Since opening in June 2013, the Community Bike Kitchen has thrived as a hands-on workshop – providing tools, space and mechanics’ knowledge for bike repair and also volunteer opportunities to earn a new set of wheels. But really the bike kitchen is more than just bikes – sharing space, learning from each other and creating community is what brings us together each week at the kitchen. Our dedicated volunteers have led the way in creating this community space.

Here’s an update on what is going on in the bike kitchen in the new year!

• Screen-printed shirts and cycling jerseys with the bike kitchen logo are available for purchase at the bike kitchen! Shirts are available for $10 and all proceeds benefit the bike kitchen

• Help support the bike kitchen as we move into a new space in 2016 on the Jefferson Community Center campus. Cash and material donations are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsorship with local non-profit Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA). Stop by the bike kitchen during open hours to make a donation or a check can be written to RCAA with Bike Kitchen in the memo field and sent to RCAA 904 G Street, Eureka, CA 95501

• Bike Kitchen Member Profile – Kelly Lager is an Army veteran who served during the Post-Vietnam era from 1975 – 1978 as a heavy equipment operator. Today he enjoys riding his bike and has a better knowledge of the mechanics of bikes and how they properly function because of a flier he saw that brought him to the Bike Kitchen. Before that he had a very simple, basic knowledge of how to repair bikes. Since he walked in and started volunteering 14 months ago he has built four bikes from the frame up and salvaged two others. All six were sold and have brought in the type of funds that help keep the kitchen going.
  
  Kelly says, “The idea of a bike kitchen is a very good concept for the simple reason that it gives the community of bike riders a place where they can go to learn how to repair their bicycles – discarding the myth of thinking that you have to discard the old one.” Kelly also remarks, “The bike kitchen is in a good location and very accessible. You don’t need a lot of money. For those who are not mechanically inclined it is well supervised with certified mechanics, who also volunteer their time, and well-stocked with an abundance of parts and tools.” You can find Kelly volunteering each Tuesday and Wednesday and see him in action in the back of the kitchen.

• Have an old bike, tools or parts to donate? The Community Bike Kitchen gladly accepts donations during open hours or you can send an email to eurekacommunitybikekitchen@gmail.com or call (707) 269-2061 for more information.

The Community Bike Kitchen celebrates 2 years of spreading the love of bicycles in Eureka 

How the time has flown by! Eureka’s local bike kitchen first opened in June 2013 as a place where people could learn bike maintenance skills and find low-cost or no-cost used bicycles. For the past two years, the bike kitchen has thrived as a hands-on workshop – providing tools, space and mechanics’ knowledge for bike repair and providing volunteer opportunities to earn a new set of wheels.

We couldn’t have gotten this far without the dedication of dozens of committed volunteers, community partners and generous foundations including the Jefferson Community Center, Adventure’s Edge, Humboldt State University Police Department, Eureka Police Department, New Belgium Brewing Company, the Northern California Grassroots Fund of the Rose Foundation, Humboldt Area Foundation and numerous individuals.

There continues to be numerous opportunities to get involved in the bike kitchen – stop by during open hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6-8pm to volunteer, or contact the bike kitchen at 707-269-2061 if you are interested in donating or lending your bike-wrenching skills.

Ride on!
– The Community Bike Kitchen Steering Committee