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18 Sep 2026

V12 Retail Finance has reported strong summer trading among bike retailers, with June consistently outperforming previous years and finance volumes in both July and August 2026 notably higher...

18 Sep 2026

ACT will host a retailer panel discussion at this year's Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live), bringing together independent bike dealers to discuss the realities of running a cycle retail...

17 Sep 2026

The Bikeability Trust has launched CycleIn, a new e-learning programme designed to help adults build their cycling skills and confidence on the road.

17 Sep 2026

The London Cycling Festival will return on 20 September 2026, bringing organised, family-friendly cycling events to 19 London boroughs.

16 Sep 2026

A further 11 employment law reforms are expected to take effect in October as part of the rollout of the Employment Rights Act 2025, with WorkNest providing retailers with...

15 Sep 2026

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Chancellor's growth ambitions but says independent retailers now need to see the benefit in their own cost base.
 

11 Sep 2026

The ACT will bring independent bike dealers together for a retailer panel at Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) 2026, with the IBD Retail Reality Check set to examine the realities of running...

10 Sep 2026

The E-Bike Positive Trust Mark was discussed at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking, as industry and safety organisations highlighted progress and the need...

3 Sep 2026

Ahead of Cycling Industry Live 2026, which runs over 20-21 September 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, fresh statistics have emphasised how important the bike trade believes getting...

1 Sep 2026

A risk audit can help retailers identify gaps between their security setup and insurance requirements before a costly incident puts their cover at risk. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business,...

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Cytech Training Returns to Darlington as Activate Cycle Academy Reopens Workshop

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.

Activate Cycle Academy

The academy, a Cytech training provider and member of the ACT, has reinstated the workshop inside the ZyroFisher building in Darlington.

The workshop is now led by new trainer Chris Borrowdale, a former British Army instructor and experienced downhill racer with a background in outdoor adventure.

Borrowdale gained his cycle mechanic training and Technical Trail Leader qualifications while in the military and brings a wealth of leadership and mechanical experience to the role.

“During my time in the forces, I was incredibly lucky to take part in and gain qualifications in loads of adventure training, including my cycle mechanic training and my Technical Trail Leader,” Mr Barrowdale said.

After leaving the army in 2017, Borrowdale worked and travelled abroad, including a summer as head bike guide in Greece, where he managed a busy hire fleet and developed the skills of his team.

“Taking on this role felt like something that had been a few years coming,” he added.

The facility first opened in 2022 but was temporarily closed while the academy searched for a new trainer.

Reacting to the reopening, Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT, said: “It’s fantastic to see Cytech training return to Darlington, helping ensure high standards of cycle maintenance training are accessible to more people across the UK.”

Courses at the Darlington workshop are now available to book through the Activate Cycle Academy website.

Members of the ACT get exclusive access to Cytech accreditation. To learn more, visit the Cytech website.

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