#BikeNite A4: Definitely check out community bike shops that are run as non-profits. They often provide free repairs, and low-cost bikes (and sometimes free bikes for kids).

We have #RecycleCycles and #RedRaccoonBikeRescue in #WaterlooRegion. They have Do-It-Yourself repair shops, with lots of technical expertise to help out if you get in over your head.

@ascentale
@thelonelyghost @etp @bikenite

#BikeNite A2: I spent exactly one day working (for pay) in a bike shop, #RecycleCycles in #Kitchener, a project run by #TheWorkingCentre where I'd just started work in the IT department. Bike Shop Day was part of the new job orientation. Lots of fun for a bike weenie: All the tools! All the parts! And professional expertise to help out when things go wrong. I have none of those in my basement.

I've volunteered there a few times since, just a few hours at a time.

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite

#BikeNite A4: I had a bunch of spare bikes, discards from relatives that weren't in rideable condition that I wanted to frankenbike for years. When my son needed a new bike I realized I'd never get around to fixing them, so we brought them to #RecycleCycles and bought new bikes on the way home.

But somehow, I've accumulated a bunch more bike parts over the years since then.

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite

#BikeNite A5: The LBS I go to now is Black Arrow Cycles https://www.blackarrowcycles.ca/

The owner, Jesse Robertson, used to run #RecycleCycles, a project of #TheWorkingCentre. I worked at TWC as a computer support tech, and part of the orientation was working in the bike shop for a day. Quite the treat for a computer guy who likes bikes!

I bought my bike (and my son's) at another LBS (before Black Arrow existed), largely because there was a display of new bikes outside.

@ascentale
@sam @bikenite

#BikeNite A5: I've never sold an old bike, but I've given a few to #RecycleCycles. Including the adult bike I got for my 11th birthday (and rode for 25 years), and $ONESON's first two-wheeler. And, to be honest, it felt pretty good because we knew those bikes would get refurbished and would be appreciated by their new owners.

@ascentale
@meganL
@bikenite

#BikeNite A6: In #WaterlooRegion we have both #RecycleCycles and #RedRaccoonBikeRescue.

Red Raccoon does free bike repair on Saturdays at Willow River Park (fka Victoria Park) at the Joseph Street entrance. Lots of learning takes place, both repair and how to cycle. https://www.redraccoon.org/

Recycle Cycles sells bikes (cheap), and does bike repair (cheap, or free DIY). Volunteers are matched up with experienced professional bike techs. https://www.theworkingcentre.org/recycle-cycles/153

@ascentale
@max_in_somer