Since starting the Bristol Bike Project in December of 2008, we have worked with many young people and their bikes, many of whom have expressed an interest in learning more and developing their bicycle mechanic skills. As such, we have now dedicated two days a week to working exclusively with young people, where they will receive more attention from our project-workers.

As well as teaching young people about bicycle mechanics, we especially want to engage young people from disadvantaged communities in positive, safe and healthy activities, and by doing so, help to tackle the isolation and marginalisation that causes low self esteem and poverty of opportunity.

The programme is strongly committed to equal opportunities and the Bristol Bike Project prides itself on providing a levelling environment where all are equal and respected no matter what their background. We want to offer the young people that we work with, the chance to be in contact with those who can provide both positive male role models as well as experienced skills within a supportive, stimulating and non-judgemental environment.

The Young People’s Bike Program is inspiring and motivating because:

• The activity is both fun and positive and the skills gained are immediately applicable.
• The program is based on the sense of involvement and satisfaction in a very inclusive and hands-on manner.
• It motivates the most disadvantaged young people to get on their bikes, to keep healthy and to eventually get more involved in an exciting and diverse community project.

Come and try

First of all, you need to know if you or the young people that you are working with could be interested in working with bicycles. We therefore invite you to come along to the workshop for an hour and to get stuck in, during which time you will have the opportunity to start understanding how a bicycle works, meet us and see our fabulous workshop!  If it seems to be something that you or your young person/people find interesting and exciting, we can discuss how best to move forward and what options are available. We are happy to work on a one-to-one basis or with groups of up to four young people at any one time. Our instructors will only work with a maximum of two young people at any one time – therefore our prices for more than two people, will include two instructors.

On hour taster (group max. 4):

1 person: £15 
/ one hour

Six Week Bicycle Mechanics Course

Gain a certificate of general bicycle skills & maintenance by taking part in our 6 week-courses, during which time you will:

• Gain a good understanding of how a bike works.
• Learn how to recognise a range of problems with a bike and be confident in resolving them.
• Carry out a selection of useful adjustments, repairs and servicing tasks.
• Use a selection of general and specialist tools.

For this course to be effective and comprehensive, you will need to attend regularly (cancellations need to be made 48hours in advance) every week for six continuous weeks. At the end of the program and depending upon the circumstances, the young person will be given the option to continue by joining the Bristol Bike Project in the broader sense and to help us with repairs and our “Earn a bike” scheme.

One 2 hour session (group max. 4):

1 person: £15 
/ one hour

‘Earn-A-Bike’

Once in possession of the Bicycle Mechanic Certificate, your young person will work with us to refurbish a secondhand bike that has been donated to the Project, to turn it into a  roadworthy bike that he/she can then take away and use as a healthy mode of transport. We will expect your young person to spend four hours of his/her time working with us. They will then have the opportunity to learn how to ride their bike in a safer way during a session of on-road training.

4 hours (for one person): £65

This price includes a good quality D-Lock and set of front & rear lights.

‘Reparation work / Community service (YOT)

This is offered during our Monday and Tuesday Young People sessions. The young people will be given the opportunity to carry out activities which are going to benefit the project and wider community such as helping us to sort out and recycle bicycles and helping us to fix bikes. Once the young people have gained enough experience and confidence during this time, and if we consider them appropriate, we will give them the opportunity to help us with our other bike-related programs here at the project alongside our adult volunteers.

Time of placement needs to be discussed with the co-ordinator.
1 person: £15 
/ one hour

Sessions can be booked in advance for a slot on either a Monday or Tuesday between 9am to 5pm. There is also the possibility of booking a session on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday between 6pm to 9pm.

The Young People’s Bike Program Team