We offer various workshops and classes on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check out our calendar for upcoming opportunities. In addition to curriculum from the League of American Bicyclists, some of the workshops and classes we plan to offer include:
– Fix-a-Flat: How to Change a Tire – Bike Repair 101
– Safe Riding 101 – Urban Riding Basics
– Adult Learn-to-Ride – Winter Riding 101
Pedal Mettle
Pedal Mettle is a program that focuses on educating youth on safe biking skills and bike repair while providing the youth with the resources necessary to be successful. The program helps youth to better understand the importance of exercise and healthy living, as well as self-sufficiency and sustainability. The youth learn responsibility and teamwork in a positive and enriching setting while being educated on how to set goals. They also increase their confidence and experience a great sense of accomplishment from repairing their own bicycle and helping one another. Upon successful completion of the program, the youth receive the bike that they repaired, a helmet, bike lock, and bike lights.
History: Pedal Mettle was started in August of 2014 and is based on the earn-a-bike model and other successful youth education and bicycle repair programs that exist throughout North America. Passionate volunteers like Kristine Nelson, the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network, and Bike Erie worked together to create and operate this program. For more information on Pedal Mettle, to donate bikes or otherwise, please email Margarita Dangel at mdangel at ssjnn.org or 814-454-7814 ext 302.
Bicycle Cooperative
Bike Erie is helping the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network (SSJNN) to start Erie’s first formal bike cooperative will start in the late spring of 2015. The SSJNN cooperative is a place for everyone in the Erie community to come to learn how to repair and to access the tools that are needed to repair their bikes. Our hope is to grow the co-op into a successful city hub for bicycle education and repair.
The cooperative will be based on other established bicycle cooperatives, collectives, education facilities and programs from across the U.S. and world. We’ve visited and talked with many bicycle cooperatives and similar organizations throughout the U.S., including Recycle a Bicycle of Harrisburg; Spokefolk in Fredonia, New York; Velocity Bicycle Cooperative of Alexandria, Virginia; the Bicycle Collective in Salt Lake City, Utah; and others to learn what it takes to successfully run a bike cooperative. There are well over 100 bike cooperatives and related organizations in the U.S. and approximately ten in Pennsylvania alone.