Barbara’s story of earning a bike
By Rebecca Fisher, Communications Intern
When someone stole Barbara’s bike, she didn’t know what to do. Biking was her main mode of transportation and she couldn’t afford a new bike. Biking is important to her because it is a “sustainable mode of transit and is important for exercise.” She heard about Community Cycling Center’s Earn a Bike Program, so she contacted them to learn more. Before, she had a heavy bike she could barely lift and it was difficult for her to ride past six miles. Barbara explains that the bike she earned through the Community Cycling Center is “much lighter, much better road bike. I can go farther and faster and I can get it on the bus. It granted me much more mobility. I’m thrilled with my new bike.”
Through the Earn a Bike program, Barbara learned loads of new skills from bike maintenance to better riding techniques, including shifting and left turns. Overall, she says she’s “enjoying the heck out of riding around.”
When asked about her favorite part of the program, she said she “got a kick out of working with the kids.” Barbara felt fortunate to experience the Earn a Bike program with a few high school aged participants. She continued with “watching kids get involved encouraged me to learn more. It showed me to not be afraid. Kids are just not afraid to try something new. I just got in there, just like them, and changed tires and did chain maintenance.”
Barbara says she’s glad to have earned a bike through the education program. “It’s a great way to learn about bike repair, meet local kids, challenge yourself, and it’s fun!”