WE ARE THE CANTERBURY BIKE PROJECT

Working to improve the life chances of young people and help the community

 

LEARNING TO RIDE

Giving children the skills and confidence to cycle on todays roads

 

LEARN

Join us at our fully equipped workshop where we have eight teaching stations for you to learn bicycle mechanics

 

RIDE OUTS

It's all about riding. Guided rides to small community groups. To learn more and register your interest click through.

 

SERVICING AND REPAIRS

Due to the unique way we're funded we don't charge for labour, you only pay for the parts used.

WHAT WE DO

STUDENT & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Through bicycle mechanics we are motivating young people to move back into education, helping to develop resilience, create self-belief and inspire them.

FREE WORKSHOP SESSIONS

Evening teaching sessions for the local community, for young, old, and female specific groups.

COURSES & QUALIFICATIONS

We are a recognised Park Tool school and an approved City&Guilds training centre delivering courses throughout the year.

SERVICE & REPAIRS

Low cost bike repairs for the local community.
No labour charge, only pay for the parts used.

BIKES FOR SALE

Buy a fully refurbished bike at an affordable price, or commission a new build.

Special offers for NHS staff and keyworkers.

BIKES FOR LOAN

Long term loan bikes available for those who would benefit from increased mobility, health or returning to work.

Special offers for NHS staff and keyworkers.

LOCAL GUIDED RIDES

It’s all about riding. Guided rides for small groups. Ride with our team of British Cycling Level 2 qualified ride leaders.

GUIDED DESTINATION RIDES

For a greater experience and challenge join our British Cycling qualified and insured team in exploring terrain outside of our local region.

BOX BUILDS

When buying a new bike online they need to be built up, adjusted, and checked to ensure they are safe

WHEEL BUILD & REPAIR

From replacing a broken spoke, to truing up a wheel set, to building a specific wheel set, or replacing a worn out rim on a much loved hub, we can do it all

E-BIKE SERVICE & REPAIR

Qualified and certified to service and repair all makes of e-bike with full diagnostic capability for Bosch and Shimano power units.

BIKE BUYING ADVICE

Used, new, or custom build we can offer help and advice so that you find the right bike for you.

BASIC BIKE FIT

How a bike fits you, and how you fit the bike will define your experience of cycling. Let’s start with the basics

COMMISSIONED BUILDS

If you have a specification in mind, we can build the bike you want to your exact specification. Click through for a gallery of builds we have completed for our customers.

MEET THE TEAM

Our team are friendly and knowledgeable with a broad spectrum of skills. With a diverse background it’s a wonder they all get along.

But it’s their passion for bikes and cycling that makes them a team. Learn a little about who you’ll meet at the project below.

Steve

Project Manager, Lead Mechanic, Ride Leader, Bikeability Instructor

The founder of the Canterbury Bike Project, Steve had a dream, and he is now 'living the dream'. With an encyclopaedic memory for all things bike, he must have studied all the manufacturers brochures since bikes began, and then went back and memorised the compatibility charts for all group sets ever made. And then there's his private collection, proving that the correct number of bikes is n+1.

Nothing is too much trouble for Steve. He appears calm and collected most of the time, yet we know that beneath this exterior there is a whirlwind of activity making sure the Project runs as smoothly as it does. And nothing is too much for Steve. If you turn up with a broken spoke at the end of the day when Steve is locking up, he'll switch the lights back on and get you up and cycling again.

As for riding style, MTB and Road are interchangeable for Steve. He does like a forest run, but maybe not the climbs that go with it, or the 'ting' of stone off the carbon frame.

Michael

Mechanic, Ride Leader, Wheel Builder

Logical and organised, with a love of 2 wheels, is how we should describe Michael. He likes a place for everything, and to have everything in it's place. A short chat with him in the workshop will involve following him round clearing benches and organising tools. When he's working on a bike however it's a different story...

The Canterbury Bike Project get's Mike away from his corporate day job, and leans on his engineering background. He would wear eau de oil and machine coolant if he could. Although not matching Steve's bike collection in quality, Mike has a collection of bicycles and motorcycles. Some of them in a state that can be ridden, most of them not, as Mike likes a project.

Starting out on a BMX many, many years ago, he has been a mountain bike rider for many years since, but has recently discovered road cycling and all the lycra that goes with it. The appeal, and also the struggle is the mental stamina needed for road cycling. He's still working on that bit...

