Look after your wheels

""

Your bike will perform at its best when it is kept well maintained by following this simple ABC guide to bike maintenance.

For more information on simple DIY bike maintenance tips, sign up to one of our free bike skills sessions on maintaining your bike.  

Tips to keep your bikes and scooters safe

Here are some simple tips to help keep your bikes and scooters safe from theft.

  • Invest in a good quality lock! D-locks are usually the most secure lock, however it is important to make sure that they are linked correctly through both the wheel and frame of the bike.

  • If you live in multi-residential housing, it is recommended to store your bike or scooter in your residence as opposed to the communal carpark.

  • Take note of your scooter or bike serial number. This number can also be registered with Queensland Police Services, and in the unlikely event that your bike or scooter is stolen, this can be used to identify and return the vehicle to you.

  • Consider concealing a small GPS tracker on your vehicle so it’s whereabouts can be tracked at all times.

The ABC of bike maintenance

Air

Ensure your tyres are inflated to the pressure marked on the side of your tyres. It always helps when your pump has a pressure gauge. Properly inflated tyres will reduce your chance of getting a flat and make pedalling far easier. You should check your tyre pressure before every ride.

Brakes

The brake pad comes down on the wheel as you squeeze the brake levers. To test your brake pads, check that they are hitting the rims or disc (depending on your kind of brakes) evenly and aren’t missing the rim or disc at any point. It’s good to keep an eye on general wear and tear on the surface of the pads. Most rim brake pads have grooves that act as markers, and once they are worn away, it’s time to replace them.

Chain

Your chain should be clean, lubricated and quiet! If you hear anything more than a smooth clicking noise, you should check it for any maintenance issues. It’s important to lubricate your chain regularly, but be careful not to get any on the wheel rims. 

Bike repair stations

Council is installing bike repair stations along Brisbane's bikeway network. Instead of worrying about bringing toolkits along for your ride, you can rest your bike against the fixed blue stand and use a variety of attached tools (such as screwdrivers/allen keys/levers) to make basic repairs to your bike, or to inflate a tyre.

Stations are located at:

  • at the end of Victoria Street cul-de-sac in Riverside Drive Park, West End
  • at the base of the Wheel of Brisbane, South Brisbane
  • behind the River Quay Green lawn area, South Bank
  • River Quay Green, South Bank
  • Clem Jones Promenade (near the Wheel of Brisbane), South Brisbane
  • 10 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
  • Riverside Drive Park (at intersection with Victoria Street), West End
  • Banyan Lawn, Roma Street Parkland
  • Multiple locations at University of Queensland campus, St Lucia
  • Lores Bonney Riverwalk
  • Roma Street Parklands at North Brisbane Bikeway, Parkland Crescent
  • North Brisbane Bikeway, Mann Park Windsor
  • Jim Soorley Bikeway at Albert Bishop Park, Hedley Avenue, Nundah
  • Cnr Brisbane St and Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia. 

Your next bike service

It is important that an experienced mechanic services your bike every 12 months. As a Cycling Brisbane member, you have access to a number of bike service deals and discounts from sponsoring businesses. Find your closest service provider and take advantage of your membership. 

02 November 2021