Campus cyclists can now get their enviro-friendly rides tuned for free at a more central campus location-the basement of the International Student Centre at 33 St. George St.
Bikechain, a bike repair shop run by student mechanics, provides the expertise and tools without charge. The group teaches U of T students, staff, and faculty how to fix their bikes for free, and will now have trained mechanics available year round. All campus cyclists have to pay for is the parts at wholesale prices.
“We promote cycling by trying to make it more affordable, and by making people more confident in their ability to ride and fix a bicycle,” said Carlene Thatcher-Martin, Bikechain’s founder and U of T’s alternative transportation coordinator.
Aside from teaching bike maintenance and repair, the student group will offer urban cycling workshops on topics such as safety and theft prevention. (About 100 bicycles were reported stolen to St. George campus police last year.)
Since its inception in September 2005, Bikechain has operated out of the OISE basement. The new space is more permanent, and one future project is to build a ramp going down into the basement of the Cumberland House, so cyclists can descend into the group’s work area more easily.
Bikechain was created by the Sustainability Office to promote cycling on campus. “It’s not just a place where you get your bike fixed, it encourages bike culture on campus,” said Beth Savan, the office’s director.
Thatcher-Martin also hopes that Bikechain will develop a closer relationship with international students, who they now share a building with, to raise further awareness about sustainability issues.
“The majority of international students, especially from emerging societies like China and India, see cars as a status symbol,” said Ben Yang, director of the International Student Centre. “We need to challenge the assumption that everyone needs to drive a car to have a high standard of living.”
Bikechain is currently open from 12-5 on Tuesdays and Fridays, and 2-7 on Thursdays.
