About us
Who we are
We are a small team of volunteers in the Reading cycle community who believe that cycling should be accessible for all.
Reading Bike Hub exists to make cycling easier, more inclusive, and more accessible for everyone in Reading regardless of age, ability or experience. Our goal is to empower people to choose cycling for their everyday journeys by offering affordable bike services, education and community support.
We envision a Reading where more people cycle to work, school, leisure or study. Cycling can improve personal wellbeing and contribute to a healthier, greener and more connected town.
Our approach
The Challenge
Reading is a compact town where most everyday journeys could easily be made in a 15 minute cycle. Yet, despite its potential, cycling uptake is held back by a lack of connected support, community spaces and accessible resources.
Cyclists in Reading come from all walks of life:
- A commuter looking to cut carbon and keep fit
- A parent transporting children to school
- An older rider navigating the town on an e-bike
But many face barriers — from choosing the right bike, to knowing how to maintain it or where to get help when it breaks down. Needs also change over time: a growing family may need a trailer for just a few months, a lifelong cyclist may seek electric support as they age.
These challenges can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. Without affordable repairs, flexible equipment options or guidance, it’s easy to give up on cycling altogether.
Our Solution: A Bike Workshop & Library for the Community
Reading Bike Hub is designed to break down those barriers. We provide a welcoming space where people can:
- Try before they buy — short-term loans of cargo bikes, tandems, or trailers so people can test what suits their needs
- Access affordable services — refurbished bikes for sale and low-cost repairs
- Learn and build confidence — through guided or unassisted DIY repairs, supported by friendly mechanics and accessible tools
- Join a vibrant community — where learning, sharing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do
Our workshop will offer timely support, hands-on learning and a place to ask all the questions you’re not sure where else to ask, no matter your starting point.
Our Values
At Reading Bike Hub, we’re committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone regardless of gender identity, race, background, refugee status or the type of bike you ride.
- We offer unisex toilets, a changing area for small children, and free sanitary products in our bathrooms because period poverty should never be a barrier.
- You don’t need to be a bike expert to be treated with kindness here. We’re here to help, whether you want to learn more or just need your bike fixed.
- We support ebike users and work on mechanical repairs (brakes, chains, pedals), but we don’t convert bikes or repair electronic components. We don’t store or sell batteries on site, and ask that customers take their batteries with them when leaving bikes overnight. We stand by the Ebike Safety Pledge, and we support food couriers as vital members of our town’s cycling ecosystem.
- Our work is community-driven. We support movements like Critical Mass and collaborate with local groups to make Reading safer and stronger. We do not support trans-exclusionary organisations or those who unfairly target couriers and low-income riders.
- We aim to support riders through every stage of life, from parents with trailers to older cyclists looking for accessible solutions.
Company Details
Company Name: Reading Bike Hub CIC
Company Number: 16560033
Company Type: Private Limited by Guarantee
Companies House Submission Number: 108-380943
Our SUPPORTERS
Photography by Adam Adrian