Bike Stable presents Open Road's zen of bicycle maintenance

When adults attend the programs sponsored by Open Roads where they teach bicycle maintenance to youngsters the grownups often say they wish they had a chance to learn the same thing.

 

Now they can. Ethan Alexander, who heads up Open Roads, has teamed up the the Bike Stable of the office of Sustainability at WMU to offer Zen and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance. The $125 course is Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the the Bike Stable, 2529 W. Michigan Ave. 

 

Open Roads has been teaching social skills and bike mechanic skills to youth for the past five years. "We're always putting out feelers to see what people need and what we've heard from a lot of adults is 'I wish I knew how to work on a bike,'" Alexander says. 

 

The class that will be offered is for those of all skill levels--from those who might be the ability to hold a wrench to those who are looking for more advanced techniques for maintaining their bicycle. 

 

Through its program Open Roads teaches respect, own your actions by telling someone when you do something great, attitudes counts so stay positive, discipline as in finish what you started and safety or wear a helmet.

"This is not only for kids but for adults. Our experience is that the positive focus leads to success," Alexander says.

 

The Bike Stable, which is hosting the event, is the Office for Sustainability’s clearinghouse for non-motorized transportation education, advocacy, and policy efforts. It leads workshops, group rides, guided tours, weekly open shop nights, and research.