about three years ago, i moved into a bad lower-class apartment complex. and two years ago, i took up biking.
when i worked on my bike(s) in front of my apartment, neighborhood kids would approach, pushing some bike they'd either found in the garbage or stored on their back porch since the thing fell apart. and they wanted one of three things:
- can you fix it?
- can i watch you fix it so i know how to fix it later?
- can i borrow some tools so that i can fix it?
let me address these in parts:
1. bike repair is simple, but for some reason, everyone is afraid of doing simple repairs by themselves. if you can unscrew a light bulb, you can probably maintain or upgrade your bike. but, i'll admit, even when i started i often called other bikers for advice...what part do i need? how do you know that it's x? or y? is there a tool that makes this easier?
2. a kid came to me with a flat tire, day after day, week after week, always wanting to use my pump. i finally told him it wasn't the tire, but the tube. and that his pump privileges were revoked until he patched the tube. he argued with me, saying he only needed the pump. i argued back and showed him how a tire works by repairing one myself. the next day he showed up with an inner-tube wrapped in packing tape. he now knows how to patch a tube.
3. most of the kids in my neighborhood (and i believe this is true for a lot of lower income neighborhoods) just don't have access to tools. so instead of sustaining their bikes, they discard them. this is not a good habit to get into -- for them or the environment -- so why not empower them to be sustainable.
well, over 75 bikes and 2 years later, there isn't a bike in disrepair in my neighborhood. when i cruise into my neighborhood, the kids are out biking.
they are getting exercise.
they are going to other neighborhoods and seeing new things.
they are free from this rathole we both call home.
and to me, that is beautiful. that is why i'm happy to begin this journey. and that is why i hope you'll get inspired, too.
