11/22/2008 10:29:00 AM Mechanically savvy volunteers demystify bicycle culture
Bikery volunteer mechanic Emer McKenna (left) helps out Jenny Helfand with a bike tire repair. True to the organization�s guiding slogan of �Fix it. Ride it. Teach others,� McKenna worked with Helfand during the entire repair process. Before The Bikery procured their shop at the northern end of the Rainier Valley in the Central District near Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, the organization hosted regular bike repair events, open workshop hours and community rides out of the Garfield Community Center and a collection of private residences on Beacon Hill. The Bikery continues to host open bike maintenance clinics on Saturday afternoons from 2-5 p.m. Photo: ERIK HANSEN
Kyler Hansen scopes out the action inside The Bikery�s newly opened workspace at 1265 Main St., suite 104, during the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 15, from the safety of the sidewalk. The party, which lasted from 2-5 p.m., drew dozens of supporters with
several members on hand who helped spread the word about the non-profit organization�s mission while helping several people do some minor bike repairs on their rides. Photo: ERIK HANSEN
By ERIK HANSEN
The display floor and attached mechanic's workspace of the typical Seattle bicycle shop can inspire equal feelings of exhilaration and intimidation to bike riders, regardless of their experience level. For any lover of two-wheeled transportation, being around a collection of clean, fast-looking bicycles with all the requisite racks of shiny silver parts, well ventilated helmets and brightly colored technical gear can feel like Christmas morning no matter what the calendar says. The flip-side feeling is a vague sense of helplessness that often washes through a bike owner, who has little or no mechanical acumen, in possession of a bicycle in dire need of crucial repairs.
For the last three years the volunteer staff of bicycle enthusiasts and mechanics at The Bikery have been striving to bridge the gap left when a rider's enthusiasm for their light, speedy cycles collides with their lack of knowledge about their machines and the subsequent intimidation they feel when confronted by the seemingly inaccessible world of bike mechanics who use specialized tools like chain whips and truing jigs to keep the bicycles entrusted to their temporary care rolling smoothly. To accomplish this, The Bikery personnel tap into the spirit of an old proverb; "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." Or, as The Bikery's logo states, "Fix it. Ride it. Teach others."
"It's nice to have a permanent place," said Elaina Buzzell, a volunteer for more than a year and part of The Bikery's communications and programming committees. "A lot of people feel some bike shops are not friendly to beginners, women and minorities."
Buzzell's sentiments of marginalization have been codified in the organization's "anti-oppression framework." This paradigm is summarized in a pull-no-punches statement included in their membership orientation material:
"Consider that most bicycle shops in Seattle are staffed by Caucasian men, with mechanic roles in particular being male dominated. For a person not of European descent - and especially for women - challenges quickly arise in being a minority. The frustration and alienation that are inherent in the culture this creates paves a path that keeps those in these minorities from engaging in bicycle culture, in learning about their bike and how to properly maintain it."
Buzzell noted The Bikery's all-volunteer work and management force combats such feelings of frustration and alienation by making sure all who walk through the shop's doors are welcomed. She also said that membership in The Bikery - which is not required to patronize the shop's services - hinges on a commitment of regular meeting attendance and a minimum number of volunteer hours devoted to running and organizing the shop. Being a member allows people to help shape the direction of the organization and gives them the ability to hold office in the programming, steering, communication or finance committees.
As for the new location at the culmination of the chaotic intersection that sees Boren Avenue morphing into Rainier Avenue South, two-year Bikery volunteer Karl Chapman feels it's the perfect place.
"We wanted a space that was centrally located," said Chapman, who added that core members were looking to set up their operation anywhere that sported good bike and car access from the northern end of the Rainier Valley, over to the International District, and in the Central Area south of Seattle Central Community College. "It's a pretty ideal spot. We're just excited with the storefront, which allows us to reach out to more people."
Both Buzzell and Chapman feel that getting out of the rotating-shop location The Bikery has been operating under for the past several years will break down a significant barrier to participation for many potential patrons and members. In addition to allowing a consistent place to schedule events, classes and dedicated workspace, the new location allows for more parts and bike storage.
According to Chapman, The Bikery sells new and used parts as well as new and used bikes to support the organization. The used bikes may be the best deal with as-is rides going for as low as $40 and ranging up to $100.
However, Buzzell and Chapman both noted that cost is a barrier they want people to be able to surmount without much difficulty. With this in mind, people wishing to use The Bikery's tools (they have three complete sets of bike tools) and numerous bike stands are charged a $5 per hour fee.
The organization takes the affordability component even further with a work trade program that gives participants $10 in Bikery credit for every hour volunteered. The credit can be put toward used parts, stand time and as-is bikes, which usually are not complete.
"We're a community bike project," Chapman said. "We're trying to empower people to fix their own bikes for as low cost as possible."
For more information on The Bikery, visit their website at www.thebikery.org or call 568-3535.
Erik Hansen may be reached via editor@southseattlebeacon.com.
