SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) – For many in the Bay Area, a bicycle – not a car – is their primary mode of transportation. A recently opened South Bay shop combines a love for cycling, education, and humanitarianism.
Tucked behind the iconic muffler shop in Downtown San Jose sits a new non-profit rounding into shape.
“What we do is take donated bicycles and refurbish them. And for every one we sell in our shop, we give one away,” said Cindy Ahola, co-founder and COO of Community Cycles of California.
She and co-founder Collin Bruce said in 2017 that they wanted to serve those most underserved by Silicon Valley’s roaring economy. Thousands of underemployed and homeless people routinely use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. But finding funds to buy or repair a bike when money is tight or nonexistent can be impossible.
Once out of cramped quarters on the east side of town, the community cycle recently moved into this renovated warehouse space blocks from the SAP Center. The curious have been coming by to learn how the new place on the block connects cyclists with social providers and two-wheeled pedal-powered rides.
“Bikes, getting people to jobs, getting people to services,” said Michelle Kalish, a Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association volunteer. “You’ve got casework or social work. If it’s close, they can take a bike.”
While the community cycle helps people in need and the less fortunate get bicycles, the other program they’re involved in has the potential to change lives.
“There are lots of programs around that give you different sets of education, but we wanted to give people a chance to get a living-wage job. Well over-qualified for minimum wage,” said Bruce, the non-profit CEO.
To that end, California’s Community Cycles will operate a 12-month training program teaching how to manage this shop or any small business. Everything from ordering and tracking inventory to balancing the books.
“We also have lots of volunteers in the different areas that are more than willing to give their time – retired people and things like that – they’re more than willing to come and share their expertise,” said Bruce.
Community Cycles already has volunteers doing bike repairs, and those folks could work themselves into full-time jobs. If this concept has legs, more feet could be used to pedal in a place that’s not your father’s bike shop.
