A NEW project to encourage Borderers to get on their bikes is coming to Peebles later this month.

The Big Bike Revival will provide bike health checks, and share maintenance knowhow to give people more confidence in the saddle.

It is being run by Live Borders and the Cycling Development Group and will see the ‘Dr Bike’ sessions rolled out across the Borders.

The free events follow last year’s primary school coaching sessions.
Chris Bryant, chair of the Scottish Borders Cycling Development Group, said: “We had the idea to offer more help after last year’s successful Cycle Skools sessions. 

“Some parents would accompany their children to the sessions but others didn’t have bikes that were in a good state of repair. 

“We would like to help local communities make the most of some-times neglected bikes before the summer starts. Hopefully everyone will be able to cycle more over the summer months.”

The programme was developed by Cycling UK and is being funded by Transport Scotland.

Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK’s head of development Scotland, added: “The Big Bike Revival in Scotland reached communities across the length and breadth of Scotland in 2016, from small rural villages to local communities in our biggest cities. 

“This year we are delighted to partner with Live Borders and the Cycling Development Group in the Scottish Borders to help people fall back in love with cycling again.

“For those of us that cycled as a kid, we all remember our bikes and how wonderful a bike ride was. The Big Bike Revival wants to capture that feeling for people who stopped cycling years or decades ago and reignite their love of cycling. 

“We’re pleased to work across Scotland to help people in local communities enjoy the many benefits of cycling, and support them to swap the car when it comes to everyday trips.”

The free event will take place at the Gytes Leisure Centre on Monday, May 22 from 6pm-7pm.

For more information, visit http://www.bigbikerevival.org.uk