Bike checks, bike marking and maintenance courses

Dr. Bike is led by our experienced Bike Mechanics, they run a 10 minute check of each bike over a two or four hour session and make repairs within a 10 minute slot.

Mechanics will carry out Standard “M” checks of each bike, and can fix a range of issues including; adjusting brake levers, indexing gears and lubricating key mechanical parts.

They are totally independent and so any extensive issues that cannot be fixed onsite will be truthfully reported to the bike owner for them to manage.

What is a ‘M’ check?

Next Free Public Dr Bikes + Bike Marking where indicated*

*Police may withdraw the bike marking service offer at short notice depending on priorities

The dates and times are:

• Saturday 14 June - 11:00 to 3:00pm - Clarence Street, Opposite John Lewis, Kingston + Free Bike marking
• Wednesday 06 August - 11:00 to 3:00pm - Dickeragae Sports & Community Centre - National Play Day

If you are interested in holding a private Dr Bike event for your workplace or school, please email the Cycling Team at sustainable.transport@kingston.gov.uk.

Police Bike Marking Events only

More Police events near your Postcode*

*Times are approximate and subject to change by the Police.

Bike Security Marking and Registration with recognised system BikeRegister®

Bikes are over 80% less likely to be stolen when displaying the BikeRegister barcode label.

The marking and registering is carried out by Police trained Instructors. We only use the recognised bike register system with Selectamark Security System Tamper Resistant QR Barcode labels featuring a unique BikeRegister ID and secure owner data storage.

• BikeRegister is the UK’s national cycle database
• Used to search for stolen bikes by every UK Police Force via secure online Police portal, available 24/7
• Aimed at reducing thefts and helping the police return stolen bikes to owners, and in turn, securing convictions
• When a bike is stopped or found, the labels can be scanned with a smartphone and identified on the BikeRegister website, this makes bikes with these labels a huge deterrent to thieves.
• Ownership can be securely transferred by the keeper when a bike is legitimately sold
• Over 1,200,000 bikes now registered

Bike Security Marking Sessions are available privately. See costs below.

Maintenance Courses

Full Cycle Community Project

Full Cycles runs Cycle Maintenance Training classes on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays from their own workshop in New Malden.

Find out more on Full Cycle Maintenance Classes

Kingston Council

RBK can run a 4-hour one cycle maintenance course to build up essential cycle maintenance skills. You will develop the skills needed to make a full diagnostic check of your bike and learn essential adjustments as well as some repairs. The course is for up to 5 people for a cost of only £140 if a suitable free venue is provided. We come to you!

Course Content

• Checking key parts of your bike for wear and tear, using the simple 5 minute assessment system employed by professional bike mechanics!
• Adjusting and balancing your brakes and replacing your brake pads
• Making some minor adjustments which will give you a more comfortable riding experience
• Removing your rear wheel, inner-tube, and tyre and repairing a puncture
• Cleaning and caring for your bike
• What you need in a basic tool kit

Courses are open to adults and children (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult).

For more information and to arrange a course email sustainable.transport@kingston.gov.uk

Costs

Public Sessions

• Dr Bike: Free
• Bike Security Marking and Registration - £10.00 plus Eventbrite fee (£1.55) per registration including barcoded labels
• Maintenance Course - £30 for a four hour session

Private Group Sessions

• Dr Bike: £100, 2hr session or £180 4hr session
  • 10 minute slots are bookable in two or four hour sessions
  • Average of 18 bikes seen in a two hour session: ave. £10 per bike
• Bike Security Marking and Registration - £160, 2hr session or £300 4hr session
  • Bookable in two or four hour sessions
  • We will mark and register a minimum of 16 bikes in two hours, averaging £10 per bike including labels
• Maintenance Course - £150, 4hr session
  • Experienced Bike Mechanics bookable in three hour sessions. Five people maximum

Payment

Once you have confirmed your course or place via email, to pay by bank transfer, our bank details are as follows:

• account name: RBK Direct Credit Account
• sort code: 30-80-12
• account number: 14717168
• reference: “Bike Maintenance Course”

Important: when completed, please email sustainable.transport@kingston.gov.uk to confirm the date you put through your £20 bank transfer.

If you can’t make it to one of our courses, but still want to try some home maintenance, have a look at the basic bicycle maintenance manual provided free from the London Cyclist.