Getting riders back in the saddle

Volunteer-run shop repairs bikes — and teaches cyclists how to — for free

Advertisement

Advertise with us

On a Sunday afternoon in mid-December, when most Winnipeggers aren’t thinking about cycling, Jacques Gross is at the Bike Dump, replacing the rear axle on a black and purple mountain bike.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/01/2025 (242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On a Sunday afternoon in mid-December, when most Winnipeggers aren’t thinking about cycling, Jacques Gross is at the Bike Dump, replacing the rear axle on a black and purple mountain bike.

As he discards a broken part, the 24-year-old amuses himself by singing to it a song by English musician James Blunt.

“Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend,” he croons.

Bike Dump volunteers Chris Chypyha (from left), Sarah Furgale, Francis Liwanag and Jacques Gross in the workshop. (John Woods / Free Press)
Bike Dump volunteers Chris Chypyha (from left), Sarah Furgale, Francis Liwanag and Jacques Gross in the workshop. (John Woods / Free Press)

Gross got involved at the volunteer-run, community bicycle shop shortly after moving to Winnipeg last May.

Before stepping into the space, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Logan Avenue at the back of the Red Road Lodge, he didn’t know what a community bicycle shop was.

He expected that becoming a volunteer would require “a bunch of red tape,” but that was not the case.

“I just showed up and kept showing up,” he says. “Since (May), I’ve been confident enough to expand my knowledge … I feel there aren’t many things on a bike I can’t fix now.”

Being a welcoming space that is accessible to everyone is what the Bike Dump is all about. Founded in 2005, the shop offers access to tools and a space where people can fix their bikes, free of charge.

It is staffed by a non-hierarchical group of volunteers who help visitors with their repairs. The Bike Dump also offers repair workshops and sells refurbished bicycles on a sliding scale.

“Volunteers come in with all different skill levels, including zero,” says Edward Cloud, 52, who has been involved for more than 10 years.

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers needs new board members with diverse backgrounds and experiences and a strong commitment to advancing the organization’s mission. The time commitment is two to four hours monthly, with 10 meetings a year, both in person and online. The roles involve supporting the organization’s events and might include fundraising contributions. Send a resumé and statement of interest to communications@winnipegscontemporarydancers.ca by Feb. 28.

The Manitoba Band Association needs volunteers for its Jazz Band Festival, which dates back to 1976. It’s happening at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. Numerous volunteer opportunities are available for people 16 and older. Go to wfp.to/AbM for descriptions of all positions and to apply, or email coordinator@mbband.org by Feb. 28.

Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Move co-ordinators, who work remotely, are also needed to plan and co-ordinate the details of a move and provide on-call support that day. Must be 18 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Jan. 30.

Buhler Gallery, located inside St. Boniface Hospital, needs ambassadors to help people access and enjoy it. Volunteers welcome visitors, provide information about exhibitions, participate in orientations, meet artists and undertake various gallery tasks. Fluency in English is essential, while fluency in French is an asset. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca by Jan. 31.

Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer needs board members. The grassroots organization holds monthly meetings via Teams. Apply at wfp.to/Cbj or info@helpinghands4mbwbc.com by June 30.

The Manitoba Choral Association needs volunteers for the annual MB Sings. Roles for the event, which is happening Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, include setting up registration, managing merchandise, and supporting conductors and choristers. Responsibilities involve supervising the lunchroom, serving meals, helping with ticket sales and ushering. Volunteers should be friendly, have music or sales experience and be organized. They must also be able to stand for long periods of time and walk long distances, as some positions require volunteers to be seated for lengthy periods. Lunch and supper will be provided to full-day volunteers. Apply at wfp.to/AIS by Jan. 22.

A & O: Support Services for Older Adults needs volunteers for its Connect program. The program offers social companionship to older adults through in-person visits. Volunteers must commit to at least one hour a week in the morning, afternoon or evening, be 55 or older and have a clear criminal record. Apply at wfp.to/AFt or 204-956-6440 by Jan. 31.

Festival du Voyageur needs volunteers for Western Canada’s largest winter celebration, which is happening from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23 at Whittier Park. Volunteers will help create memorable experiences, greet visitors, support artists and ensure smooth operations. No experience is necessary, and training will be provided, so anyone with enthusiasm can help. Volunteers will enjoy exclusive perks. Apply at wfp.to/AaH by Feb. 10.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.

Volunteers who are new to bike repair might spend their first shifts watching and listening; others might spend 90 minutes on their own exploring some small repair on one of the many bikes waiting to be refurbished.

“We have a lot of good education happening in this space,” Cloud says.

Across from Gross, Sarah Furgale is working on a blue 10-speed. As a result of an injured hip, the 52-year-old can’t cycle as much as she’d like. Fixing bikes is the next best thing.

“I still want to be involved in bike culture, so I thought that this would be a good way for me to do that,” says Furgale, who has volunteered at the Bike Dump since April.

“I like helping people fix their bikes,” she says. “Sometimes we get some people who are at risk or who really rely on their bikes. And so to be able to help them with something small, it’s been really rewarding.”

The shop is looking for additional volunteer mechanics. People of all abilities are encouraged to get involved.

“We get some people who are at risk or who really rely on their bikes. And so to be able to help them with something small, it’s been really rewarding.”– Sarah Furgale

Additionally, women and queer-identifying people are invited to consider volunteering so the Bike Dump can restart its Monday-night shift where women, queer and trans people who may feel uncomfortable during the shop’s regular hours can stop by and repair their bikes.

The shop is also looking to add a day-time shift where volunteers would strip parts off of unrepairable bikes and possibly build bikes for sale. A senior mechanic would be there to assist and teach.

To get involved, visit bike-dump.ca/volunteering or email winnipegbikedump@gmail.com.

There’s a lot of history at the Bike Dump, says volunteer Chris Chypyha, 60, with a lot of great people and amazing tools.

“Maybe it seems like a little bit of anarchy,” he says, “but the shop is actually well run.”

If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Local

LOAD MORE