The grand opening of the Positive Cycles Community Bike Shop took place on 6 February.
Opening the shop was true cycling royalty in the form of Chris Boardman MBE, Walking & Cycling Commissioner for Greater Manchester Combined Authority. He was joined by VIPs including leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Jean Stretton and a range of people from across the community organisations of Oldham.
Based on Albion Street on the Tommyfield Market, the aims of the project are simple – to bring affordable cycling to the people of Oldham. But in reality, the aims are far more wide-reaching than this. In fact, it isn’t even about bikes. Sure, the bikes are central but this is more about getting people healthy – physically, mentally and emotionally. It is about bringing people together, families, community groups, cycling clubs, people of all ages and of all abilities from beginners on balance bikes to former Olympic and World Champions.
The shop will be open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday till 5pm and these are just some of the services you can expect :
Bike Sales
Bike Maintenance
Bike Hire, including Electric Bikes
Guided Bike Rides
Bike Maintenance Courses
The project will also continue to work in communities and schools with “pop-up bike surgeries”, encouraging families to bring their bikes to be fixed for free.
Positive Cycles also relies on the help of the public. 90% of the bikes on display for sale are donated by members of the public. Bikes that are unused, bikes that are broken and forgotten in the garden shed, bikes that have been outgrown and bikes that have been replaced for the newer model. Positive Cycles can make use of your unused bikes. They will even pick them up for free, all you have to do is call 0161 621 9400.
So, if you are in need of a new bike but high street prices are a little lofty or have bike that needs some TLC but don’t know where to take it, pop in to Positive Cycles – more than just a bike shop.