Bike workshop a group effort

FOUR Community groups are joining forces to deliver a free bike maintenance workshop this Saturday.

From 10am to 12pm at Barkly Square, the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House together with the Ballarat Tool Library, Ballarat Men’s Shed, and the Y Ballarat will teach attendees how to keep their bikes in top condition.

With funds provided by a VicRoads Community Road Safety grant and facilitated through the Y’s ReCranked program, Ballarat Tool Library treasurer Greg Jakob said the collaboration is a natural fit for the groups.

“What we’ve been trying to do is enable people to be more self-sufficient not just with house maintenance but also with their equipment which is part and parcel what the others want,” he said.

“We’ll have three bike experts coordinated by myself and some other toolies who’ll help with setup and support for the day.

“If it proves to be very popular then no doubt this collaboration will continue.”

The workshop will cover topics like puncture repairs, brake adjustments and general bike upkeep with the ReCranked program aiming to promote the wider use of safer cycling practices.

Sarah Greenwood-Smith, BENH’s manager said the joint endeavour allows each group to highlight their offerings to the community.

“There’s 23 groups here at Barkly Square. We need to leverage each other and amplify each other’s messages through this sort of thing,” she said.

“Partnering and working together. That’s how we get things done and get the message out to different audiences as well.”

Register to this weekend’s bike maintenance workshop by contacting 0422 612 052 or [email protected].