As part of our investment in active travel, we're thrilled to announce the introduction of Barnsley Bike Works, which will replace the Active Travel Hub. 

This new service will be launched in two phases. 

Phase one, which officially goes live on Monday 22 July 2024, is the mobile hub, which will take key services to the heart of local communities, schools, and workplaces across the borough. 

You can invite the mobile hub to your school, workplace of community to receive free bike checks, bike loans, and advice from our team of friendly mechanics. 

The team offer learn to ride sessions for both adults and children which are delivered in traffic-free locations to help you become a confident cyclist regardless of your age. 

They're also taking bike donations, which will be refurbished and redistributed back into communities and projects in Barnsley to help people of all ages to get cycling for leisure, to get around their community or get to work. 

The first community session will take place at the Community Shop in Athersley (S71 3DH) on Monday 22 July from 12pm-3pm. People can bring their bikes to get checked over and come and speak to the Bike Works team to find out more about the other sessions. 

Phase two sees the old Active Travel Hub site at the Transport Interchange on Eldon Street in the town centre transformed into the Barnsley Bike Works headquarters. 

The site will be expanded, with an increase in secure bike parking spaces, improved shower and toilet facilities and a brand-new loan fleet of conventional bikes and electric bikes thanks to money from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement fund. Renovation works are set to start later this year. 

A new fleet of e-bikes will form part of the phase two offer and will be available for a month-long loan with a helmet, pannier bag and lock also provided as part of the package to see if cycling is right for you. 

In the meantime, the hub will be staffed on Mondays and Fridays from 8am to 4pm with free bike checks and advice still available, as well as secure bike parking for registered users until that work begins. Other services, such as the loan scheme, will restart once the refurbishment is complete. 

The bike checks, donation and recycle scheme, along with workshop services and fix-it classes to teach you about bike maintenance will also be available from the main hub. 

Councillor James Higginbottom, Cabinet spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: "As preparations to host the Tour of Britain in September continue, it's the perfect time for us to launch the Barnsley Bike Works. 

"As well as being an enjoyable activity, cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine and helps you to move more, live well and feel better. It’s also a great form of transport. 

"We hope the introduction of the Barnsley Bike Works will encourage more people to get out on their bikes." 

For more information about the Barnsley Bike Works offer, go to barnsley.gov.uk/whats-your-move/find-your-move/cycling/barnsley-bike-works. A full timetable of events will be added soon.