Driving by the storefront of Bike Works in Columbia City, you may assume that it’s merely a well-stocked neighborhood bike shop, offering repair services, re-built and used bikes and a full array of biking accessories. But that’s just half the story. The shop is actually a “front” for a unique program that introduces area youth to bicycling and ultimately provides them with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
“The store accounts for 50 percent of our funds,” explained David Strong, executive director of Bike Works. “The remainder comes from sponsorships and program fees.”
The non-profit community-based organization teaches youths ages nine to 17 to fix bicycles, rewarding their efforts with a bicycle, helmet and lock. The eight-week program and subsequent community service costs only $25 and for those kids whose families cannot afford the fee, scholarships are available.
Throughout the eight weeks of classes, participants learn about bike repair, maintenance and safety. They then work an additional 24 hours repairing a bike which will be donated to other area charities, including Fare Start and the Treehouse project. In the end, their hard work is compensated with a reconditioned bike of their very own.
“By donating the bikes they work on, the students not only receive a tangible ‘reward’ of a bike for their hard work, they also receive the intangible reward of giving back to the community,” said David.
Bike Works teaches 120 students each year. Adult volunteers and staff serve as mentors for the kids, providing guidance, friendship and a strong hand to help loosen bolts. Several of the program’s graduates have gone on to work as professional bike repair mechanics at other local shops. The program also has a Youth Ventures program designed to retain graduates of the program and encourage bike riding. Participants often train together for the popular STP (Seattle to Portland) ride in July.
In addition to making generous gifts locally, Bike Works also donates hundreds of bikes each year to Ghana, Africa. Many of the recipients of these bikes are farmers, teachers and aid workers. The bikes provided are often the only form of transportation they can afford, allowing them a new-found freedom.
One recent graduate of the eight week program summed it up best when he said, “I like bikes because they get me somewhere I want to go.” And Bike Works is providing the road map.
“I felt proud of myself when I earned my first bike from Bike Works…I remember that after I picked out my bike I was so excited. I could hardly wait to work on it…Going to Bike Works is something I look forward to every week.”
— Jasiah Ruby — Program Participant, Seattle, WA
“I love my new bike. It’s blue which is my favorite colour. We have ridden our bikes to lots of local villages to do plays about hygiene/sanitation and health education. The people need to learn more about these things so they do not get sick. You do good work. Can we have more bikes soon?”
— Sara Aidor — High School Student and member of Abura Keep Fit Club, a health education and HIV/AIDS awareness group, Ghana, Africa
BIKE WORKS
3709 S. Ferdinand Street
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: 206.725.9408
E-mail: info@bikeworks.org
Website: www.bikeworks.org
SHOP HOURS
Tue - Fri: 11am 7pm
Sat: 10am 6pm
Sun: 11am 5p
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