The Bike Hub is based alongside TheSpace Dunbar at Hallhill. We (Sustaining Dunbar) are part of a joint Investing in Communities Fund project along with TheSpace Dunbar, Sunny soups and Dunbar Community Woodland Group. Jointly known as Dunbar Skills partnership. We have three years of funding. We provide opportunities for people to learn how to maintain their bikes, as well as rehoming donated bikes and offer cycle training.
Workshop
The workshop is set up for basic bike maintenance – replacing cables, brake blocks and chains, adjusting bearings etc. We have some spare parts that have been taken off bikes that can not be brought back to life.
We also have Sustaining Dunbar’s trailers and folding bike stored at the container. There will be a piece in the latest SD newsletter highlighting their availability for borrowing.
We have had a number of bikes donated approx (15), some of which have been rehomed – 9 bikes. We have limited space so some of the bikes that need a lot of work or are beyond our capabilities will be donated to the Bike Station. We have had 8 people in addition to the above who have made use of the Bike Hub.
We hold a regular drop in session Wednesday and Friday mornings 10-13.00. Check the Bike Hub website for latest times
Cycle Training
So far we have had five people that have taken part in cycle training. Two adults and two older children. Cycle training can improve confidence and skills. Not just for youngsters.
Partnership working
Sustaining Dunbar work with other organisations
East Lothian Horizons
We have provided donated bikes, undertaken cycle training and provided some introductory bike maintenance training with a refugee family. We are anticipating supporting a further family that are due to arrive in November.
The Ridge
We have donated four bikes to the Ridge and had folk coming down to the Hub learning some bike maintenance skills.
West Barns Village Hall
We held a Basic Bike Maintenance workshop in conjunction with West Barns Village Hall Committee, who are very supportive. Watch out for future workshops.
Volunteers
We are very happy to have volunteers come and help in the BikeHub workshop or at workshops at other locations.
Future plans
Outreach
Workshops
We will be organising further workshops in St Anne’s and Belhaven churches and at West Barns Hall. They are all very supportive
Access Bikes
A CyclingUK fund is available to provide new bikes for those that wouldn’t otherwise afford a bike. We are working on an application.