We live in interesting times is probably an understatement for the current and developing situation we all find ourselves in. As we are seeing across the country people have the power to come together and energise communities large and small for the benefit of all but particularly the most in need.
Bike4Health is no different and as a Community Interest Company supporting kids, adults, schools, groups and organisations to access and enjoy cycling as part of everyday life we are responding to events as follows.
Unfortunately, all our group cycling activities are now curtailed. With schools now closing all our school cycling activities are paused until further notice. The only exception will be where schools are supporting Essential Workers and wish to keep cycling on the curriculum for those kids. Our social prescribing and disability cycling activities are also curtailed until such time as our clients are happy to re-start those programmes.
We would like to assure all our clients that all planning and preparation for that time will be done in anticipation and readiness to continue with our programmes once we all get through the current situation and life returns to normal.
In the meantime and until we are instructed otherwise our workshop will remain open for business serving all cyclists.
We are of course taking extra precautions at our base and workshop:
• As usual all our mechanics and technicians wear protective gloves when handling bikes and that will continue.
• We will also be asking that at busy times customers maintain an appropriate personal space in our unit AND only one customer at a time will be allowed in the workshop if one of our mechanics needs to discuss or show you issues with your bike.
• We will also provide customers with optional sterile gloves for when they pick their bike up if they wish.
Whilst cycling is usually a very social activity, it has also always been great for just getting out there and away from it all. Cycling as physical exercise in the great outdoors is a great alternative way to maintain social distance and or self isolate whilst getting out of the house.
So in order to support those that wish to continue, or indeed those that wish to start enjoying the benefits of solo cycling (or even family cycling as an isolated group) we will continue to offer our workshop services and in addition will now pickup and return you bike as appropriate for these times.
For the following postcodes we will provide this option at no extra cost:
NE20, NE13, NE23, NE25, NE27, NE28, NE12, NE7, NE6, NE2, NE1, NE4, NE5, NE5.
All other NE postcodes there will be a charge of £10. Where we can we will try and coordinate other pickups within a certain postcode to share the cost across multiple customers.
As before we are able to provide advice and guidance on routes for all abilities using our extensive knowledge and experience of routes across the North East and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We do of course appreciate your continued support and custom at our workshop particularly at this time when our cycling activity and consequently our income is severely curtailed.
For Workshop bookings, pickup and drop off enquiries, new and pre-loved bike sales please email workshop@bike4health.org or call 0191 250 9367.
For route guidance or any other enquiries please email info@bike4health.org or call 0191 250 9357.
We are busy but as our cycling activity is curtailed we have more resources for the workshop activities.
Most of all people continue to #bebikehappy.