The cycle surgery was set up on behalf of Bristol University Sustainability Team (BUST), which is about to complete its first (and very successful) year of existence at Bristol University. BUST is a group that looks to do several things; it seeks to change university policy and practice to make it more sustainable and prepared for a grim ecological future, through both engagement and campaigns. It looks to draw in new members and find ways of getting people involved in changing their university positively, and raising awareness of environmental issues to otherwise disengaged students. It also campaigns on wider sustainability issues nationally. 

The cycle workshop was a reaction to the money designated to be spent by Bristol on its Cycling City programme. Part of that programme is to fund small, local cycling initiatives. BUST identified the difficulty many students face in fixing relatively minor (though totally inhibiting) bicycle problems – and generally maintaining their bikes in safe working order – due to either a lack of funds or skills (or both). A simple solution to this was to provide free service to students offering to fix and maintain any bike brought along. Problems range from a flat tire, to a broken chain, to a seat rusted too high – unfixable without the right tools and know-how. Only new parts would have to be paid for. A two page application was sent to the council outlining the plan, and was immediately accepted, granting £450 to pay Ross Taylor, a free-lance mechanic, for the nine weeks of the third term in a pilot. We are monitoring the success of the scheme through feedback forms and over the first three weeks have fixed around sixty bicycles – many of which were not formerly in working order. We regard this as a major success! If the scheme continues to be successful we will be applying for funds to continue in order to provide the service year round.