Nick Kubasti came to Bike Works as a 13 year old looking for a summer bike trip to go on. That year our Bike Touring 101 summer camp took us to the San Juan Islands and Nick and eight other youth rode from island to island sharing stories and learning about the world around them and how to bike tour. Nick barely spoke the first few days but came into his own by the end of the camp, exhibiting an intelligence and sense of humor that showed he belonged at Bike Works and was going to fit in well here. After moving through the earn-a-bike class levels, going on longer tours (including the Olympic Loop, several Leadership trips, and the Oregon Coast), helping to instruct younger youth in bike touring camps, teaching our Earn-a-Bike classes and overall becoming a top tier Bicycle Leader – Nick was asked to join our Board of Directors as the Youth Representative. He has served on our Board for the last year while finishing high school at Garfield and next year Nick starts college back east in Boston and will be taking all he has learned here and head into the "real world". We are incredibly proud of Nick, of how he has grown as a person over the years, and are super appreciative for all of the time and work he has given us here at the BW. We wish him the best as he heads east and away. And remember you don't ever really leave Bike Works, so stay in touch and return west as soon as possible!
EARN-A-BIKE
Since 1996 we have been teaching students ages 9 to 17 the basics of bicycle mechanics. In an eight week series of classes the youth learn the basics of bike repair and practice this work on recycled bikes that will be given to other community organizations. Once they have accrued enough community service hours doing bike repair they are able to pick out and rebuild their very own bike! If they already have a bike, they can use these hours to earn their own bike parts and accessories, or to earn a bike for someone else. Once a student has successfully completed the classes, they can continue to come to Earn-a-Bike Drop-In sessions (for free!) until they turn 18. Graduated students are also eligible to use their time at Bike Works towards Seattle Public School community service requirements.
For many of our students, Earn-a-Bike is the only way they can afford to get a bike. We teach 150 students a year in these classes, and roughly half of those youth go on to complete enough community service hours to ride off into the sunset on a new bike - and with a new helmet and lock! Others spend their time keeping their own bike in repair, or working to earn cool parts and accessories for their existing ride.
Classes start quarterly throughout the school year. If you are interested in signing up for EAB, please email Programs with your name, birth date, phone number and mailing address. You will receive a registration form in the mail as soon as classes open for registration.
Classes Beginning Repair
The basics of bike repair: Fix a flat, basic overhauls and maintenance. Youth can earn a BMX bike with the completion of enough community service hours.
Intermediate Repair
Completion of the Beginning Class is strongly recommended for this course. If you are 11 or older and feel qualified, please contact us for approval. This class covers more complex bike repair and allows youth to earn a geared bicycle.
Advanced Repair
Must have completed the Int. Class, earned a bike and attended drop-in. A solid knowledge of basic bike repair is essential for this class as you will learn advanced systems. Great step into the bicycle leaders program!
Upcoming Class Details
Fall EAB Session
TUES: ALL BOY REPAIR CLASS (9-17): Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00pm Sept. 24th – Nov. 12th (8 Sessions)
WED: ALL GIRL REPAIR CLASS (9-17):
Wednesdays, 4:00-6:00pm
Sept. 25th – Nov. 13th (8 Sessions)
All program fees and deposits are nonrefundable. In the event that a student needs to withdraw from a course they have already paid for, every attempt will be made to place them in the next available course, if possible and at the discretion of the Program Director
