IN SHORT
What: Do-it-yourself bicycle workshop
When: Every Friday in July, August, September, October and November.
With the exception of July 31 and August 7, 14 and 21. On these days the bicycle mechanic is on holiday.
Hours: Open from 12:00 – 18:00Where: At the Maakbar on the Ceuvel square (covered outdoor area)
For whom: Anyone who wants to learn to repair and maintain their own bike.
Access: Please sign up here so we know how many people to expect.
Signing up too much hassle? Just drop by!
do-it-yourself bicycle workshop “De Standaard”
This community bike kitchen is an accessible bicycle repair workshop at De Ceuvel, where you can drop by every Friday in 2026 to learn how to repair and maintain your own bike with the help of an experienced bicycle mechanic from De Standaard at your side.
Whether you’re dealing with a flat tire, a squeaky chain, or you’re just curious how your bike is put together: here you get the space, the tools, and the knowledge to roll up your sleeves yourself. No complicated jargon or expensive repair costs, just working together, at your own pace and level.
Not only will you save money, you’ll also learn skills you’ll enjoy for years to come. Having a bike repaired can quickly add up in cost. And perhaps best of all: you won’t be doing it alone. Between oiling chains and swapping tires, you’ll meet fellow Ceuvel residents, new people, and neighbors, and help build a community where knowledge and tools are simply shared.
This idea also ties in with the broader reason why De Ceuvel organizes this workshop: at a time when public transport keeps getting more expensive and we’re quicker to throw things away than to repair them, De Standaard offers a shared place where practical and social solutions can be tested and shared. Together we look at what’s possible with the bike and what can still be repaired, arriving at surprising solutions to give old parts a new life.
Come by, bring your bike, and discover how fun tinkering with tools really is!
What is a community bike kitchen?
A community bike kitchen is a shared space where an organization, in this case De Ceuvel, offers a do-it-yourself bicycle repair spot. At this spot, knowledge, tools, and space are shared. The goal of the bike kitchen is to teach people how to repair their own bikes.
The advantage of this is that costs stay low, so you can enjoy your bike for longer. Having a bike repaired can quickly cost a lot of money. On top of that, cycling is healthy, and during the repair sessions you also meet new people.
A few fun facts about cycling:
- Amsterdam has more than 850,000 bicycles!
- The city has more than 500 kilometers of bike paths.
- Around 6,000 bikes are fished out of the water every year.
- In Amsterdam we save around 19 million euros a year in public transport costs simply by hopping on our bikes. 19 million!
“A do-it-yourself workshop is for everyone and for every bike. Where sustainability, connection and self-reliance take center stage”
– Alessandro
Frequently asked questions:
Can I just drop by?
Please sign up in advance via this form, so the bicycle mechanic knows how many people to expect. Signing up online too much hassle? Just drop by.
I’m not handy at all. Can I still work on my own bike?
No problem, this is something you can learn. You’ll get guidance from a bicycle mechanic. You can ask all your questions and learn by doing: start with a small repair or simple maintenance and you’ll naturally get better at it.
Does it cost money?
Use of the space, tools, and guidance is free. Donations are always welcome!
We offer a selection of parts that can be reused from old bikes. These are by donation. Any extra parts you need for your repair, you pay for and arrange yourself.
What can I come here for?
De Standaard focuses on repairs and maintenance. You can hang up your bike and basic tools are available so you can start tinkering yourself. Do you have a bigger project for your bike? Let us know via the form. We’ll look together at what’s possible.
I’m not sure what parts I need for my bike. How do I find out?
Drop by in advance during opening hours on a Friday and discuss with the bicycle mechanic what you need. That way you can go into your repair well prepared.
Safety and guidelines
You are and remain responsible for your own safety and your bike. So wear clothing that’s allowed to get dirty.
Follow De Standaard on Instagram
Join the subgroup ”Do-it-yourself bicycle workshop” in the Ceuvel WhatsApp community.
De Standaard do-it-yourself bicycle workshop is made possible in part by Vereniging de Ceuvel, Noordmakers, and the efforts of volunteers.