Matt

Mechanic, Ride Leader, Bikeability instructor

Ever since receiving his Raleigh Speedway in the 1980s (we know, he's looking good for his age - no early morning paper-round for this chap) Matt has been hooked on the freedom of getting out on a bike ride. Adventure cycling, camping and cooking on a little stove In the great outdoors, stinging nettles and thorns, legs feeling the burn; these are what drives Matt's passion. A bit of a masochist if you ask the rest of the team.

Matt is also very passionate about bicycle mechanics, and enjoys sharing his experience of all things bike related with anyone that will listen. The Canterbury Bike Project brings together everything he loves and is proud to be a part of it!

Matt is also an avid Drummer, Musician, Music Technologist, Teacher, Dad.

Fun fact - he failed cycling proficiency.

Will

Ride Leader, Bikeability Instructor

Will rediscovered his passion for cycling after several years away from two wheels preferring the comfort of commuting by car. He stumbled upon The Canterbury Bike Project when in need of assistance, with a disassembled wheel in one hand and a corresponding box of parts containing bearings and cogs in the other. Realising his bike mechanic skills weren't quite up to the job.

Since this first meeting with Steve, the projects Manager, he will admit that he has come a long way and has built several bikes - it's become an obsession as it always does, and Will is another believe in n+1. Just don't tell the wife. In volunteering for The Canterbury Bike Project, he has been able to share his passion for cycling within the local community, meeting new people, building friendships, and is an asset to the team.

He was welcomed onto the team during a riding trip to Wales where Will shared several stories. Many of which we can't share on here for a number of reasons, including legal. However, one we can share is that he once looked after Orlando Blooms mums stick insects when she went on holiday... successfully I might add.

Philippa

Ride Leader

This is Philippa. She like riding bikes. She really like riding in the woods. Although she wouldn’t describe herself as a mountain biker, because "I’m not that cool" (we disagree) she kinda is as she just loves riding trails and fire tracks surrounded by nature, and bizarrely she also like riding up hills - but don’t let that put you off joining her on one of our guided rides.

Another one of our valuable volunteers at the Canterbury Bike Project, she joined the team to help build a local community of women who enjoy riding bikes, particularly away from roads. And to kick things off, she has starting a monthly social ride for like minded folk (they don't have to like hills).

Brian

Bikeability Instructor

This is Brian, he is living in Minster near Ramsgate. Although he has a love and passion for cycling he also unfortunately has a full-time job and has to go to work during the week. However, when he can he volunteers at our project, and what a great guy he is. Those that know him have seen the amount of effort he puts into everything he does.

He is a very keen mountain biker, particularly enduro and downhill riding. Having ridden in many places including the Scottish highlands, Wales, the Alps, he is a bit of a home boy and always love riding the trails at the “local” Covert Woods in Barham where some of you may have seen him hitting the trails.

He joined the project as a way of giving something back within the wonderful world of cycling. He is key to the Canterbury Bike Project's Bikeability instructor team, finding enjoyment from visiting schools and seeing such a positive impact on young people and their bike skills that the Bikeability initiative has.

Brian has completed his British Cycling MTB leader course, and is extending his skills into MTB coaching course, and is at the centre of planning the rides we hold occasionally. As Brian loves these events he is really looking forward to the future events we are planning.

Alan

Teacher, Bikeability Instructor

Our dear Big Al (he's pretty tall) has been hitting the mountain bike trails since 2011, loving to mix it up riding the local trails around Canterbury, as well as heading to the bike parks when he can. A regular in the Forest of Dean since a friend of his moved up there and is still up for accommodating Al and his needs - we're sure that'll wear thin at some stage. His happy place is being out and about in the woods, whether that be riding or walking the dog. Previously he has loved camping and going to various festivals, as well as swimming and water polo which was his first passion before growing a little older and discovering the joy of being on two wheels in the woods.

The natural progression into bike mechanics was due to wanting to save some cash from the expensive trips to the local bike shops, and of course to fix his steed whilst out on the trail. Big Al was introduced to The Canterbury Bike Project by our dear Matt. They knew each other and after Matt turned on the sales pitch Al was keen to volunteer for The Canterbury Bike Project. After meeting with Steve and passing the scrutiny and all of the necessary tests (like buying us some coffee) he was inducted into the Team (well not quite, the education system rightly so makes volunteers jump through specific hoops to be able to work with children and the public - we're still not sure how Al passed)

Al has established himself as a key member of our Bikeability team. As an instructor he spends more time in the playgrounds of the local primary schools than he does at the project. Alongside he's expanded his skills to include mountain bike leadership, and continues to learn bike mechanics from the pros... that's Steve, Mike, and Matt.