Ride Into Spring with The Bike Depot
Nonprofit Spoke Shop Celebrates Six Years In Park Hill
By Ryan Schutz
Most Park Hill residents know The Bike Depot as a bike shop on 28th and Fairfax where you can get a good deal on a tune-up or a refurbished bike, but it is much more than that.
The Park Hill Bike Depot is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that has promoted and supported bike riding in Park Hill since 2008. The Depot has recycled more than 5,000 bicycles and provided nearly 3,000 bikes to people through programs that promote bike safety, self-sufficiency, and volunteerism in the community.
Putting bikes into the hands of people who need them and giving riders the confidence to keep their bikes rolling is at the heart of what The Bike Depot does in Park Hill. The Depot meets its mission first and foremost by providing access to low cost, high quality bikes and bike service through the retail store. Bikes for sale at The Bike Depot are donated by the public, refurbished by professional bike mechanics, and sold for one-third to one-half of their original price. Proceeds from bike sales and bike service are reinvested into the community through the shop’s programs.
People who cannot or choose not to buy a bike from The Bike Depot can receive a donated bike through the Earn-a-Bike and Bike Rodeo programs. Kids can earn a bike through Bike Rodeos, where they are given a basic bike safety course along with their refurbished bike. Bike Rodeo graduates can trade up for a bigger bike when they outgrow their old one.
The Earn-a-Bike program allows adults to earn their wheels by attending a training on basic bike safety and maintenance, volunteering for three hours with any of The Bike Depot’s 26 nonprofit partners, and participating in a three-hour session to refurbish their earned bike with the guidance of skilled volunteer mechanics. It is a fun and educational experience that gives participants a strong sense of ownership for their bike and the confidence to take care of it. All earned bikes come with a helmet and lock to keep bikes and riders safe.
The Bike Depot also seeks to build community around biking through events and education. Summer Bike Camp is in its third year of offering two-week sessions in which kids ages 7-14 can have fun riding bikes, learning about bike mechanics, and developing leadership skills through daily activities. This year The Depot is able to offer more Bike Camp sessions through partnerships with The Denver Green School and Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver.
Adults can join the fun on a bike ride or at any of The Depot’s classes, which range from basic bike mechanics to advanced bike touring. Also look for special events like the upcoming Park Hill Garden Ride on Saturday, June 14, where The Bike Depot will be offering free bike rentals and a guided ride to Park Hill Garden Walk participants.
Park Hill residents can support The Bike Depot’s efforts through a variety of volunteer opportunities, by donating a bike to be refurbished, or by simply shopping at The Depot. Volunteers are given a basic orientation and opportunities for advanced training along with a benefits program that offers discounts and social perks. Bike donations, and donations of any kind, are tax deductible and fuel The Depot’s mission to make Park Hill a healthier, happier place to ride your bike.
Ryan Schutz is the executive director of The Bike Depot. He can be reached at info@thebikedepot.org.
Cycle Tip of the Month
Check your tire pressure before every ride. Underinflated tires wear out quickly, are prone to flats, and make your bike feel sluggish. If you do add air to your tires, don’t just inflate them to the maximum pressure. High tire pressure can result in a rough ride and poor traction. Find the sweet spot by inflating your tires to 80 percent of the maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire.