Bling Your Bike

Today, as promised I packed my panniers & basket full of Bling, stickers, flowers, tools and more to facilitate a community based " Bling Your Bike" Bikeweek event.

I had decided not to do all the advertising through Facebook & Twitter etc..  However, the event was listed on the Bikeweek website.  So I had no idea, who or if anyone would turn up.

The morning was a very warm one, so lots of families passed through Rowheath Pavillion.   

Whilst I did not have a huge gathering of children at anyone time during the morning. I did experience a steady flow of children who came with their bicycles and scooters to take part.

Spoke Beads were very popular with the boys 

Whilst the children decorated their bikes with ribbons, loads of stickers, tinsel and other Bling, parents helped and supported their children to decorate their bikes.

Some older kids  came along for the ABC Safety  Check or t their tires pumped up, or their chain lubricated.

The 2 hours went by very quickly with approximately 12 children taking part. 

Thank you for an enjoyable and creative morning 

She Spoke to Robert About Bikes In Birmingham

Robert with his Birmingham built Dawes Jaguar 531 frame

Tell me about your bike and where you got it?

My bicycle is an original Birmingham built Dawes Jaguar racing bike.

My bike was found by a friend of mine underneath the South Arts Building at Swansea University.  It had been chained up for a year, so he asked the security staff if he could have it, and they said "Yes please take it away."  So he removed the D-lock and took it away.   After all that, unfortunately he didn't have the time to do the necessary extensive renovation, so he gave it to me.

Where has your bike taken you today?

Today my bike has taken me just a mile or so around Bournville.

Why do you cycle?

I cycle for lots of reasons, but most importantly to reduce the size of the footprints I leave in the sands of time. I like to avoid motorised traffic, with all the stress it brings. I like the sense of freedom it gives me.  It's great for fitness and health and also for the cost benefits as no petrol is required.

What is your most regular commute around in Birmingham?

Well I don't really commute because I work from home.  I just go out for transport, shopping and leisure; I normally ride up to Sainsbury in Selly Oak.

What is your favourite place to cycle in Birmingham?

I don't really have a specific place that I like to go to, but what I like to do is cycle around on the canal towpaths in Birmingham because they are peaceful and quiet with lots of wildlife.

What else do you do on your bike other than pedal?

I like to reflect and look at the nature around me, that's why I prefer to ride away from the traffic

What do you think Birmingham could do to improve the cycling infrastructure to make it more user friendly for all cyclists?

It could do an awful lot.   What I would like Birmingham to do is to copy the Dutch Model, because it has been tried and tested, it works, and it gets lots of people cycling

Those Bloomin' Bikes

It was a while ago since I decided to have a go at planning a small event for Bikeweek.    My chosen event was Birmingham Bikes in Bloom, which involved people coming together to decorate their bicycles with floral bling, followed by a short Traffic Free ride around Bournville and some essential Tea & Cake.

Coming up with the idea and getting all of the flowers and bling was easy and very enjoyable.   Then came the registration, route planning and risk assessment.  Taking all eventualities and all needs into consideration was a task.  I had planned a ride of between 4 & 6 miles passing through  Bournville & bits of Victoria Park.   I rode the route once and thought it was fine, "No Problems here"   Then I rode the route a 2nd time yesterday, and to my surprise pathways had grown over with thorny, spiky brambles etc..  This meant another trip on my bicycle with my garden clippers in my pannier to cut the brambles.

The day was the most enjoyable part and was everthing I expected and more. The weather forecast was reasonably good and we had a great  turnout of 19 people in total. A mix of families and others.  Not all people did the ride, but a majority decorated their bicycles, completed the 4 miles ride & returned for the social gathering & the essential Tea & Cake

Kids were first to get hands on & Crafty

This Little lady engaged very well with the idea, and did a great job on her bike, but was later worried that she may be followed home by a swarm of bees!

 People added flowers to their bikes and themselves

People worked together

Fresh garden flowers came in handy

Some people went all out Chelsea Flower Show 

 Fallen Rhododendron petals made great natural garlands 

people did arty frame logos

Bloomin Giant Bikes 

All in all, everyone seemed to have a really good time.  We were all delighted with the the surprise offer at Rowheath Pavilion .  FREE  TEA, COFFEE & TOAST ON SUNDAYS!

Many thanks for everyone who came along and made this a successful and enjoyable event.

 By request from some of the families who were in Rowheath Park, I will be back to do a similar children's event in a few weeks.

Watch out for 

 "Bling Your Bike"  

She Spoke to Kathryn & Rosie About Bikes in Birmingham

Tell me your bikes and where you got them?

(Kathryn) I got my bike from a charity shop.  My Grandma found it for me. It's a Raleigh Cameo.  It's a little bit too big for me. But it's great with the basket I can cycle to Uni.

(Rosie)  I have had my bike for a very long time.   The chain is really rusty and the mudguard is broken, but it does the job and it goes a bit faster than Kathryn's.

Where have your bikes taken you today?

Our bikes have taken us from Selly Oak, through Cannon Hill Park to Birmingham City Centre.  

Why do you cycle?

(Kathryn)  Walking is too slow.

