£50 bike repair scheme

[Leisure]

Anyone been successful In getting on the site to register? Took me until 12.05 to get onto the online application, got as far as entering postcode and then the site crashed. Another Govt. cock up!

[redcloud203]

leisure - you were lucky to reach that stage , -why open the site at 11.45 pm ?- total stupidity

[Leisure]

leisure - you were lucky to reach that stage , -why open the site at 11.45 pm ?- total stupidity

I'm guessing that they arranged it at that time in the expectation that it would reduce/limit the initial number of people applying (but that plan seems to have failed miserably!)

[Damo]

What are they giving away now? Christ, might as well have voted Corbyn

[BenWickes]

What are they giving away now? Christ, might as well have voted Corbyn

[claretandy]

Not worth it to let Halfords loose on your bike.

[BenWickes]

Not worth it to let Halfords loose on your bike.

Very true. There's only one 'mechanic' I'd trust to fix the missus' bike around here and he's an independent shop owner with about 40 years experience. His son works for him but wouldn't even trust him. I used to race bikes so am particular about who works on them. Question is, does his shop take part in the scheme. He's old school and tends to open at random hours. Is this scheme geared for small independents as well?

[Bfcboyo]

You mean you don't trust that 14 year old work experience kid with ADHD in the back of halfords to fine tune ur pride and joy ?

[TheFamilyCat]

I suspect that 99% of people applying will be cyclists who ride regularly and have a fully functioning bike. I'm pretty sure that isn't the target market for this.

[BenWickes]

I suspect that 99% of people applying will be cyclists who ride regularly and have a fully functioning bike. I'm pretty sure that isn't the target market for this.

Well she rides 30 miles a week to/from work. Website is still down. Be interesting to know what it covers and what cycle shops are included.

[Awayfromburnley]

Well she rides 30 miles a week to/from work. Website is still down. Be interesting to know what it covers and what cycle shops are included.

I got a sneak preview of those repairers on Monday. It's fair to say that she will have to get on her bike to get her bike repaired.

There were 4 in the whole of the NW of England as of Monday. More may have applied since though.

Interestingly no Halfords!

[TheFamilyCat]

I got a sneak preview of those repairers on Monday. It's fair to say that she will have to get on her bike to get her bike repaired.

There were 4 in the whole of the NW of England as of Monday. More may have applied since though.

Interestingly no Halfords!

Halfords are involved, it's advertised on their website.

[Awayfromburnley]

Halfords are involved, it's advertised on their website.

Ah right, apologies. They certainly weren't listed on the site at the time.

I have an issue with my bike, my rear brakes have just gone slack, anyone know how to fix them?

[TheFamilyCat]

Ah right, apologies. They certainly weren't listed on the site at the time.

I have an issue with my bike, my rear brakes have just gone slack, anyone know how to fix them?

Probably just the cable needs tightening. Check youtube, there's loads of bike repair videos on there. The Park Tools ones are particularly good.

[tim_noone]

You mean you don't trust that 14 year old work experience kid with ADHD in the back of halfords to fine tune ur pride and joy ?

"Kes" could train wild Birds at 14 Dont talk Boll ox.old fannys like you and on here would struggle t' put Kettle on!!

[BenWickes]

"Kes" could train wild Birds at 14 Dont talk Boll ox.old fannys like you and on here would struggle t' put Kettle on!!

One slight problem with your observation Tim. 'Kes' was the name of the bird not the boy

[tim_noone]

One slight problem with your observation Tim. 'Kes' was the name of the bird not the boy

Yes ....cant think of his name.

[BenWickes]

Yes ....cant think of his name.

Billy.

[tim_noone]

Billy.

Yes I thought so.

[CombatClaret]

Tried at 23:45 but site was unresponsive.
Woke up briefly at 4:30am so had another go, got to the registration page but after all details entered and submitted. Error.

Thought this was a good policy but it's about two months too late and obvious they unable to deliver anything more than a headline.
The vouchers expire after 3 weeks, I'm not sure there is much capacity even dripping them out.
Hundreds of independent bike shops in London but only a few dozen options and 90% of those are Halfords & Evans.

Should have done it like the food scheme and just let the shops claim it back.

[Barry_Chuckle]

Also tried at 11.45 through to 12.30 then called it a night, was up at 6 so had another go, after a few attempts, getting so far through the application and the site being unresponsive, I managed to get it sorted.

Voucher codes are valid for 60 days - if your voucher is not claimed against a repair within this period it will expire on 27/09/2020.

As for the shop options, I have small independent near me in Bishop Auckland, Inspiral Cycles, proper bike people and more than happy to take my bike there and support a small local business.

[FactualFrank]

"Bike repair vouchers can be used for all parts, including wheels".

Said a Government spokesperson.

[Spijed]

Trouble is, unless you like near countryside, many roads are very congested to cycle on.

