovery Sport 1 2014 Hybrid bikes – To qualify for prize record 25 or more journeys throughout January/February

- 23 x DRAPER 4 Person Picnic Set – To qualify for prize record at least 15 journeys

- 3 x £100 Decathlon Vouchers – To qualify for prize record at least 10 journeys

- 20 x £20 Decathlon Vouchers – To qualify for prize record at least 10 journeys

- 10 x Mac-in-a-sac Cycling Jackets – to qualify for prize record at least five journeys

- 10 x Santini 365 Roubaix Gloves – to qualify for prize record at least one journey

- 30 x Smart Lux Bike light sets – to qualify for prize record at least one journey

On top of the individual prizes, there will also be prizes awarded to the top three workplaces using the Cycling Scotland PleaseCycle Hub. The three workplaces that have the highest average number of journeys per active participant throughout the challenge period will be in with a chance of winning a cycle maintenance prize package worth £200.

For more information please see the Cycling Scotland website, or REGISTER HERE to take part in a Workplace Cycle Challenge now!

Recycle to Cycle Annual General Meeting 2014

The Bike Station — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:00:12 +0000

Recycle to Cycle Annual General Meeting – Saturday 15^th November 2014

It is time again for Recycle to Cycle, the organisation behind the Bike Station, to hold its Annual General Meeting. This is an opportunity to look at the work and activities of the organisation over the past year and to elect the board's directors for the coming year.

The meeting will start at 6pm on Saturday 15^th November 2014. There will be a short presentation on the project's work followed by the formal business of the meeting. You are also invited to join us afterwards for a social catch up.

As someone involved with or interested in the Bike Station we hope that you will be able to join us.

Time: 6-8pm

Location: The Bike Station workshop

250 Causewayside

Edinburgh

EH9 1UU

If you are planning on attending, we would be grateful if you could RSVP to info@thebikestation.org.uk or the address above.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Chris Brace

Bike Station board (Chairman)

20/10/14

£100 Commonwealth Games Legacy Cycle Parking Available

The Bike Station — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:37:51 +0000

Following the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Cycling Scotland, in partnership with Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland, have made available Legacy Cycle Parking for Scottish workplaces, universities and colleges.

By providing low cost cycle racks to businesses and organisations, the aim is to encourage and enable people to travel more actively, and to help their organisation promote active journeys and reduce local traffic congestion.

Each rack can accommodate 10 bikes. Successful applicants will contribute just £100 towards the cost of the rack, delivery and installation (valued at £800).

To apply read the Legacy 2014 Cycle Parking Guidelines, and once ready you can complete your application online here. The deadline for submissions is Friday 17th October 2014

Edinburgh Bike Station Recycles 40,000th Bike

The Bike Station — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:40:36 +0000

This month the Edinburgh Bike Station reached the momentous target of recycling our 40,000th bike.

From a small start at Castlecliff, through a move to Waverley Station, before settling at 250 Causewayside, these 40,000 bikes have helped support many thousands of cyclists to get on their bike and take up cycling.

Steve Hynd of the Edinburgh Bike Station - Courtesy of Edinburgh Evening News

We try to recycle every bike that gets donated to us, and even if a bike can't be refurbished we can strip it of parts to sell on to cyclists in need of secondhand parts, helping to keep cyclists on the road.

The Edinburgh Evening News recently ran a story about our achievement - you can read it here.

Want to own bike number 40,001? Pop into our shop (open 10am - 5pm on Tuesday to Saturday) to browse our ever changing selection of adult and kids refurbished bikes. We are also always happy to receive your old bikes you no longer want for recycling.

And here's to the next 40,000 bikes!

Perth Bike Station supports Aberfeldy Bike Project

The Bike Station — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:22:48 +0000

The Perth Bike Station have for the last 12 months been a proud supporter of the Aberfeldy Bike Project. This intiative was set up in association with The Robertson Trust, to help teach young people key bike mechanic skills. Led by Perth Bike Station's Mark Sinclair, the project has so far helped three local school children to learn useful skills.

