Team Green Britain Bike Week (18-26 June), the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, is this year hosting ‘Britain’s Biggest Bike Fix’ - an ambitious attempt to fix as many bikes as possible during one week. 

The aim of the Bike Fix is to liberate the thousands of unused bikes from sheds across the country, by encouraging people to dig them out and get punctures fixed, brakes adjusted and gears tuned, to get bikes (and the UK) fit for the summer.

The opportunity to get your bike fixed is just one of the attractions of Team Green Britain Bike Week events – to find an event near you visit www.bikeweek.org.uk. 

2011 is the second year in which Team Green Britain and Bike Week have come together to encourage Britons to reduce their carbon footprint and promote low carbon transport solutions to a wider audience than ever before. Founded by EDF Energy, Britain’s largest producer of low carbon electricity, Team Green Britain is a movement that aims to enable people to live in a more sustainable way before the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive. This support, along with generous funding from the cycling industry in 2011, has made the event possible this year: The industry has doubled its financial contribution via the Bike Hub.

Phillip Darnton, Bicycle Association says: “Britain’s Biggest Bike Fix aims to help everyone – from families and people who have never cycled before – as well as those who need an incentive to cycle to work, and of course seasoned cyclists. Hopping on a bike not only helps you get fit, it can be really convenient and since there’s no fuel to buy, it can help you save money too – all powerful reasons to get involved.”

Victoria Pendleton, World and Olympic champion cyclist supporting Team Green Britain Bike Week says: “I would encourage everyone to get involved with Team Green Britain Bike Week. Choosing to cycle to the shops, school or for leisure instead of taking the car can help you get fit, save money on fuel, and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time. If everyone were to swap one car journey a day for a bike trip, think of the collective benefit – to our planet, our pockets and our health!”

Team Green Britain Bike Week’s aim is to get more people cycling, more often. In 2011 it is supported by EDF Energy and the cycling industry via Bike Hub.

Top ten bike maintenance tips by Helen Pidd, author of ‘Bicycle – The Complete Guide To Everyday Cycling’, published by Penguin 

1. Keep it clean

If there is one thing you can do to prolong the life of your bike, it is keeping it clean. Tedious, but true. No fancy cleaning kit required - a bucket of soapy water, a sponge and an old toothbrush is all you need, though a proper degreaser will help break down the oil and grit in the chain and gear sprockets. 

2. Keep your tyres inflated properly

Poorly inflated tyres are prone to punctures. Forget flimsy hand pumps - you need a standing track pump with a pressure gauge to do the job. Nice bike shops will let you borrow theirs. Look on the side of your tyre for a number followed by the letters PSI. That tells you how much air to put in. 

3. Check your brake pads

Worn brake pads equal rubbish brakes. You can tell they are worn if you can hardly see the grooves any more. Fitting new brake pads is a very cheap and easy fix and any number of websites can show you how. You just need a set of Allen keys and some patience. 

4. Silence squeaky brakes

Screeching brakes are often dirty brakes, or at least dirty wheel rims. Clean and dry both properly and 50% of the time, you've solved the problem. If that doesn't work, they might need adjusting. 

5. Tighten saggy brakes

If your brakes have become sluggish and lacklustre - i.e. if you squeeze the brake lever and it moves more than halfway towards the handlebars - you need to tighten them up. The easiest way to do this is twiddle the barrel adjuster by the brake lever. If that doesn't do the trick, you'll need to get your Allen keys out and free the brake cable by opening the brake nut, pulling it taut and closing the nut again. Again, let the internet be your teacher. 

6. Get a professional service

Once a year should be fine, ideally at the start of spring if you've been brave enough to cycle though winter. There is no shame in getting the pros in. Think of it as your bicycle MOT.

7. Lubrication, lubrication, lubrication

Buy some bike-specific lubricant and use it sparingly on any parts of your bike where metal touches metal. There is no point oiling your chain unless you have cleaned it properly first - you'll make matters worse.  

8. Check if your wheel is "true"

Turn your bike upside down and spin your wheels. Do they wobble a little from side to side? If so, they need "truing". This is a quick fix, but not one for an amateur, as you need special equipment. A bike shop will do this for a small fee. 

9. Get your saddle perfect

If you are prone to SBS (sore bum syndrome), experiment a little with your saddle, raising or tilting it slightly to suit your riding style. If you get sore knees while cycling, you might have your saddle too low. When you pedal, your legs should be almost straight on the downwards revolution. 

10. Buy some latex gloves

Bike oil is a nightmare to get out from under your nails. If it's too late for that, scrub your hands with washing up liquid and sugar, only adding water right at the end.  

Great reasons to get on your bike:

·In a hurry? With more and more dedicated cycle-paths across the country, during rush-hour, a bicycle might be able to get you to places faster - good if you hate being stuck in traffic jams!

·According to Act On CO2,more than half of all car trips are five miles or less – swapping them for a 15 minute bike ride could help you make savings on fuel costs1]

·Cycling is a great way to keep fit. So you could be beating the traffic, saving money, and staying in shape too, all by just choosing to cycle!

 ·Cycling is the ultimate family activity; it’s healthy, fun and encourages children to be independent 

1.     Act on CO2

2.     Source: National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Foundation