The idea that we can build hundreds of miles of cycle lanes is pie in the sky as the vast majority of roads are simply too narrow to accommodate both a normal road and a cycle highway alongside it.

[Leisure]

Trouble is, unless you like near countryside, many roads are very congested to cycle on.

The idea that we can build hundreds of miles of cycle lanes is pie in the sky as the vast majority of roads are simply too narrow to accommodate both a normal road and a cycle highway alongside it.

My daughter lives near to Robin Park in Wigan and last year the local authority spent weeks (and presumably thousands of pounds) putting in cycle lanes
near there. Now the traffic takes far more time to get through the lights and I haven't once seen any cyclists using the new lanes!

[Firthy]

Just shows how out of touch I am. I would have expected to buy a bike for £50.

[BenWickes]

"Bike repair vouchers can be used for all parts, including wheels".

Said a Government spokesperson.

Typical! Only bought new tyres two weeks ago.

[ClaretDiver]

I have small independent near me in Bishop Auckland,

Small world...I am in Crook!

[aggi]

Tried at 23:45 but site was unresponsive.
Woke up briefly at 4:30am so had another go, got to the registration page but after all details entered and submitted. Error.

Thought this was a good policy but it's about two months too late and obvious they unable to deliver anything more than a headline.
The vouchers expire after 3 weeks, I'm not sure there is much capacity even dripping them out.
Hundreds of independent bike shops in London but only a few dozen options and 90% of those are Halfords & Evans.

Should have done it like the food scheme and just let the shops claim it back.

Most bike shops are still experiencing a backlog on servicing so the dripfeed was the only way to do it really.

It's a reasonable policy to get people thinking about cycling but realistically the way to get people cycling is hugely better infrastructure and that costs serious money (although obviously only a tiny fraction of what is spent on roads generally).

[Barry_Chuckle]

Small world...I am in Crook!

I'm in Woodham, Newton Aycliffe.

I noticed there's a ColburnClaret on here too, I assume said poster lives in Colburn near Catterick. Potential for a "County Durham Clarets"

[aggi]

Trouble is, unless you like near countryside, many roads are very congested to cycle on.

The idea that we can build hundreds of miles of cycle lanes is pie in the sky as the vast majority of roads are simply too narrow to accommodate both a normal road and a cycle highway alongside it.

Well that may be the case if you want to put a cycle lane everywhere and still have the same existing motor traffic. Realistically though you can get most places by larger roads that do have the capacity for cycle lanes and then make the smaller roads quieter by modal filtering, etc

[ClaretDiver]

I'm in Woodham, Newton Aycliffe.

I noticed there's a ColburnClaret on here too, I assume said poster lives in Colburn near Catterick. Potential for a "County Durham Clarets"

Lol...our very own local CDC.....quite apt!

[CombatClaret]

The wider you make roads the worse traffic becomes.

https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traf ... google.com

But the same induced demand will work for cycle lanes. Build it and they will come.

[Paul Waine]

My daughter lives near to Robin Park in Wigan and last year the local authority spent weeks (and presumably thousands of pounds) putting in cycle lanes
near there. Now the traffic takes far more time to get through the lights and I haven't once seen any cyclists using the new lanes!

Similar story near me. Around 30 years ago, Kingston Bridge (SW London) underwent significant repairs and upgrade, what had been one lane either direction - and very congested - was expanded, wide pavements for pedestrians, cycle lanes both sides of bridge (one-way), two lanes for road vehicles each direction and a central bus lane (buses always in one direction), so 5 road lanes plus 2 cycle lanes. Then covid-19 and lockdown came along. Pavements "widened" by giving the pedestrians the two cycle lanes and one lane of traffic each way was coned off for bikes... So, now, only one lane of road traffic each way and it's busy/congested again. Most of the time not many pedestrians crossing the bridge and even fewer cyclists.

I was over by Kew Gardens, yesterday. They used to have on-street parking after 10 a.m. every day for everyone visiting the Kew, including coaches. It's now coned off for cyclists - but, most of the times there are no cyclists using it. I hear Kew Gardens is losing a lot of visitors... and the money that they would spend. Great when bikes are used, it can help with climate change and a better environment, but Kew Gardens "going bust" will mean a lot of their climate change programmes getting cancelled.

[Bfcboyo]

"Kes" could train wild Birds at 14 Dont talk Boll ox.old fannys like you and on here would struggle t' put Kettle on!!

If I'm an old fanny I wouldn't know how to describe yourself.

[CaptJohn]

Went onto the site at 0930hrs and nothing available. Not surprising really. It's a giveaway and there's millions of us want something for nothing.

[TheFamilyCat]

Most bike shops are still experiencing a backlog on servicing so the dripfeed was the only way to do it really.

It's a reasonable policy to get people thinking about cycling but realistically the way to get people cycling is hugely better infrastructure and that costs serious money (although obviously only a tiny fraction of what is spent on roads generally).

