 |
Welcome to our first e-Newsletter! If you're receiving this you must be interested and aware of the work of West Town Bikes. We are a multi-faceted organization that uses bicycles as a tool to help build community; not one that is simply about bicycles.
I love bicycles, but I love people even more! I believe that this city can be a better place if everyone used a bike to get around. And I understand that most people have greater concerns than riding a bike. So I ask myself, "How can bikes address people's larger concerns?" How can they help communities with issues about safety, crime, employment, education, housing, and healthcare, just to name a few. Isn't bicycling in comparison a concern for those who can afford it?
I believe that bicycles can be part of a simple solution for these complex issues. Using them as a tool to work with Chicago communities, we address many of these concerns. This has put more people on bikes to get around and make the city a better place to live. The work is far from done and we look forward to the continued use of bikes as our tool. We also look forward to keeping you updated, informed and engaged with this our newest tool, the West Town Bikes e-Newsletter!
-Alex Wilson, Founder & Executive Director, West Town Bikes
|
The Summer 2014 Bicycle Safety and Repair program yielded the greatest number of participants in West Town Bikes history. With 14 Apprentices and 15 Interns the program saw fresh faces and experienced ones. The youth hosted information tents at community farmers markets as well as managed our Bicycles Valet Parking Service at local events. They also hosted mechanic stations, helping other youth learn to fix there own bicycles. We had several participants that really stood out. Jose is an excellent example of the many leaders our organization produces. He has been participating in our programing for the last three years, taking everything that he learns and putting it into immediate use. As a leader among his peers, he guides them in their own bicycle build, showing them what they can do. He has also taken his bicycle mechanic skills to the next level as an Apprentice at Ciclo Urbano, the West Town Bikes retail shop. Jose has taken all of our programs and utilized them to the fullest, embodying what we want for all our youth.
-Lebster Pabon
|
|
|
Cyclocross Racing Program
|
|
Our program kicks off on September 3rd with a meeting and open discussion about who is interested in racing this year. Cyclcoross is a hybrid between mountain bike and road racing. Chicago has a great local series, the Chicago Cross Cup, and our first race is in Caldwell Woods on September 28th. This program will provide sponsorship, mentorship and coaching to juniors and young adults that would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in cyclocross events. Racing cyclocross requires fitness and teaches commitment and perseverance. The skills, knowledge and friendships gained through participation can help form a socially intelligent and responsible, physically fit, person. The sport of cyclocross benefits from our attendance as it creates diversity and new interest that will help it grow. A few photos from our previous season can be found here. I guarantee we will be having a lot of fun! If you have any questions about the program or sport, contact Michael Young at michael@westtownbikes.org or 312-656-1953.
-Michael Young
|
|
|
Bike Shop
 We celebrated our 5th year in business back in May! We're are proud to claim that over half our full-time staff are graduates of WTB youth programs. Here's what one of our customers, Jose N., said about us recently on Yelp:
"Unfortunately, on my first ride this summer, I got stranded with a non-working bike in the middle of a forest with mosquitoes voraciously attacking me ... Luckily, I came across Ciclo Urbano. As soon as I explained my problem, Jean Carlos and Felix knew what was causing it. Jean Carlos replaced the part within 30 minutes ... He let me watch while he worked and answered all of my questions. You could tell he loves what he's doing. He also replaced my rear shifter cable, my chain and adjusted my brakes for much less than my previous estimates. You could sense the camaraderie amongst the young mechanics. I love the fact that West Town Bikes and its store Ciclo Urbano support the youth of the community by teaching them bicycle repairs. I will definitely return to Ciclo Urbano for any future repairs and purchases."
Thanks to for the nice review!
-Michael Bush
|
|
|
|
|
