South Osborne Bike Hub fosters cycling culture in Lord Roberts

South Osborne

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This article was published 30/08/2023 (764 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The bike mechanics at South Osborne Bike Hub won’t fix your misaligned derailleur hanger or flat tire, but they will put the right tools in your hand and guide you through the repair.

South Osborne Bike Hub’s mandate is to empower people to repair, maintain and even build their own bikes. It also strives to reduce barriers to getting more people on bikes by operating with a do-it-yourself model funded by donations and grants.

“We don’t have fixed rates,” said Zachariah Braga, lead mechanic at South Osborne Bike Hub. “We ask people to make donations. Some people are really generous, but others can’t afford to pay.”

Last summer, one boy couldn’t afford to buy a bike, but he started showing up several times a week to learn how to fix bikes.

“I told him if you build a bike, you can have it,” said Braga.

By the end of the summer, the boy was zipping around Lord Roberts on his BMX bike.

“You could tell he was so proud of his accomplishment,” said Braga. “He even told his brother and his friends about his experience, and they, too, started coming around the shop.”

The South Osborne Bike Hub is one of the Lord Roberts Community Centre’s most successful programs. One of the accomplishments Jason Kelly, vice-president of LRCC, is most proud of is how the Bike Hub was able to get so many people on bikes during the pandemic.

“Our biggest success story to date is how many people we were able to introduce to cycling during a really stressful time,” said Kelly.

Cycling culture continues to flourish in Lord Roberts. Many kids ride their bikes to school, and you can see commuters riding to work during the weekdays even during the winter.

If you’ve been meaning to get the bottom of poor shifting or squeaky brakes, it’s not too late.

The Bike Hub maintains regular business hour during the summer and stays open late on Wednesday for the South Osborne Farmers’ Market, which is also located at 725 Kylemore Ave.

As with last summer, Braga received regular visits from a group of youth keen on learning how to fix bikes — and they’ll be a new group next summer.

The Bike Hub did stay open last winter, but funding has not yet been confirmed. During fall and winter, be sure to check the hours on Google before coming down.