Youth en Route, Bathtub Bikes, opening DIY bike shop
The secret is out of the saddle bag, so to speak.
Youth en Route is partnering with Bathtub Bikes and opening a community bike shop. It’s a unique partnership between a small business and a small charity that will deliver a needed service in Calgary – a place to fix your own bike. The goal is to have the Bike Hub, located at 320A 65th AVE SE, become a learning space, community meeting place and so much more.
We are a few weeks away from officially opening, so please be patient while our team get the space ready for visitors. We still have bike programs at schools, so our mechanics are always busy. However, we will have a sneak-a-peek at Bike Calgary’s Winter Bike Day on Feb 14th.
How access to DIY shop will work
Fixers wanting to access the BikeHub to work on their own bike will have to become a member. We’ve set the cost at just $20 per year, to ensure the space is accessible to all, especially the youth we have given bikes to. Our online portal will allow you to purchase a membership, sign a waiver, book an orientation, and easily check in when you arrive at the BikeHub to work.
While the membership will raise a bit of funding to keep the shop stocked with lubricants, cleaners and gloves, it won’t cover the cost of operations. We are asking those that can pay more, to consider a donation that will come with a tax receipt from Youth en Route.
BikeHub will be open four days a week to start, from Wednesday to Saturday 10 to 5 p.m. You’ll be able to get support from professional fixers in the space. We want it to be a community space where we can all share our love of bikes.
Just as in the space, we are working on the portal and will share when its ready to start taking memberships.
Second Location of Bathtub Bikes
The best part of this space is that its shared with a second location of Bathtub Bikes. Adam Rhind’s store has been a fixture on International Ave for five years. This second location will also be a full service repair shop and will sell a great selection of affordable used bikes. Adam’s team will also repair mobility devices like wheelchairs and walkers at the location.
DIYers using the Bike Hub will have access to a huge inventory of new and used parts that they can purchase from Bathtub Bikes. When we considered this space, we didn’t want to compete with the bike shops. They are our partners, and we want people to buy parts and services from bike retailers.
Adam is planning a March 15th opening for his side of the venture. It will also be Youth en Route’s office space, and where we manage our fleets, Kids Bike Trade Up and do our own refurbishing projects for our bike giveaways. There will be new opportunities to volunteer to support our work,
For more information, please email bikehub@youthenroute.ca
Keep an eye out on www.yycbikehub.ca. You’ll be able to get all the details and access the member portal from this website.
