More people are getting on their bikes with the Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, as MARC WEST finds out

Favoured by town and gown alike as the most practical form of transport, bicycles in Oxford are practically part of our city’s soul.

We all know that hopping on your bike is a great way to get exercise, run errands, spend time with friends and engage with your environment. There’s no doubting that Sir Bradley Wiggins’ unprecedented success in the London Olympics and Tour de France enlivened the UK’s already fast-growing interest in getting back on two wheels. And, right here in the ’shire, a friendly bunch of enthusiasts are helping to continue this culture of cycling – as much more than just a useful way of getting from A to B.

Inspired by similar social enterprise groups that have been running stateside for years, Broken Spoke Bike Co-op set about creating an inclusive and environmentally-friendly aware cycling community. While the buildings of the forthcoming Story Museum are in the process of transformation, the group has become tenant in what used to be the old Post Office sorting office and two-legged visitors can now attend the Late Shift.

This fully supportive do-it-yourself workshop aims to teach people of all ages and backgrounds how to be self-sufficient and proficient in riding, repairing and maintaining their trusty steads. So, now there’s no excuse to not get that Raleigh racer, that’s been lurking at the back of the shed for years, back into tip-top condition for the winter.

Cassiope Syndoriak and Elle Smith’s experienced team of mechanics and volunteers have got a fully stocked community tool chest, lots of lovely bike stands and all the time in the world to help you to help yourself. They also recycle any re-useable components (that would elsewhere be scrapped), so you can easily and cheaply replace any parts that wear out regularly. Then, all you night owls out there can make good use of these dark winter nights to install it all yourself – what could be more satisfying?

If you fancy coming along for the ride too, the Late Shift takes place every other Thursday evening from 7.30-10.00pm at The Gates at 42 Pembroke Street. It’s a drop-in session, so there’s no need to book. And all this costs just £7 per person. The co-operative also run a night in homage to one of Britain’s greatest athletes. Beryl’s Night – named after racing cyclist Beryl Burton – is specifically for women and transgender cyclists who fancy following in her slipstream – as well as being a supportive environment for discussing women’s issues.

Every first and third Wednesday of the month there is two hours of supported open workshop access, and next week’s puncture repair session will feature not only tyre patch kits, but cake – as the group celebrates its second anniversary. Visit bsbcoop.org.