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8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling...

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow...

2 May 2025

Could the UK cycling industry be showing signs of renewed momentum? Following a challenging period marked by falling sales and overstocked inventories, overall trends and sales figures from...

2 May 2025

The Netherlands is set to legalise electric scooters and other light electric vehicles on public roads from July 2025, provided they are registered and display a license plate.

30 Apr 2025

The ACT has welcomed the announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike products not meeting safety regulations, which has been launched “in context of dangerous low-quality e-bike...

29 Apr 2025

Edinburgh has been named the UK’s top city for bike commuting, with 10.00% of its workforce choosing to cycle to work, according to new research.

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.

15 Apr 2025

Retail Crime Remains Alarming - Bira's Latest Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Action

11 Apr 2025

Bira has cautiously welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement this week on plans to put 'thousands of Bobbies back on the Beat' with a new neighbourhood policing guarantee.

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BikeBiz editor gets hands on with Cytech technical one

Posted on in Cycles News

Spokes People Cytech trainingDaniel Blackham, editor of industry magazine BikeBiz, has been writing about his experience of completing the Cytech technical one qualification at training provider Spokes People in Milton Keynes.

Writing about his experience, Daniel said the idea came from former editor, Alex Ballinger as a way of helping the BikeBiz team gain a better understanding of what their readers experience daily.

Spokes People, based in Milton Keynes, is run by Lee Niven & Darren Hyland. Lee has worked with bikes for more than 30 years and is an MIAS and Cytech trained instructor. Initially spending five years working as a bike mechanic, Darren set up his own mobile mechanics business, which led to him becoming a Cytech trainer and educator.

In his article, which you can read by clicking here, Daniel talks through his two-day experience on the course explaining how, as with all practical learning, Cytech technical one provides the foundations on which to build on to Technical two and so on.

He writes that “just like any other recognised qualification, it should be encouraged and seen as a valuable asset” and that “as long as it’s being taught by experienced and trusted providers like Spokes People, then the future of bicycle mechanics is in good hands.”

He explains how, to pass Cytech technical one, all attendees must pass an assessment addressing all the content that has been learned during their time on the course. They are presented with work stands each with a bike in that has been tinkered with to simulate a bike fresh out of the crate. Each student must go through a traditional PDI checklist ensuring that all tasks have been completed and then the tutor checks all work and offers feedback if required.

To find out more about Cytech technical one, visit cytech.training/courses/technical-one

To learn more about Spokes People, visit: cytech.training/training-providers/spokes-people

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