Wheels in motion for Bike shop at Alloa Campus

A small bike repair shop, operated in partnership with FEL Scotland (Forth Environment Link) and local high school groups, has been launched at Forth Valley College’s Alloa Campus.

The initiative will provide hands-on learning opportunities for school pupils while supporting sustainable travel by offering accessible, non-profit bike maintenance services to staff and students.

The shop – which is based near the Alloa Campus reception area will aim to open once a week on a Wednesday morning (9am-12noon) and is a pilot project running throughout the summer holidays, to allow high school pupils the opportunity to experience the college environment – as potential future students.

Daniel Duffin (14) a pupil at Lornshill Academy who is pictured here (far right) volunteering at the Bike Shop, said: “I am looking forward to volunteering and working at the Bike Shop. I like cycling and bikes and am interested in finding out more. I would recommend it to other school pupils to get involved.”

Steven Rennie, PT Pupil Support at Lornshill Academy, said: “Daniel has been attending the bike repair workshop at college and has shown real enthusiasm throughout. He thrives in practical, hands-on learning environments, and the sessions have allowed him to demonstrate his strengths while fully enjoying the experience.”

Katie Johnstone, FVC’s Active Travel Coordinator (pictured here far left) said: "We are delighted to be involved in this pilot project and are excited to see it launched at our Alloa Campus. The Bike Shop not only provides a valuable service for our staff and students, helping them keep their bikes safe and roadworthy, but also supports our wider commitment to encouraging active and sustainable travel.

“The project creates a fantastic opportunity for local high school pupils to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills and spend time in a real college environment. We hope many staff and students will make use of the service, and that for some of the young people involved, this will be their first step towards becoming future Forth Valley College students."

Craig Coull, FEL Scotland Schools Project Officer (pictured here second from right), said: “The Bike Shop is a brilliant opportunity for the pupils to learn and develop their bike maintenance skills while gaining experience in a new environment. It gives them an understanding of what goes on in the background to get a project like this going, gaining skills and knowledge which can be transferred to future education or careers.”

David Clifford MBE, Faculty Principal Teacher, Music, Art, Physical Education & Dance, Alva Academy, said: "We are very much looking forward to a wonderful partnership with Forth Valley College Alloa Campus in conjunction with FEL. Having witnessed the success of our close partnership with FEL over the past two years we are excited to expand this to include the opportunity for pupils to gain a Level 4 qualification in bike maintenance."