If you’re in the market for a used bike, then Toledo Bikes has a showroom full of options for you.
Begun in 2007 as the Toledo City Bicycle Cooperative,
the recently renamed Toledo Bikes not only strives to provide all with
affordable, recycled bikes, but also works to teach
people bike maintenance skills. In that sense, the
cooperative is a community education center.
Toledo Bikes takes its educational mission seriously. For teens going through the juvenile courts systems,teetering on the verge of trouble, the cooperative offers a bike maintenance apprenticeship program. Participants pick out an old bike and learn how to make it rideable again. “These classes really give kids a sense of accomplishment,” says Mike Hayden, Director of Operations and Education at Toledo Bikes. Moreover, the program exposes the kids to a positive hobby, while at the same time giving them a marketable skill.
The shop also provides low-cost access to a fully equipped bike repair shop, which comes in handy once you’ve taken one of the maintenance classes. With 10 work stations, there
is adequate space to exercise your repair and tune-up skills, as well as all the tools you could need. And, for every hour you
volunteer at the coop, you earn a credit hour to work on your own bike in the shop.
If you’re looking to clean those old bikes out of your garage,
the coop will gladly accept them, but asks that you
donate $10 for each bike you give. Because there are many costs associated with the refurbishment
process, this money will help keep bike prices low and
allow the coop to give free bikes to those who cannot
afford them. Classes are also offered to the general public. In the New Rider Maintenance Class, you’ll learn how to fix a flat, lube a chain, and make simple adjustments to your bike. Already got the basics down? Try the Tune-up Class, in which you’ll hone skills related to more complex bike maintenance. Or, learn it all by constructing your own ride in the Build A Bike Class. Proceeds from all
classes fund the juvenile apprenticeship programs.
Hours: Monday and Thursday 5-8 pm; Sunday 4-7 pm.
1114 Washington Ave.
For more information
about bikes or classes, call or go online. 419-386-6090.
www.toledobikecoop.org
