Most people know how to ride a bike but how many know how to fix a flat or replace a broken chain?
Too few, according to Chelsea Hobbis, marketing co-ordinator at Cap's Westwood Cycle.
But that's about to change thanks to a unique partnership between the Port Coquitlam-based business and Riverside secondary school.
Starting this fall, students in Riverside's skill development program for special needs kids have been learning about bike components, tools and safety, and how to repair bikes. For the past several weeks, the students have taken apart bikes and, with instruction provided by bike technician Ryan Gardiner, will put them back together.
If all goes well, the students will be able to offer the refurbished bikes to KidSport Tri-Cities to be sold to raise funds for sports registration fees for disadvantaged kids.
"This is a great way for kids to get hands on and away from video games," said Hobbis, who added bikes can provide independence for youth, especially if they know how to fix them.
Skill development teacher Christine Hilliard said the idea came about because one of her students used a bike to get around but was constantly without wheels because the bike needed repairs.
By learning how to fix bikes themselves, she said, students could be more independent and the skills could transfer to other mechanical areas. What's more, by donating the bikes back to KidSport to be sold, the students can feel good about giving back to kids in their community.
"Riverside kids use KidSport assistance so it's great to be able to support them," Hilliard said.
Gardiner, who is originally from Australia and was headhunted by Westwood Cycle for his bike technician skills, said he's having fun being a teacher.
"It's easy for me to do something I love," he said.
The class consists of three boys who learn bike repair skills on Tuesday mornings but one day, the program might expand to other classes, schools and districts, Hobbis said. (In addition to its Poco and Port Moody stores, Cap's Westwood has outlets in Maple Ridge and Burnaby.)
"You have to start somewhere and it's great to have hope," she said, adding, "Nobody remembers their first video game but everyone remembers their first bike."
