The Bike Shack is a fully-equipped, no-or-low cost community bike repair shop and the hub of a bicycle Renaissance at Lynchburg College, according to professor of mathematics Dr. Kevin Peterson, who led the project.
“This is so cool,” said Naomi Tice ’14, who borrowed a bike to get to her waitressing job at My Favorite Things. Naomi returned the bike after buying a used bike for herself. Dr. Mike Coco, associate professor of mathematics, gave it a tune-up to be sure it was safe.
Dr. Peterson hopes that more students will adopt a bicycle ethic to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health. He also hopes students will learn to repair their own bikes.
The Bike Shack also accepts donated bicycles that can be repaired and put to good use. Several faculty and staff have already donated bikes. Students can work in The Bike Shack for five hours to earn a bicycle or just pay $75 for one.
Dr. Peterson used funds from the Natural Resources Committee and from Dean John Eccles to get the shop up and running.
Dr. Peterson, Dr. Coco, and Brian Kane, sciences laboratory coordinator, are the backbone of the operation and all serious bike riders. Dr. Coco and Kane are also trained bike mechanics. All three of them are having fun.
“For me, it’s been the very best volunteer experience ever,” Dr. Peterson said.
The Bike Shack is located next to Hobbs Hall.
The hours of operation vary from semester to semester. Please email Dr. Peterson at peterson@lynchburg.edu for current information.
