Mike Basehart, a member of the Colville Rotary in Washington State, stands with the handy Bike Repair Station the Rotary Club installed at the local library
A Bike Repair Station can literally provide the tools a community or club might need to promote bicycling in their town.
It's the old adage, "Build it and they will come."
In the case of cycling, build a bicycle infrastructure and cyclists will use it. And local residents will tend to consider using their bikes to get around town instead of their cars.
That's why the Rotary Club of Colville, WA, decided to not only add outdoor bike racks to the local library, but they went one step further and installed a Bike Repair Station as well.
"I think the repair stand is great," said Lynn O'Connor, District 5080 secretary. "The library folks said people really use it."
Of course, they do. A Bike Repair Station offers so many items to keep bicycles tuned up and every cyclist is bound to find some tool they love and need.
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"I think the repair stand is great," said Lynn O'Connor, District 5080 secretary. "The library folks said people really use it."
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Bike repair station includes tethered tool kit
Let's talk about those features.
The Rotary Club purchased a "Deluxe Public Work Stand" from the Park and Facilities Catalog. This is the Cadillac of bike repair stations.
The product comes with:
- Phillips screwdrivers (tools are tethered to the stand with retractable aircraft-grade steel cables)
This Deluxe Public Bike Repair Station is THE ultimate repair stand with tools, air pump, air gauge and bike support - Standard screwdrivers
- Two steel core tire levers
- Torx T-25 tool set
- Hex Key tool set
- Cone wrenches
- Manual air pump
- Air gauge
Since the station will be out in the elements 24 hours a day, every day, a tough powder coat finish is applied. That coating is UV and weather resistant.
The tools supplied come in a large array to repair just about every type of bike on the market.
There is also room to add a custom logo.
Rotary promotes bike rides to raise funds to fight polio
Coville Rotary Club added their logo to let the community know about the great civic projects that the local organization is involved in.
"The reason our club has embraced (bicycling) is because there are many cyclists in our club," Lynn said. "We've got such excellent cycling up here in NE Washington. We're using that as an economic development platform as well as promoting the health aspects."
That sounds like a win-win situation for the community. For one, a solid bicycle infrastructure such as protected bike lanes, outdoor bicycle parking and amenities such as the bike repair station make the community more attractive to employers and employees.
More Americans own bicycles today than ever. Some call cycling the "new golf." Millennials love to bicycle.
According to Statista, more than 60 million Americans said they have bicycled in the past 12 months.
As for the health benefit - there's no disputing that riding a bike is certainly healthier than sitting in car. Studies have consistently shown that bicycling tones muscles, lowers stress, builds stronger bones and lowers blood pressure.
The more residents in a town that bicycle, the healthier the town will be (and will cause less drag and costs on the health care system.)
Speaking of health, one of Rotary International's primary missions has always been to eradicate polio around the world. This is a big undertaking. But it's necessary, because polio is still a deadly disease in many countries.
With the theme "The Ride to End Polio," events are held annually around the globe to attract cyclists and raise millions of dollars to fight this disease.
The Rotary Club in Colville conducts eight organized rides, and participates along with other clubs in the monster event called the WACANID. That huge ride covers a six-day, 370-mile loop of northeast Washington, British Colombia and Idaho.
Like many civic organizations, many times the public doesn't see all the time, effort and fundraising these local clubs put into making their communities a better place to live.
But with the highly visible bicycle repair station and bike racks, local residents can really see firsthand (and use) the contributions the club is making to the town. We're sure those amenities are greatly appreciated.
Every time a cyclist tightens up a chain or fills their tires on the Bike Repair Station, it's a reminder there are people out there who do care and work hard to make their town a better place to live.