Basic Bike Maintenance

Want to learn more about how to keep your bike in good condition?

This fun, interactive course is for participants who are new to maintaining their bike or would like a refresher. Participants are encouraged to bring their bikes to the workshop and are shown how to perform a basic ‘ABC Quick Check’ to ensure that it is safe to ride. We review some simple maintenance tips that can be done at home to prolong bike life, as well as how to properly lock a bike to prevent bike theft, and change a flat tire. All courses include time for participant questions.

During the Basic Bike Maintenance course, you will learn how to:

  • Clean and oil your chain
  • Check your brakes and gears for wear
  • Fix a flat tire 
  • Know when it's a good idea to take your bike in for professional service

2024 Course Dates:

For Vancouver: All Vancouver courses run out of the Trout Lake Community Centre, and registration can be found on the Vancouver Recreation Portal. Please fill out our course interest form if you would like to be sent a reminder email when registration opens. 

Trout Lake Community Centre Course Schedule:

  • Saturday, May 25th: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 22nd: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 20th: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 15th: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 17th: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

For Richmond:  All Richmond courses will run out of the Thompson Community Centre, and registration is through the Richmond Recreation Portal (search for Basic Bike). Note: All of our Richmond courses are open to adults and/or children ages 10+

Thompson Community Centre Course Schedule:

  • Sunday, May 26th: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Sunday, June 16th: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Friday, June 21st: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, June 23rd: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 7th: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 11th: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

For information on adaptive cycling programs at our StreetWise Cycling Education Centres, please visit Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Adaptive Cycling webpage.

FAQs

Where are lessons held? 

Vancouver: The lessons will take place next to Trout Lake Community Centre. We are still determining exactly where the off-road location will be but it will be a smooth, flat surface, with no vehicle traffic. 

Richmond: The lessons will take place behind the Thompson Community Centre, exact location pending.

Do I need a bike?

If you have your own bike and helmet, please bring them to the lesson. If you don't own a bike or can’t transport it to the lesson location, you can observe and work with others.

How can I get my bike to the lesson spot?

You can bring your bike inside a personal vehicle, on a vehicle's bike rack, on a bus bike rack, or Skytrain car. If it's your first time using a bus bike rack or bringing a bike on transit - check out TransLink's helpful tips beforehand. All Metro Vancouver buses are able to take 2 bikes on their front racks. 

How can I get to Trout Lake Community Centre?

Trout Lake Community Centre is located in the southwest corner of Trout Lake Park (3360 Victoria Drive). You can find transit options via Google Maps . There is free parking available outside the Community Centre (located near Victoria and 15th). Nearby cycling routes can be found here.

How can I get to Thompson Community Centre?

Thompson Community Centre is located at 5151 Granvile Avenue in Richmond. You can find transit options via Google Maps. There is parking available to the north of the Community Centre. Nearby cycling routes can be found here. 

Do you offer other lessons for more advanced skills?

Yes, we are pleased to be running other programs at Trout Lake Community Centre this Summer - Beginner Bike Skills and Intermediate Bike Skills Practice. When combined, anyone can go from never having ridden a bike to a confident everyday cyclist.  If you're looking for a course to increase your confidence in cycling from the comfort of your own home, you can take StreetWise Cycling Online. We will also be running webinars on a range of topics, starting in April 2022. We will also be running webinars on a range of topics, starting in April 2023. You can find dates and recordings of the webinars here. 

If you have any more questions, please contact streetwise@bikehub.ca

 

Testimonials

"Your instructor(s) were amazing, helpful, so informative and also funny and relatable. So good! I learned everything I was hoping to about bike maintenance, and more. Thank you for such an awesome, empowering class!"

"I can now change a tire (yay!), adjust my brakes, and care for my chain - all tasks that I have had to have friends do for me previously."

"It was a simple and approachable way of learning more about how to fix simple issues. I feel much more confident in riding knowing that I'm capable of doing much more I thought ."