The project has been further boosted as the three young men who received training have been selected to attend the Etape Caledonia, one of the best known cycling events in Scotland, to observe the top class mechanics in action there.

Highland Perthshire News has reported the story:

Through contact made via Perth & Kinross’s C’llr Williamson with the Etape Caledonia organisers, a training group of young men at the Breadalbane campus has been granted an exclusive opportunity during this year's cycle event involving over 5,000 participants.

Three fortunate youngsters were granted access to the 'yellow tent' technical support stations manned by the team from MAVIC cycles and equipment, providing the trainees with valuable ‘observation and action’ opportunity alongside highly skilled mechanics in very busy circumstances.

Core Skills Certificate

Over the past 12 months the trainees have met weekly in the ‘Bike Shed’ workspace behind Breadalbane Academy where they have been coached in the core skills of bicycle mechanics by qualified instructor Mark Sinclair:

His career spans 20 years in the bike industry in Edinburgh, and includes five years operating his own sales and maintenance operation in Auchterarder. For the past four years he has been running the Perth-based branch of the social enterprise The Bike Station.

A qualified instructor for Velotech, one of the two national cycle qualification awarding bodies, he told Comment: “These three trainees have now received their Bronze certificates in cycle maintenance, and this splendid Etape opportunity fits neatly with the aims of our project, where professional mechanics and young trainees can work along side each other. At a point when they have achieved their first certificated level, I hope it will motivate these young men to look to the achievement of the next, the Silver Award".

“That stage will require a further commitment and training, in which they are all interested, and I am confident that they can achieve it. To assist in this training they will undertake a period of voluntary work at The Bike Station in Perth and work along side my mechanics for a week during their school holidays. This will again give them the work experience and an understanding of the commitment that is involved - something which lies at the core of this project”.

C’llr Mike Williamson observed: “I would like it noted that the Aberfeldy Bike project could not happen without the support of Head Teacher Linda Swan and the dedicated tuition of Mark Sinclair from the Bike Station in Perth. I am also grateful to IMG Challenger World, organisers of Etape Caledonia, for making this happen. Who knows, we may now have a future Tour de France technician in our midst”.

James Robinson, Managing Director at IMG Challenger World, said: "We were delighted to assist with creating this opportunity. We have always worked closely with the local community, and many of the local cadets are integrally involved with the operations of the event at the finish line. It’s fantastic that we have been able to extend these opportunities to even more local youngsters, giving them access to world class technical skills and a very memorable work experience placement".

Pictured in the campus workshop are, from the right: Mark Sinclair and trainees Kieran MacKenzie, Conner Meldrum and Greg Whitman.

To read the whole story please visit Highland Perthshire news

Summer Dates for Edinburgh Dr Bikes

The Bike Station — Mon, 05 May 2014 09:39:40 +0000

Dr Bike is out and about this summer in Edinburgh! Come along to any of the free events below to get a free bike safety check, chat to our staff about cycle routes and travelling around the city by bike, and improve your cycling confidence and brush up on your skills with a free taster cycle lesson.

You can find us at Middle Meadow Walk; Fiveways Junction; Craigleith Junction; Farmer's Market, Castle Terrace, and Leamington lift bridge at the dates listed below, right through from May until the end of August:

Wednesday 7th May - Craigleith Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 10th May - Farmer's Market, Castle Terrace - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 14th May - Fiveways Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 17th May - Fiveways Junction - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 28th May - Leamington Lift Bridge - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 31st May - Leamington Lift Bridge - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 4th June - Middle Meadow Walk (TBC) - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 7th June - Middle Meadow Walk (TBC) - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 11th June - Craigleith Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 14th June - Farmer's Market, Castle Terrace - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 18th June - Fiveways Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 21st June - Fiveways Junction - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 25th June - Leamington Lift Bridge - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 28th June - Leamington Lift Bridge - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 2nd July - Middle Meadow Walk - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 5th July - Middle Meadow Walk - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 9th July - Craigleith Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 12th July - Farmer's Market, Castle Terrace - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 16th July - Fiveways Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 19th July - Fiveways Junction - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 23rd July - Leamington Lift Bridge - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 26th July - Leamington Lift Bridge - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 30th July - Middle Meadow Walk - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 2nd August - Middle Meadow Walk - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 6th August - Middle Meadow Walk - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 9th August - Craigleith Junction - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 13th August - Craigleith Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 16th August - Farmer's Market, Castle Terrace - 10am - 1pm.
Wednesday 20th August - Fiveways Junction - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 23rd August - Fiveways Junction - 10am - 1pm. Cancelled
Wednesday 27th August - Leamington Lift Bridge - 3 - 6pm.
Saturday 30th August - Leamington Lift Bridge - 10am - 1pm.

