Residents are invited to kick off cycling season this weekend as La Bikerquerie opens its doors for another year of community bike repairs, family activities, and affordable cycling support.
The season opener takes place May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and founder Wade Wiebe says visitors can expect plenty to see and do throughout the day.
“We’ve been working over the winter stockpiling bikes that are used bikes that had been donated, and then we fix them up and sell them to raise funds for our nonprofit.”
Additionally, he says there will be free hotdogs and drinks, activities for kids, and free bike tune-ups and instructions at the La Bikequerie garage located at 36016 MB-52, off of Hirschfeld Road.
A hands-on approach to bike repairs
Wiebe says La Bikerquerie operates differently from a traditional bike shop because the focus is on teaching people how to repair their own bikes.
“It’s a community bike repair shop. So, it’s not the kind of place where you come and drop off your bike and then pick it up the next day or whatever with the work done. You come with your own bike and you’re willing to get your hands dirty.”
He says volunteers will be on hand to help guide people through repairs, especially those who are new to bike maintenance.
“We charge $10 an hour for stand time. And again, that’s just to keep the lights on. We have all the tools that you could possibly need unless you’re doing really high-end stuff. But even at that, we have some volunteers who are experienced in hydraulic brakes and all this too.”
Encouraging more people to ride
According to Wiebe, the organization’s larger goal is to make cycling more accessible and help keep older bikes on the road.
“Sometimes it can cost as much money to fix a bike as it would to buy a new one. We like the idea of repairing some of the bikes that are already out there, which actually a lot of the old bikes are sometimes better quality than a new entry-level bike. So, getting those bikes back on the road is a win for everybody.”
He says cycling has continued to grow in popularity over recent years, not only as a way to save money, but because people genuinely enjoy it.
“Once you do it, especially early in the morning, it’s the best way to show up at work, having had some exercise and fresh air and you feel ready to go. It’s better than a cup of coffee. I can tell you that.”
Wiebe adds that cycling infrastructure has also improved significantly over time.
“For example, there are more dedicated bike lanes, especially Winnipeg is going a long way in that direction. Steinbach is too. I would say that the real answer is because it’s fun. Like it really is.”
Related Stories:
Common bike problems
One of the most common issues La Bikerquerie sees involves worn-out cables.
“Cables are a consumable item on a bike and sometimes people don’t realize that. They just get old. They get rusty and the brakes start getting sticky. We wonder why that might be, and it’s just because the cables are rusty and need to be replaced. At La Bikeqerie, it’s a $4 part.”
Family Bike Jam returns later this month
La Bikerquerie is also preparing for the return of the Family Bike Jam later in May.
“We partner with Strong Town Steinbach. We’ve done this for the last three years, and every year we have more people coming out. It’s just a slow, easy ride. Everybody’s welcome, all ages.”
Wiebe says the event takes place Saturday, May 30 at 6:45 p.m., beginning at E.A. Friesen Park beside the Jake Epp Library.
“It’s just a great way to see Steinbach and to go down paths that you can’t access with a car. Sometimes we’ll take back ways and in ways that some people have never been even if they living in Steinbach for a long time.”
Details about La Bikequerie and upcoming events can be found on their website at labike.ca.
With files from Carly Koop