New outdoor bike repair station on greenway

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/New-outdoor-bike-repair-station-on-greenway--432355493.html

Cyclists in Winnipeg who enjoy life in the saddle now have even more reason to get their fix.

Two new outdoor bike repair stations were opened recently, one donated by Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) and one donated by Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry).

The station donated by Mayes was officially opened on June 20 in St. Vital on the Bishop Grandin Greenway and the Dakota/Dunkirk Pathway at the northeast corner of Bishop Grandin Boulevard and Dakota Street, while the station donated by Gerbasi officially opened on June 22 in West Broadway at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre at 187 Young St.

Mayes said he became motivated to support the creation of the station after Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) supported one in her ward last year. He said the station will serve the hundreds of cyclists that use the greenway on a daily basis.

The stations are made in Manitoba by Rackworks, and they provide cyclists with free access to a variety of tools necessary to perform basic bike repair and maintenance.

The stations consist of an air pump, and a repair stand that includes a selection of tools such as screwdrivers, levers, and wrenches that are attached to the stand by wires.

"The whole idea is that there’s help if you have an issue with your bike," said key organizer Currie Gillespie of Rackworks, an avid cyclist and St. Vital resident, at the opening ceremony.

"You might need air in your tires, or your seat might be slipping, or your handlebars need tightening up. There are more than 15 commonly-used tools here, and the stand is designed for all bikes."

Gillespie is not only encouraging community members to enjoy the station, but also to help ensure it remains in good working order.

"It’s a community repair stand, and it’s here for the community, so if somebody vandalizes it, it takes away the ability of the community to use it. If someone sees any vandalism, they can contact us at Rackworks," Gillespie said.

He said the greenway and the many interconnecting bike paths and active transportation trails in the south end of the city are a massive boon.

"The south end of the city is the best part of the city for cycling," he said. "For example, I can ride from my house in St. Vital to The Forks without playing with traffic."

Mayes added the location of the repair station is a perfect one in light of the volume of bicycle traffic.

"It fits in with the greenway, and it’s at the intersection of two main bike routes, so it’s a great place to do it. Currie has been great with this," he said.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com