Freehub Community Bike Centre keeps cyclists pedalling this summer

Flat tires are a fact of life for cyclists. But not everyone knows how to fix them.

With the right tools, the Freehub Community Bike Centre in Guelph wants to show cyclists how easy these bike repairs can be.

“We see a lot of flat tires. We teach people how to patch tubes and we have spare tubes here. Many people don’t even know that’s an option,” said Freehub Community Bike Centre volunteer Adam Zgraja.

“People also bring in their bikes to adjust derailers. This is usually needed after hearing a grinding noise coming from your bike. You can make some adjustments with some basic tools."

Whether it's changing tires or fixing brakes, Zgraja says these repairs can all be done with tools people already have at home.

"And that’s what we do. We show people how to do it.”

Freehub Community Bike Centre is a do-it-yourself, volunteer-run, donation-funded program that operates in the Guelph Tool Library’s Old Quebec Street Shoppes location that supports local cyclists and to inspire a culture of repair and reuse.

Anyone is welcome to visit, access a repair stand, common bike tools and replacement parts, as well as get assistance from volunteer mechanics.

Since the Freehub began operating in April, the number of visitors continues to rise, especially during the popular summer cycling months.

“Since opening, people are really stoked and excited. They come in with one problem, but often discover there’s more than one issue. So we encourage them to come back if there is not enough time,” Zgraja said.

“But we are very busy. We use this space every shift and that’s what we want to see. It’s still new but are trying to build awareness and advertising.”

To get the word out, Freehub Community Bike Centre volunteers have attended various community events including the Guelph bike month launch in June and Hillside Music Festival.

“And we work closely with the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT) regarding sustainable transportation. These have all been great opportunities to get the word out,” Zgraja said.

The freehub had also recently partnered with the city’s ReCycle Bike Reuse Program. Bikes are dropped off to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre, are repaired, and then donated to community members who need them.

This year, Freehub volunteers worked with the city to prepare bikes to be given away.

“We looked at all the bikes and tagged them, so we knew what needed to be done, and then we repaired them. We made ourselves available on the day that the bikes were given away at the West End Rec Centre,” said volunteer Matt Manassis.

“It was great to be able to help out.”

The freehub is no ordinary free bike repair space at the Guelph Tool Library. It offers an educational space too.

“I’ve been involved since the very start, because for me, it's really great to have a space where you can teach people. That’s the main goal,” Zgraja said.

“We are ‘do it yourself’ positive. We will show you how do something, and most people want to learn.”

Zgraja started taking an interest in repairing bikes about six years ago.

‘For me, if I wanted to own them, I wanted to know how to fix them. I didn’t want to rely on shops, even they can be very helpful," Zgraja said.

“I enjoy the community aspect, trying to grow the community and getting people involved. Also, I enjoy spreading the knowledge."

There are currently about 10 volunteers at the Freehub Community Bike Centre.

“We are here three nights a week with two people working each shift,” Zgraja said.

For anyone interested, you don’t have to be an exceptional bike mechanic to volunteer at the Freehub.

“You can have any skill level. Obviously, you should be able to do a couple of things, but you don’t have to be able to do everything,” Zgraja said.

“We rely on one another and we learn from each other.”

Manassis has also been a volunteer at the Freehub from the start.

“For me, it’s been really great to get to know other people who are interested in the same aspects of biking as I am, and in using bikes as a primary mode of transportation,” he said.

“It’s been a great way to connect with other people. And I really like sharing knowledge and teaching. And it’s been very rewarding to see out volunteers improve their mechanical skills in very short time, myself included.”

During the summer months, the freehub is open Tuesdays from 5:30 –toi 7 p.m., Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m.

“This is also a great opportunity for kids. We've talked about getting involved with the area high schools and other organizations in the future,” Zgraja said.

“And the hope to may be to offer some workshops as well.”

The freehub relies on monetary donations to operate. Visitors are encouraged to bring a $5-$10 cash donation if possible. Alternately, people can donate online.

"We are hoping for a permanent workspace where we don’t have to set up and tear down after every shift,” Manassis said.

“It would be great to have the ability to keep some bicycles here, to work on them, and then to get more people on bikes. That is the goal.”

Volunteers with any level of experience are invited to help out at the freehub. Anyone interested can send an email to [email protected] or visit the Quebec Street location for more information.

“The freehub can help get more people out cycling. I know that cycling has really improved my life,” Manassis said.

“And now having this in the community, I’d like to help others have that too.”