Bicycle Mechanics College
By Brianne Boysen
PedNet is introducing a new program to its lineup of bicycle classes called “Bicycle Mechanics College.” This 8-week course will debut in March and cover everything you need to know about maintaining, repairing, and re-building your bike. The idea for this course came from PedNet Education Coordinator Gina Overshiner, who was inspired by another similar bicycle program at the Bici Centro Community Bike Repair Shop and Education Center in Santa Barbara, California.
Back in 2008, the Bici Centro Community Bike Repair Shop and Education Center started an 8-week program for bikers to learn the mechanics of their bikes. This program was called the “Learn Your Bike” series. Bici Centro Education Coordinator Christine Bourgeois, along with two Bici Centro bike mechanics, developed a curriculum, lesson plans, and hand-outs for each important part of the bicycle.
After doing some Internet research, Overshiner had come across Bici Centro’s program. With help from Mike Bowman, a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) at PedNet, Overshiner adapted Bici Centro’s “Learn Your Bike” series into “Bicycle Mechanics College.” Overshiner had spoken with Bourgeois about the success of the series:
“The biggest success of the program is the empowering feeling that it brings to participants and with each training, Bici Centro increases a pool of wonderful and trained volunteers” said Bourgeois.
Overshiner feels the program will be very successful at PedNet with their trained LCI’s:
“We are fortunate to have a very knowledgeable group of instructors with strong mechanics-based backgrounds to draw from.”
Bicycle Mechanics College will be an 8-week program covering the following topics:
- Week 1: Basic maintenance and repairs
- Week 2: Tires, rims and fixing flats
- Week 3: Hubs, bearing and bottom brackets
- Week 4: Wheels and truing
- Week 5: Drive Train – cranks, chains, cogs, cassettes, chain rings
- Week 6: Shifters and derailleurs
- Week 7: Brakes
- Week 8: Bike fit, ergonomics, control and speed
The program will take place at Walt’s Bike Shop on Wednesday evenings in March and April. Read more information about the program.
