West Town Bikes

West Town Bikes is a not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)3 volunteer-driven organization based in West Town / Humbolt Park Chicago, Illinois that offers "bicycling workshops, mechanics classes, safety programs and employment opportunities throughout the city". In its fifteen years West Town Bikes "have served thousands of youth and placed hundreds in jobs."[1]

West Town Bikes
Founded2004
FounderAlex Wilson
TypeNon-profit organization
PurposeNonprofit community bicycle learning center
Location
  • 2459 W Division St, Chicago, Illinois
Websitewesttownbikes.org

Founding and history

Alex Wilson founded West Town Bikes in 2005 after a long involvement in grassroots cycling efforts such as Critical Mass, Bike Winter and other local bike efforts. These lead to positions in what is now the Active Transportation Alliance and the Chicago Department of Transportation's Bike Program from 2001 to 2004. This led to developing a summer youth Earn-a-Bike program with sponsor (Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation). This created a template to start West Town Bikes.[2]

Ciclo Urbano

Ciclo Urbano started in 2010 and is West Town Bikes youth run retail operation which offers refurbished bikes, new and used parts, locks, and accessories as well as a full repair shop. The shop is proud to offer a range of merchandise from national and international bike brands. The funds from these (with program funding, grants and individual donations) support the West Town bike mission.

This retail operation is usually staffed by individuals who have come up through various West Town Bike programs and have a passion for bikes, cycling and community engagement.

Bike Club

The after school hours Bike Club gives local youth the opportunity to work on their bikes and socialize in a safe, supportive environment. The youth programs have a focus on bike mechanics and repair, safe cycling, health and social responsibility.[3]

The program often leads to long-term relationships. Many of the individuals who begin attending bike club have gone on to working in Ciclo Urbano as well as being involved with other teaching and outreach programs offered by West Town Bikes.

Girls Bike Club

The Girls Bike Club was started in response to a shortage of women showing up for the bike club and is the first first female-focused youth program in the country.[4]

This self directed effort serves as a friendly introduction to female riders who might have had the opportunity to develop advanced bike repair skills. The group has traveled as far as New York to participate in the Youth Bike Summit. [5] Similarly the Women and Trans’ Night offers a supportive environment for women and non-gender binary individuals to interact and learn about bike repair in an engaging environment.

After School Matters

In partnership with After School Matters West Town Bikes runs programs on site and as well as at ASM Lutz Family Center, Roosevelt High School, and Kelvyn Park High School. Combined these enroll over 150 participants per session.

606 Trail Ambassadors

Youth from the program work as part of the 606 Trail Ambassadors program. As part of the outreach efforts of the trail where "young adults talk to people walking and cycling along The 606 elevated trail about features of the trail and park system and etiquette tips, as well as hand out educational bike literature."[6]

The Trust for Public Land with the help of West Town Bikes has installed self-service bike repair stations along the 606 trail. [7]

Cycle Cross Team

The Cycle Cross Team competes in the Junior CX league as part of the (Chicago Cross Cup). The team is currently sponsored by Half Acre Brewery.

References
  1. "Streets Blog". Streetsblog.ort. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  2. "Alex Wilson, founder and director of West Town Bikes". thechainlink.org/.
  3. "Chicago bike shop helps build community". abc7chicago.com/. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. "Girls Bike Club Gets Ready For the Spotlight at Youth Bike Summit". streetsblog.org. Retrieved Feb 3, 2014.
  5. "West Town Bikes' Girls Bike Club goes on the road". activetrans.org. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  6. "Community bike shops keep cyclists rolling during the pandemic". activetrans.org. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  7. "The 606 Gets Bike Repair Stations". dnainfo.com. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
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