West Town Bikes expands more than its walls

By Cynthia Spreadbury

West Town Bikes, the unique nonprofit bicycle workshop – and now bike shop – is settling into its new location and has expanded more than just its walls.

West Town Bikes is reaching 300 youth this summer through seven programs throughout the city, including at the organization’s new location at 2459 W Division Street in Chicago’s vibrant Paseo Boricua, an area heavily influenced by rich Puerto Rican culture.

At the new location West Town Bikes has opened a bike shop along with its learning workshop. The bike shop, Ciclo Urbano, has a storefront that shows its continued dedication to cultural and community outreach.

The name itself reflects the surrounding Puerto Rican neighborhood, and the exterior wall is painted with a mural illustrating Puerto Rican politics and culture. West Town Bikes takes part in community programs and events, like Hoops in the Hood, by offering free bike repair and maintenance to attendees. Coupled with its strong partnership with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, West Town Bikes hopes to become a staple in the Paseo Boricua neighborhood

West Town Bikes works to promote bicycling in Chicago by focusing on youth in underserved neighborhoods.

“[We are] teaching them skills like safe cycling, bike mechanics and repair, the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle, and environmental responsibility,” said Sarah Miller, program manager at West Town Bikes.

In addition to these youth programs, West Town has developed many other school and community programs, such as its program with Ames Middle School, sponsored by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. This program also focuses on mechanics and safe cycling instruction but is unique in that it is offered as part of the curriculum during normal school hours as an optional course.

“We view teens as assets, not liabilities,” Miller said.

She encourages teens in the program to learn responsibility by teaching them to view cycling as a form of independent transportation and become self-reliant through knowledge of bike safety and maintenance.

“The kids see former students of the programs working at West Town Bikes and that there is a ladder of opportunity.” She also encourages professionalism and career planning by helping the students in the programs build their resumes.

Visit Ciclo Urbano at 2459 W. Division Street or take a look at some of the bike shop classes West Town Bikes offers at www.westtownbikes.org.

Cynthia Spreadbury is a ModeShift contributor.