Cambridge Fieldwork

I cycled out to the OWL Bike workshop that pops-up in Addenbrooks hospital carpark once a week. Run by the Papworth Trust , OWL bikes ‘provides vocational training for disabled and disadvantaged people. It recycles and refurbishes unwanted bikes to sell to the public at reasonable prices.’ The bike workshop is located in a wooden hut between the new carpark and the residencies. It was busy when I arrived and the two mechanics had their hands full dealing with a line of people and bikes. I hung around for a while chatting with cyclists. Many had heard about the service via the hospital intranet or had seen notices like the one below in the bike shelters. Most were wanting simply issues fixed such as new brake cables or brake blocks and adjusted mudguards. One woman had just purchased a second hand bike. It was clearly a highly appreciated service.