June Newsletter
Dear Friends,
You are invited to join us at Recycle-A-Bike’s new home: 12 Library Court in Olneyville Square. Here’s a quick update on the many programs we’ll be offering this summer!
Open Shop
The first weekly Open Shop of the season is Tuesday, June 7th 5pm-8pm at our new shop. Open Shop is a time when anyone can drop in to use the RAB tools and space to repair or do routine maintenance on their bike. This is a do-it-yourself model with a master mechanic and volunteer mechanics providing technical expertise and guidance. You don’t have to have any bike mechanics experience to join us, but be prepared to get your hands greasy. If you do have basic bike maintenance knowledge, you are invited to come and help your fellow rider or work on our fleet of donated bikes. The average cost is $5/hr sliding scale. Used parts are discounted and new parts are determined by the market rate. Buy-A-Bike: contact shop@recycleabike.org Donate-A-Bike: fill out the online questionnaire.
Earn-A-Bike
Save the date for Earn-A-Bike starting at the end of June. Participants build two bikes and keep one under the instruction of a master mechanic. No previous mechanics experience necessary to join, but your dedication is necessary. This requires the participation in six consecutive weeks of 2hr Wrenching Wednesdays and 2hr of Open Shop. All participants must sign up specifically for Earn-A-Bike before beginning.
Bike Valet
We will also offer a Bike Valet Parking at the Saturday Farmers Market all summer. So ride your bike to the market, park it at our valet location, and go shopping. Volunteers are needed to man the stand as well. Interested in being a valet parker contact valet@recycleabike.org.
Wrenching Wednesdays
Wrenching Wednesdays mechanics classes are available starting at the end of June for those who would like to learn bike mechanics but don’t want/need to earn a bike. This a weekly 2hr class on Wednesday for six consecutive weeks for $180. You learn to use the tools, trouble shoot bike issues, fix a flat, change a tire, clean and lube the bike, replace cable and housing, adjustment derailleur, align breaks, and the quick learner will even dabble in rotational systems and wheel truing. Earn-A-Bike or Wrenching Wednesday sign up: contact jenna@recycleabike.org.
Math & Mechanics Class
Congratulations to the eleven students who finished building bikes during their six week Math and Mechanics class! Recycle-A-Bike teacher, Nik Perry, and assistant mechanic, Jenna Yu, paired with Jeffrey Johnson of The Met School to offer a Build-A-Bike internship program with an emphasis on math. Students learned gear ratios important to the SATs, bike mechanics, safe riding and refurbished bicycles that they got to keep! Pictured right: Here they are in the final class each with his or her own bike ready to ride on the Woonasquatucket Path.
This June volunteers are needed to help:
- Valet bikes at the Saturday Farmers Market
- Organize the shop and parts
- Build bikes if you are experienced with bike mechanics
- Be a greeter at Open Shop (assist new comers in getting started)
- Join a committee: shop, events, development, financial
Email info@recycleabike.org with questions.