Thanks to WIBW for inviting us over to talk about the shop. Volunteer Robert Fitzgerald appeared on WIBW’s News @ 4 to talk about TCCP with anchor Melissa Brunner.
Click here to view!
http://wibw.videogenesis.net/watch?v=10764
The following was prepared by Fitzgerald in advance for the interview, but time goes fast – so not all of it was addressed.
What is a community bicycle workshop?
we’re a completely volunteer-run learning and workspace in downtown where people can use our shop stands and tools to repair their bicycles, to learn about bicycle repair, and to talk about cycling.
What is earn-a-bike?
e-a-b is a program where anyone can earn a bike by volunteering 10 hours down at the shop (sorting parts, cleaning tools, sweeping – general shop duties) at which point they can pick out one of the donated bicycles and then work with a shop mechanic to refurbish the bicycle, learning bicycle repair along the way. once completed, they will have earned a bike and learned bicycle repair. the individual makes an investment in the shop by volunteering and then the shop makes an investment in that individual to teach them how to maintain their bike.
How can people get involved (volunteer)?
stop down at the shop during “open shop” on thursdays from 5pm to 7pm and saturdays from 10am – 1pm and let the shop “greeter” know you are there to volunteer. we generally have projects that we’re working on, but sometimes it’s just a chance to meet other volunteers and build community.
What types of donations can you use?
we can use all kinds of things down there. the community has been great in donating bikes – over 300 to date – of which we’ve sent dozens of refurbished bikes back into the community. we can continue to receive bicycles in any state (bikes that can not be salvaged for earn-a-bike are used as donor bikes to provide parts to earn a bikes). we could use some storage solutions. if people have metal filing cabinets or metal or plastic shelving units we can use those. parts bins, storage bins, and the like are also useful. we have a donate page at cycleproject.org/donate that lists in more detail some of the items that we can continue to put to good use including tools, shop storage, and miscellaneous items. financial contributions are always welcome as well. it takes on average approximately $10 per bicycle in parts, grease, and other consumables that we can’t salvage from other donor bikes to refurbish an earn-a-bike. people can go to the website to donate online or get our po box where they can send financial contributions.
How is cycling in Topeka?
it’s great riding bike in topeka. there are great trails and several great routes that can effectively get a person across town without having to deal with too much traffic. the most important thing to remind your viewers is that bicyclists are encouraged to ride on the road, have a legal right to be there, and that drivers should give at least three to four feet, ideally getting over a lane, when passing cyclists. if you’re driving on a road and you see a cyclist, give them space when passing, don’t crowd them and appreciate that there’s one less car on the road which translates to less traffic congestion overall. when it comes to collisions between bikes and cars, bikes always lose. if you’re driving please be aware of cyclists, yield the right of way, and get to where you’re going safely.