IN A city of cyclists, you would think virtually everyone would know the basics of how to keep their bike on the road.

Apparently not, according to Oxford Cycle Workshop’s Dan Harris, who is on a mission to teach as many people as possible how to repair a puncture.

Mr Harris’ workshop arose from a New Year’s resolution to equip 1,000 people with the basic repair skill.

He said: “When you talk to people in Oxford about why they ride a bike or why they don’t ride it, so often people say they’ve got a bike but it’s got a puncture and it's in the shed.

“For a lot of people mending a puncture is a challenge and enough to prevent them riding their bike.”

He pointed out that to get someone in a bike shop to mend a puncture would cost about £10, yet it was something quick and easy any cyclist should be able to do.

As part of his target, the workshop will teach 280 Year 7 pupils at The Cherwell School the skill, with about a third of the youngsters already trained.

A downloadable smartphone app for both iPhone and Android phones has been created to demonstrate the technique, and short courses will be held in locations around Oxford.

Mr Harris said: “Bikes are such a good way to save money and get around Oxford more easily.

“When we started teaching the kids at The Cherwell, lots of them said they knew how to do it so we did an experiment and got them to fix their own punctures. Only about 40 per cent of them could, so we want to teach everyone to avoid the little mistakes.”

A puncture repair session was also held at Beryl’s Night, the fortnightly women-only workshop which the organisation has launched in association with bike mechanic Eleanor Smith.

She said: “If you cycle, you need to know how to do some basic things, otherwise you are dependent on other people.

“Bikes give you massive freedom, but if you can’t do basic repairs, you are always going to be tied to being near a bike shop or with someone who can help.”

Among those learning how to repair a puncture on Wednesday was Catherine Whitmarsh, 35, from Cowley.

She said: “I was on a ride out in the countryside recently and it transpired none of the four us us felt confident about repairing a puncture, which prompted me to think I should really learn.”

  • To find out more about the various courses on offer, visit ocwt.coop