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A comment on France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lockdown ends.

Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by alias_neo on Friday May 01, 2020 @11:49AM (#23043258)
It's a nice gesture but hardly solves a problem. If the payment is for a mechanic to perform some "service" on your bicycle to make it roadworthy again, and from it you gain neither the tools nor the knowledge to perform two simple, necessary tasks for a cyclist; replace a tyre/inner tube, or replace a chain; what's the long term benefit?

How about put 50 euros per cyclist into a tool kit, a dozen inner tubes and some education (YouTube videos even?) so they can continue to cycle long after the 50 euro one time service has passed?

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Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by testing312 on Friday May 01, 2020 @01:45PM (#23044616)
> to perform two simple, necessary tasks for a cyclist; replace a tyre/inner tube, or replace a chain

Never had to do either of those things, driving a bike almost daily throughout the city to school, hobbies, friends,... The few times my tire went flat, a short visit to a mechanic cost alsmost nothing

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Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by Jenda_ on Friday May 01, 2020 @07:13PM (#23047468)
What total mileage do you have? In my experience, it will start skipping on some gears after 7000 or maybe 10000 km and then you need to change the entire drivetrain, because it got destroyer by the heavily worn-out chain.

Learning to fix the flat myself was good because I can do it immediately in 10 minutes without having to walk the bike to the shop (which are closed during evenings/weekends) and wait.

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Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by alias_neo on Friday May 01, 2020 @03:40PM (#23045735)
Sure, but this funding would presumably cover you for one visit. Is that enough to convince you to start cycling if you don't already?

If they want to convince people to ride, it makes sense to provide them the tools to sustain themselves.

Teach a man to fish... And all that.

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Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by egypturnash on Friday May 01, 2020 @12:41PM (#23043880)
"Cycle training and temporary parking spaces will also be provided by the funds"
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Re:France offers each cyclist €50 for bike repairs once lock... by SirLuxuryYacht on Friday May 01, 2020 @11:54AM (#23043316)
But what about the economy? Jokes aside, bike mechanics have to pay rent too.
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