Redditch Borough Council is excited to spread festive cheer through a special partnership initiative that combines the joy of giving with the spirit of cycling.

Following on from the success of the events at Arrow Valley Park in Summer 2023, Redditch Borough Council are once again teaming up with Spike Bikes to deliver some pre-Christmas season bike maintenance sessions across the borough.

Designed for anyone who may have purchased a bike for someone special this Christmas, whether it's a second-hand gem that needs a safety check or a shiny new arrival that requires expert guidance for assembly, these sessions aim to ensure everyone walks away with a safe and secure bike ready for gifting.

The sessions are completely free of charge and will be run across the borough by Spike Bikes, who have a proven record of working with the community to maintain bikes to a high standard of safety.

The festive sessions will take place at three different locations on the following dates:

• 9th December, Kingfisher Shopping Centre, 15 New Walk (next to Specsavers), 10am till 5pm. https://KingfisherBikeMaintenance.eventbrite.co.uk
• 16th December, Woodrow Community Centre, 10am till 5pm. https://WoodrowBikeMaintenance.eventbrite.co.uk
• 17th December, Winyates Green Community Centre, 1pm till 6pm. https://WinyatesBikeMaintenance.eventbrite.co.uk

Residents are invited to secure their spots by registering for the events via Eventbrite (all sessions here: https://spikebikes.eventbrite.com). Unfortunately, due to limited spaces and time slots, anyone not booked on via Eventbrite beforehand will be turned away.

Leisure Portfolio Holder, Cllr Joanne Beecham, said: “Bikes have and always will be a very popular gift at Christmas, and for children in particular it can be a milestone event. However, not all of us are confident in building or servicing a bike, so it’s great that we’ve been able to team up with Spike Bikes again to make sure our friends and family are receiving a safe and roadworthy gift, creating special memories and spreading the festive spirit through the joy of learning and riding."

Guided by a merry team of highly trained bike mechanics, or Santa’s helpers, participants will be able to assemble their bikes themselves or learn how to service a used bike properly. This will be followed by a comprehensive safety check conducted by the experts to address any minor issues, leaving participants secure in the knowledge that their bikes are roadworthy.

Cllr Matt Dormer, Leader of the council, said: "Initiatives like these not only help promote road safety and security but are key to encouraging more physical activity and healthier communities. So, whether you're gifting a second-hand treasure or assembling a brand-new delight, come along and join us in making this Christmas season a celebration of safe and joyful cycling.”

Please note, the second-hand sessions will not include aesthetics such as fixing chipped paint but will be purely about safety, making sure that gears, tyres, brakes, etc. are all in good working order.

David Seeds from Spike Bikes said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with Redditch Borough Council in spreading the fun of cycling and ensuring the safety of bikes in the community. Following the success of our summer events, we're excited to offer sessions in the run up to Christmas that include assistance in building a new bike from a box and also safety checking "preloved" bikes to gift.”

For more information or to ask any questions please contact Gomez Vincent on 07809586301 or email sportsdevelopmentenquiries@redditchbc.gov.uk for a chat about whether these sessions are right for you.