Get on your bike
How The Bike Drop is changing how we travel
Brimscombe Mill is a haven for cyclists, with facilities, refreshments and, of course, The Bike Drop in residence. We chatted to cycling enthusiast and founder, Harry, about the latest plans for business and how Stroud is the ideal place for those on two wheels.
The Bike Drop team are obsessive about cycling, and offer a wide range of services for the local cycling population - from newbies, to seasoned pros. As well as servicing and repairs, the team sell refurbished bikes, and are the local e-bike experts, even conducting an electric bike delivery service for businesses in the area.
But that’s not all. For Harry, the whole reason he started The Bike Drop was to get more people cycling, and that ethos is carried on today. “I started at a local community workshop, which closed during the pandemic, leaving lots of young people with not a lot to do. We came up with the idea to deliver items by bike, and soon found that businesses were willing to pay for the service.”
Safety is of the utmost importance, not just for their fleet, but for anyone regularly riding a bike. “We soon started to offer quality bike servicing and refurbished bikes for commuters and families", explained Harry. “It is the best way to get people started on a bike, while ensuring they keep riding and stay safe.”
A cycling community needs expert mechanics
Diagnosing and fixing bikes and e-bikes is a skilled profession. As more people take up cycling, more qualified mechanics are needed to service them. This has led the social enterprise to their latest endeavour - The Bike Drop Academy.
“Bike mechanics is a great trade to have, but hard to get into and expensive to train in” says Harry. “Our new academy will give a foothold into the industry, providing CYTEC level 2 and 3 accredited training for people facing barriers to employment, or those looking to change careers. What’s more, it's a paid apprenticeship, offering well above the minimum wage, and employment opportunities on completion.”
“We can't wait to train up the next generation of expert bike mechanics, and see bikes become the first choice of transport locally.”
When he’s not building the business, you can find Harry - you guessed it - cycling. “I honestly think Stroud is one of the best places in the UK for mountain and road biking” he enthuses. “The scenery and variety is incredible, and even after living here over five years, I'm still finding new routes.”
So what are you waiting for? If you want to get back in the saddle, or have your eyes on the latest e-bike, get yourself down to The Bike Drop at Brimscombe Mill, open Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm.
To find out more about the academy, email Harry@thebrikedrop.co.uk.
