Free Wheelin'
Free Wheelin is a youth bike maintenance and repair program based on our program Bike Path. We recently held the inaugural session of 10 local students. The students came from local public housing and, after three weeks, they are comfortable with wrenches and riding. Each went home on their own bike, helmet, lock and tool kit. The graduation was followed up with a celebratory community bike tour.
Graduates of the first session of Free Wheelin'
It is amazing how this happened and we have many partners to thank. NewLab donated an inspiring space. Target led the way donating 7 bikes. Rita Zimmer (a guiding light for those changing the fate of NYC women impacted by the criminal justice system) followed with 5 bikes. Our long-time partner Bike New York’s Hank Baker continued as the instructor. Keith Hall and Robert Nicholas are the Bike Path mechanics who got the donated bikes ready. Another Bike Path grad, Anthony Banks stepped up as the assistant instructor and mentor for the kids, joining volunteer Sam Shields from GMACC on the program staff. (GMACC is a violence-interrupter group, helping young people find alternatives to patterns which lead to violence.) Good Company Bike Club CEO Drew Bennett will lead our community bike tour on Saturday. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership is provisioning the bike tour. Bikes and helmets for the tour were donated by Citi Bike.