(Rosie) It's nice to get out and get some fresh air, especially when you've been sitting in Uni all day.  It's a lot quicker and it's nice to actually see Birmingham rather than get on a bus or train

What is your main commute in Birmingham?

Our main commute is from Selly Oak to the University of Birmingham

What is your favourite commute around Birmingham and the West Midlands?

We quite like the river Rea Route, but our favourite is to cycle to  +Cadbury World  to buy loads of chocolate.

Tell me something that you do whilst cycling?

(Kathryn)  I do a lot of Backies.  I have got a little seat on the back of my bike so I backy my friends around the campus.

(Rosie) I get a bit bored so I like to go as fast as I can and race the cars.

What do you think Birmingham could do to make the cycling infrastructure more user friendly to all cyclists?

Not enough people cycle.  There are lots of cycle paths but they just suddenly come to an end, so we need more continuity of cycle paths to make them more connected.   We also need more parking for bikes about the city.

Ladies Only Bike Maintenance Classes

By Popular demand of a group of female cyclists on Facebook, I have been able to secure some dates for Ladies only Bike maintenance classes

THE SET DATES AND THEMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Saturday 8th June (11am-1pm) – Brakes 

Saturday 8th June (1:30pm-3:30pm) – Gears 

Saturday 22nd June (11am-1pm) – Safety Checks 

Saturday 22nd June (1:30pm-3:30pm) – Punctures 

Saturday 20th July (11am-1pm) – Safety Checks 

Saturday 20th July (1:30pm-3:30pm) – Punctures 

Saturday 3rd August (11am-1pm)– Brakes 

Saturday 3rd August (1:30pm-3:30pm) – Gears

ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE 

Minimum 3 people per session 

Maximum 6 people per session 

Tea & Coffee will be provided. But if you are doing a morning and afternoon session on the same day, please bring a packed lunch. There will be a 30 min lunch break in between the 2 sessions.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SESSIONS
All sessions will be hosted at: 

Bikeright West Midlands 

Unit 5 

Birmingham One Business Park 

Clement Street 

Birmingham 

B1 2SL 

Tel 0121 200 2266

She Spoke About Free Bike Stuff

On Saturday morning, in my capacity of Sustrans Active Travel Champion, I headed over to Erdington to support running an information stall with Bike North Birmingham

Whilst the Bike Fixer team set up outside Erdington Pool, we set up our stall with leaflets, flyers, maps, and program of activities at the local Co-op Supermarket.

Our aim was to engage with residents of Sutton Coldfield and Erdington to share the great news about the new cycle routes and supporting cycling activities, and free training that is available.

During the 3 hours that I spent at the stall and in the wider Erdington area, I met a number of people from all walks of life, who were really geared up to find out more and get involved in the scheme and what it has to offer.

I was really pleased that people were signing up for the free bike hire, free bike fix over at the pool, and collecting maps to try out some of the new routes in the area. In one way or another we were either starting people pedalling or keeping people pedalling. Thanks to the team at St Barnabas Church for agreeing to stock some leaflets on your community information desk.

I believe that the project is in it's 2nd year of a 4 year scheme. It would be great to see a lot more people realising the benefits of the scheme.

So come on Erdington and Sutton!

 USE IT, BEFORE YOU LOSE IT!

Chris Spoke about Bikes In Birmingham

Chris on his 1993 Dawes Super Galaxy

Tell me about your bike and where you got it.

I had my bike for 3 years. I purchased my bike from eBay from some on in Shropshire.  I bought it because I wanted to cycle across France for charity. So I wanted to have a touring bike.  This is a Dawes Super Galaxy from around 1993. Renault 531 ST frame, which has a slightly longer wheel base than the standard Renault 531.   I have kept the bike since my charity ride 3 years ago and now this is my only bike.

Where has your bike taken you today?

Just to Stirchely Market

Why do you cycle?

I cycle because I am lucky enough to be reasonably  fit and lucky enough to have the use of my arms and legs.  I can’t see why anyone would want to sit in a car in a traffic jam, or why anyone would want to sit in a car at all, when you can go on a bike.  Plus it does not really rain that much in Birmingham.

What is your favourite place in Birmingham and the West Midlands to Cycle?

I really cycle to get from one place to another.  However I did go on a leisure ride to a place called Belbroughton, which is out West past Frankly. I also quite like cycling to Alvechurch, which is quite a nice place to cycle.  I really like cycle on the road and enjoy dodging in and out of traffic, but I can see why some people would find this scary.

What do you think that Birmingham could do to improve the cycling infrastructure to make it more user-friendly to all cyclists of all abilities? 

The main thing is, if you are going to spend loads on money on cycle paths there is no point in making cycle paths that just come to a sudden stop.  You have leisure cycle paths like the Rea Valley, which is really nice. But I always use the Pershore Road because it's slightly quicker.  But if I'm feeling in  a nice mood and I want to take my time I will go down the Rea Valley route, which is great  because it’s a nice, none stop and continuous route.   But a lot of cycle lanes are broken up so much that it makes it more difficult to follow and cycle along them. You have to stop at every junction.  If you are on the road, you can just go past side roads without having to stop.

Birmingham has to prioritise a bicycle above the car, which is a way of thinking that not a lot of people have.