Changes to Perth Bike Station Opening Hours

The Bike Station — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:57:57 +0000

We are pleased to let you know that Perth Bike Station has increased it's opening hours, and is now open for adult and kid's bike sales and bike part sales six days a week (Monday - Saturday), between 10am and 5pm. They are also open at these times for donations of any unwanted bikes and parts.

The Fix Your Own Bike sessions will continue to run on Wednesday's (4pm - 8pm) and on Saturday's (1pm - 5pm) as per usual.

Perth Bike Station by Skill Share Dundee

You can find the Perth branch of the Bike Station at Unit 11, Mid Friarton Business Park, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8EL, and they can be contacted on 01738 444430.

Look foward to seeing you there!

Edinburgh Bike Station Supports Cycle Friendly Employers

The Bike Station — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:02:01 +0000

The Edinburgh Bike Station has, in conjunction with Cycling Scotland, been engaging with the local business community and supported several local businesses and organisations to be designated as Cycle Friendly Employers.

The Cycle Friendly Employer Award was developed by Cycling Scotland to give employers the incentive and focus to promote and enable cycling in the workplace, which results in benefits for employees, employers and the wider community. The award provides best practice guidance in relation to cycle commuting and can be used as a practical tool to implement cycle friendly measures and improvements in the workplace.

As an official service centre, The Edinburgh Bike Station provides regional support and delivery of the award.

New local Cycle Friendly Employers that the Edinburgh Bike Station has recently supported to achieve the award include:

National Trust for Scotland - Hermiston Quay
Energy Saving Trust Scotland
Heriot-Watt University
Soilutions Ltd.
JDSU Edinburgh
SKM Edinburgh
Changeworks
and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

If you work for a business or organisation that has excellent facilities for cyclists, or you feel that your workplace's cycle facilities could benefit from some improvement, then you can find out more and register for the Award here.

Recycle to Cycle Annual General Meeting – Sunday 10th November 2013

The Bike Station — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 14:14:52 +0000

The meeting will start at 2pm on Sunday 10^th November 2013. There will be a short presentation on the project's work followed by the formal business of the meeting.

As someone involved with or interested in the Bike Station we hope that you will be able to join us.

Time: 2pm until 4pm

Location: The Bike Station workshop

250 Causewayside

Edinburgh

EH9 1UU

If you are planning on attending, we would be grateful if you could RSVP to info@thebikestation.org.uk or the address above.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Chris Brace

Bike Station board (Chairman)

31/10/13

Recycle to Cycle Annual General Meeting – Friday 19th October 2012

The Bike Station — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:14:09 +0000

It is time again for Recycle to Cycle/Recycle to Cycle Ltd, the companies behind the Bike Station, to hold their Annual General Meeting. This is an opportunity to look at the work and activities of the organisation over the past year and to elect the board's directors for the coming year.

The past year has provided some significant challenges to the project but following a reorganisation and the revamp of the workshop we are now well placed to continue the valuable work our staff, volunteers and funders make possible.

Volunteers to join the committee and help with the management of the organisation are welcomed - please contact the Bike Station if you are interested.

The meeting will start at 5pm on Friday 19^th October 2012. There will be a short presentation on the past year's work and looking forward to the year ahead followed by the formal business of the meeting.

Time: 5pm until 7pm

Location: The Bike Station – Kittle Yards office

1 Kittle Yards

Edinburgh

EH9 1PJ

If you are planning on attending, we would be grateful if you could RSVP to info@thebikestation.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you there.