Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba.
Volunteer-run shop repairs bikes — and teaches cyclists how to — for free
Getting riders back in the saddle
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/01/13/getting-riders-bac...
ON a Sunday afternoon in mid-December, when most Winnipeggers aren’t thinking about cycling, Jacques Gross is at the Bike Dump, replacing the rear axle on a black and purple mountain bike.
As he discards a broken part, the 24-year-old amuses himself by singing to it a song by English musician James Blunt.
“Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend,” he croons.
Gross got involved at the volunteer- run, community bicycle shop shortly after moving to Winnipeg last May.
Before stepping into the space, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Logan Avenue at the back of the Red Road Lodge, he didn’t know what a community bicycle shop was.
He expected that becoming a volunteer would require “a bunch of red tape,” but that was not the case.
“I just showed up and kept showing up,” he says. “Since (May), I’ve been confident enough to expand my knowledge … I feel there aren’t many things on a bike I can’t fix now.”
Being a welcoming space that is accessible to everyone is what the Bike Dump is all about. Founded in 2005, the shop offers access to tools and a space where people can fix their bikes, free of charge.
It is staffed by a non-hierarchical group of volunteers who help visitors with their repairs. The Bike Dump also offers repair workshops and sells refurbished bicycles on a sliding scale.
“Volunteers come in with all different skill levels, including zero,” says Edward Cloud, 52, who has been involved for more than 10 years.
Volunteers who are new to bike repair might spend their first shifts watching and listening; others might spend 90 minutes on their own exploring some small repair on one of the many bikes waiting to be refurbished.
“We have a lot of good education happening in this space,” Cloud says.
Across from Gross, Sarah Furgale is working on a blue 10-speed. As a result of an injured hip, the 52-year-old can’t cycle as much as she’d like. Fixing bikes is the next best thing.
“I still want to be involved in bike culture, so I thought that this would be a good way for me to do that,” says Furgale, who has volunteered at the Bike Dump since April.
“I like helping people fix their bikes,” she says. “Sometimes we get some people who are at risk or who really rely on their bikes. And so to be able to help them with something small, it’s been really rewarding.”
The shop is looking for additional volunteer mechanics. People of all abilities are encouraged to get involved.
Additionally, women and queer-identifying people are invited to consider volunteering so the Bike Dump can restart its Monday-night shift where women, queer and trans people who may feel uncomfortable during the shop’s regular hours can stop by and repair their bikes.
The shop is also looking to add a day-time shift where volunteers would strip parts off of unrepairable bikes and possibly build bikes for sale. A senior mechanic would be there to assist and teach.
To get involved, visit bike-dump.ca/ volunteering or email winnipegbikedump@ gmail.com. There’s a lot of history at the Bike Dump, says volunteer Chris Chypyha, 60, with a lot of great people and amazing tools.
“Maybe it seems like a little bit of anarchy,” he says, “but the shop is actually well run.”
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.camailto:aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.