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UK's E-Bike Positive campaign to be adopted by the BA & ACT

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).
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Cycle to work scheme escapes cap but ACT warns Budget fails cycle retailers on business rates and imports

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for... Read more…

Independent retailers reject Black Friday as three-quarters refuse to participate

24 Nov 2025

More than three-quarters of independent retailers, including some of those in the cycling retail sector, are boycotting Black Friday this year, rejecting pressure... Read more…

Stop being a dumping ground for used e-bike batteries

11 Nov 2025

Used e-bike batteries are piling up because too many suppliers are failing to meet their legal obligations and it’s time to stop being polite about it, writes ACT Director Jonathan... Read more…

Independent retailers urge Chancellor - Boost business confidence or risk killing growth before it starts

7 Nov 2025

Britain's independent retailers, including those in the cycling retail sector, are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn budget to restore... Read more…

Independent retailers report worsening retail crime crisis as confidence in police response

17 Oct 2025

A shocking 83% of independent retailers say theft has worsened over the past year, whilst the vast majority of crimes now go unreported due to lack of police response, according to ACT parent... Read more…

ACT member gains coverage in local media thanks to focus on maintaining independent cycling retail presence

14 Oct 2025

ACT member Cyclo Monster has been recognised by local media for its commitment to keeping Derby’s cycling scene independent, community-focused and thriving.
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Experts share how to make your bike last longer – and why regular care pays off

10 Oct 2025

Cycling experts have shared their top tips in a new Guardian feature revealing how simple maintenance habits can extend the life of a bike and save riders from costly repairs.
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ACT parent company Bira welcomes £5bn Pride in Place programme

29 Sep 2025

Bira has welcomed the Government's announcement of a £5 billion Pride in Place programme, saying it will provide the kind of support high street businesses need to thrive.
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Scottish bike shop to celebrate 20-year anniversary with prize draw and instore event

24 Sep 2025

An independent Scottish cycling retailer is celebrating 20 years in business this month with a prize draw and ‘celebratory cupcakes’ during an event at the shop.
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Activate Cycle Academy to open a new north-east Cytech training facility

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

CACAytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy (ACA) is opening a new cycle mechanics training workshop in Darlington, County Durham.

Based within ZyroFisher's Head Office, one of the country's leading distributor of cycle parts, accessories and clothing, this brand new workshop is the latest addition to the expanding number of Cytech training workshops.

Cytech ZyroFisher

From left to right: Jonathan Harrison (ACT), Suzanne Read (ACA), Tom Ainscough (ZyroFisher), Rob Haycock (ZyroFisher), Jack Swain (ACA), Nancy Buckley (ACA).

Managed by the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), Cytech's mission is to raise the standard of professional cycle technicians across the globe. The first-rate training facilities now operate in four continents and new workshops are expected to double by the end of 2022.

Matt Grant, Sales and Marketing Manager at ACA said "We've been looking at opening a training centre in the north-east area for a while now, and when the opportunity arose to utilise some space within ZyroFisher we just couldn't say no. Cytech remains the leading training and accreditation scheme for technicians within the cycle industry with demand growing significantly year on year, so the increase in training capacity that the new workshop will bring will help us better serve the industy."

Rob Haycock, CEO at ZyroFisher adds, "The new facility at our Darlington HQ is ACA's fifth workshop in England, and the second they have opened in the past 12 months. We are excited to be able to provide this purpose-built workshop which offers the very latest state-of-the-art cycle maintenance training facility. All trainees can expect to be working with, training on and using the very latest tools from Unior and equipment from some of the world's finest bicycle manufacturers and brands when they attend a Cytech course."

Cytech ZyroFisher Workshop Suzanne Read, Operations Manager at ACA comments, "We have experienced a three-fold increase in the number of apprenticeship enrolments in the past 12 months, so this new workshop will better serve and cater for the training needs for all our apprentices and local bike shops in the north-east area. A more northern based workshop is something we've been looking to bring online for a number of years, I am glad that it is finally coming to fruition!"

The new Darlington workshop is due to open for practical training on the 21st February 2022. The Cytech journey begins with Theory one online; to celebrate the new location and until the end of February, Cytech are offering £30 off the UK Theory one online course which can be completed online and in your own time, to get you started with your journey. The Theory one distance learning course precedes the Technical one practical course and the two together combine to give you the full Cytech Technical one qualification. For more information head over to the Theory one website: cytechtheoryone.co.uk and to access the discount just use the promo code DARLINGTON at the payment review page. Offer expires 28/02/2022.

For the practical Cytech courses that follow Theory one the dates for the new Darlington workshop have been released. For more details, please contact the ACA sales team on 01865 550324, email: cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk or, check out their website; https://activatecycleacademy.com/cytech-courses/.

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