Big Bike Revival Meets the Repair Cafe
‘Make do and mend’ saves money, is good for the environment and is also an opportunity to learn some new skills: this was the thinking behind our Bike Bike Revival event at our local Repair Cafe recently.
What a wonderful day we had. We were invited to join our local Repair Cafe session where volunteers with a wide range of repair skills - such as electrical, sewing, upholstery and knife-sharpening - assess and repair items brought in by members of the public. The project saves items going into landfill, helps reduce the need to spend money on new items and is also a very friendly, social occasion - made even more welcoming by the delicious homemade cakes available!
Meet the Repair Cafe
Our local Repair Cafe - in Kettering, North Northants - is held in a lovely church nestled in the heart of the community not far from the town centre. Being there and chatting to the friendly church warden made me realise what a huge amount of community activities take place there (for those of any faith or none) and how valuable these venues are.
And the Big Bike Revival
So now onto our Big Bike Revival event. The Big Bike Revival is a fantastic initiative led by everyday cycling charity Cycling UK. It helps adults start cycling or ride again with free events, workshops, and training sessions. Events offer opportunities to get your cycle fixed, learn new skills or take part in a local led ride. Brightwayz is one of many local grassroots organisations running these events across England, with the aim of making cycling available to all.
Here at Brightwayz we have been delivering Big Bike Revival events on behalf of Cycling UK for several years. We know from experience that the most successful events are those that link in with other like-minded partners. Therefore holding our first BBR event of the year at the local, popular Repair Cafe made complete sense.
Fix and Show
Whilst doing basic fixes on bikes that were brought along we are mindful that if owners understand what we are doing (and even get involved themselves) the long term benefits are even greater than their bike being ‘ride ready’.
For example a young lad who had brought his bike along with rather soft wheels not only has a bike with pumped up tyres but knows how to do it himself - as the ‘I’ll show you the first one and you do the second one’ approach worked with pumping his tyres up. Those who really get into it and have a go at fixing a puncture with us can get a free cycle repair kit to equip them for future needs.
More Than Repairs
This event was also a great chance to provide other cycle related services - such as free bike marking which we did on several bikes, handing out local cycle maps and having a general chat about related issues such as school run traffic solutions and getting more cycle paths.
So now we have taken down the gazebo (thank you Cycling UK), put the signs away and folded up our bunting ready for our next event.
Join Us
If you are in the local area do come and join us for our next Big Bike Revival event. We will be at the Volunteer Week special market in Kettering town centre on Saturday 31 May 2025. Look out for us at Kettfest on Saturday 14 June too (and leading up to it our ‘Get to Kettfest’ green travel campaign and incentives) - it’s an amazing arts, music and community event and definitely worth a visit even if you come from afar.
If you are running your own ‘cycle service’, ‘learn to fix’ or similar event, check out our fun stickers and other useful incentives to help boost participation.
We are really looking forward to running more Big Bike Revival events this summer and will share some more of our tips and ideas in our future blogs and enews - so make sure you are signed up!
Reflector Shop pack
High Vis Child Waistcoat
Brightwayz Bike Bell
Cycle Event Circle Stickers 
Cycle Repair Tool Set 
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