To be honest, I doubt many people will use it to start cycling. As I said further up the thread, the huge majority of people using this scheme will already be regular cyclists.

[ChrisG]

Similar story near me. Around 30 years ago, Kingston Bridge (SW London) underwent significant repairs and upgrade, what had been one lane either direction - and very congested - was expanded, wide pavements for pedestrians, cycle lanes both sides of bridge (one-way), two lanes for road vehicles each direction and a central bus lane (buses always in one direction), so 5 road lanes plus 2 cycle lanes. Then covid-19 and lockdown came along. Pavements "widened" by giving the pedestrians the two cycle lanes and one lane of traffic each way was coned off for bikes... So, now, only one lane of road traffic each way and it's busy/congested again. Most of the time not many pedestrians crossing the bridge and even fewer cyclists.

I was over by Kew Gardens, yesterday. They used to have on-street parking after 10 a.m. every day for everyone visiting the Kew, including coaches. It's now coned off for cyclists - but, most of the times there are no cyclists using it. I hear Kew Gardens is losing a lot of visitors... and the money that they would spend. Great when bikes are used, it can help with climate change and a better environment, but Kew Gardens "going bust" will mean a lot of their climate change programmes getting cancelled.

I think the idea is that the cycle lane is meant to encourage folk out of their cars, so in theory the narrower road and light patterns should be sufficient for the fewer vehicles.

[evensteadiereddie]

I suspect that 99% of people applying will be cyclists who ride regularly and have a fully functioning bike. I'm pretty sure that isn't the target market for this.

Hope so !

[aggi]

To be honest, I doubt many people will use it to start cycling. As I said further up the thread, the huge majority of people using this scheme will already be regular cyclists.

Bike mechanics I know are saying they're seeing a lot of old, unused bikes coming in for a service whereas I think a lot of regular cyclists won't really be bothering with the basic service as it's the kind of stuff you can do yourself.

I'm sure that some will be regular cyclists but not 99%. A lot of people are looking for alternatives to public transport now.

[Paul Waine]

I think the idea is that the cycle lane is meant to encourage folk out of their cars, so in theory the narrower road and light patterns should be sufficient for the fewer vehicles.

Yes, I know.... but hard for the supermarkets to put stuff on their shelves if they can only use bikes to re-supply, and then there's these things called buses and all the shopping on-line delivery vans.

[BennyD]

Bloody cyclists; the cholesterol of the Country’s roads. Work harder and buy a car.

[karatekid]

Scheme has been temporarily suspended due to high demand.

[ChrisG]

Yes, I know.... but hard for the supermarkets to put stuff on their shelves if they can only use bikes to re-supply, and then there's these things called buses and all the shopping on-line delivery vans.

I've not mentioned vans anywhere, fewer cars I said. The scheme is to get people making local journeys on a bike where possible, to the shop perhaps, or to work maybe instead of using a car.

In many cases this might not be feasible (I drive to work a lot as I need to travel out to various sites), however I could ride to the co-op for example to get a loaf instead of driving. That is what the scheme is aimed at.

[bfcjg]

I have given up trying and will revert back to my default position of shop lifting .
The "Norman Tebbit "scheme has had a puncture.

[A.Claret.Fan]

Just managed to secure this voucher for our 2 cycles which haven't been used in a while. Looking forward to getting on it again...

[CombatClaret]

Bike mechanics I know are saying they're seeing a lot of old, unused bikes coming in for a service whereas I think a lot of regular cyclists won't really be bothering with the basic service as it's the kind of stuff you can do yourself.

I'm sure that some will be regular cyclists but not 99%. A lot of people are looking for alternatives to public transport now.

About a month ago my large local bike store had no second hand bikes left (usually have 50+), the demand was truly staggering. He had 11 ladies bikes delivered and sold within 24 hours, ordering them as fast as the manufacture could make & ship to UK. Given the supply & demand I'm not surprised there'a a lot of bikes coming out of sheds & garages across the country.

I'll hold my hand up and say I've got a road bike that's coming up to 2000 miles, so I've bought some parts myself and am looking for a full professional service which would be around £100-150.
Still that's money I've put into the tills of cycling retailers and over the last months lots of small shops & coffee vans I'd otherwise never visit!

[aggi]

Seems a fair few bike shops have stopped accepting these as there are issues in getting them redeemed and it's impossible to contact anyone to ask why.

[CombatClaret]

Seems a fair few bike shops have stopped accepting these as there are issues in getting them redeemed and it's impossible to contact anyone to ask why.

The key point of this scheme was to give a minister something to talk about May's daily briefings when people were dying needlessly in their hundreds.
3 months later it's a shambles, too late to encourage people onto the then quiet roads, plagued by IT issues and unable to pay up on time.
Government by PR.