What to do if you have a puncture

You might prefer to take your bike to a bike shop to have it mended. This costs about £5-6. Details of local bike shops can be found by following the link on this page. If you wish to mend your inner tube yourself or you want to know how to fit a new inner tube download the 'How to mend a puncture' attachment on this page.

Helpful tips for avoiding punctures:

• Keeping your tyres properly pumped up will do more to stop flat tyres than anything else you can do!
• Buy good tyres (some have reinforcement such as Kevlar) and high quality thick inner tubes.
• Fit anti-puncture strips between the tyre and inner tube or squirt anti-puncture sealant (“Slime” is the best known brand) into the inner tube through the valve before you have any punctures. This will automatically seal any small holes from inside.
• Don’t cycle too close to the kerb as this is where glass, stones and thorns collect.
• At the end of your ride, check your tyres and remove foreign objects.

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