Residents in Reading can once again access free bicycle maintenance and safety advice as the Dr Bike service returns to the town centre for the third consecutive year. The initiative, run by Reading Borough Council in partnership with Avanti Cycling, provides local cyclists with free safety checks, basic repairs, and general cycling tips.
The service will be stationed outside Sainsbury’s on Broad Street, directly opposite the Oracle entrance. The team will be available on the first Thursday of every month between 11am and 2pm. The dates confirmed for the remainder of 2026 are 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, and 5 November.
In addition to the pop-up sessions, the programme supports a wider effort to encourage cycling across the area. Last year, more than 230 adults participated in council-backed cycle training courses, while approximately 1,800 children took part in Bikeability training. Residents looking for more intensive or ongoing support can also visit the Reading Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run organisation established in 2014 that offers low-cost bicycle maintenance.
The return of these sessions is part of the local authority’s broader active travel strategy. This work is supported by government transport funding, which includes a 33.7 million pound capital grant and a 4.9 million pound revenue grant awarded to the council earlier in 2026 to help improve local transport and cycling infrastructure.
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