Partnership delivers a new experience and wheels for kids
Once a week, 10 students at West Island College, a private Grade 7-12 school in Calgary, get together to work in the WIC Bike Club.
In 2024, a small group of WIC students approached Erik Loewen, the school’s Academic and Career Advisor and avid cyclist, about finding a way to give back to their community through cycling. They came up with the idea of creating a bike shop, where students could learn new skills, recycle old bikes and parts, and work with a local charity to ensure that the bikes they fixed got to less fortunate students around the city.
“There is so much problem solving and understanding how things work that goes on when you try to fix a bike,” said Loewen. “There’s also lots of teamwork and getting your hands dirty and there’s a real sense of accomplishment when you’re successful.”
Learning new skills
Youth en Route has supported WIC’s students with access to old bikes in need of love, and expert support.
In return, the students are giving bikes back to YER to give to our students and youth in need.
“I learned about it last year and have really enjoyed learning bike repair skills,” said Dana, a Grade 11 student. “It’s a different experience for me, learning to fix brakes and derailleurs, and its rewarding to know that the bikes will be used and loved.”
Grade 12 students Griffin and Jacob do a bit of bike riding, and had some basic maintenance skills, but working in the school bike shop has helped them more than they imagined. They’ve trued wheels, packed bearings and exchanged parts.
Contributing to circular economy
“You have to stop and think about what’s going on with the bike, and those are great skills,” said Jacob. “I’m going into engineering and I think doing this has helped me think more like an engineer.”
The students handed over two refurbished bikes to YER in January and two more in May, and are hoping to have more soon.
“This is really a win-win for Youth en Route,” said Executive Director Laura Shutiak. “These kids are learning tangible skills, and we’re able to get more bikes upcycled and back to use as bikes.
Donate your unloved bikes
The small kids bike will go into our upcoming Kids Bike Trade Up event and the white bike – dubbed the “frankenbike” because of its unusual parts and geometry, will be delivered to a graduate of our PE programs soon.
If you have bikes to donate to Youth en Route, please reach out! We are keen to get our hands on as many bikes as possible. We are hoping to deliver 200 refurbished bikes to kids by the end of the school year. Please watch our social channels to learn about our upcoming Kids Bike Trade UP event.
