Bike Walk Tompkins recently purchased a heavy-duty bike stand, thanks to a grant awarded by Sustainable Finger Lakes through its Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program. The new equipment will support the organization’s growing efforts to expand access to bicycle and e-bike repair in the community.
As more Ithacans turn to e-bikes as an alternative to cars for transportation, the need for e-bike repair becomes greater. Traditional bike shops are reluctant to repair e-bikes, since they require special tools, including heavier-duty stands. Bike Walk Tompkins, now known as Swamp City Community Cycles, provides the only place in Ithaca where community members can access basic e-bike repair and learn about how to maintain their e-bike. Laurence Clarkberg, former owner of Boxy Bikes, held an informative e-bike first-time buyer class to help participants better understand their equipment and maintenance needs.
One attendee shared: “I already have an e-bike but know very little about it and the brakes, which concerned me. Between volunteering and hearing Tom describe the different types of disc brakes to a customer and Laurence’s talk, I feel more knowledgeable and have more resources.”
Another participant added, “What a great and open team! So many opportunities to learn, get involved in the local community, and I especially appreciate the social opportunities that are added to the programming in addition to the open shops and more regularly scheduled programs. It is important to help the community AND to get to know the members in the community as well.”
To learn more about how the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program can help you turn a community project idea into reality, visit: https://sustainablefingerlakes.org/neighborhood-mini-grant-program/
