UofT students are taken for a (good) ride

UofT students have proven that they are, indeed, very smart. Last week, full-time UofT students voted “yes” to fund Bikechain, an educational bicycle repair facility on campus. Bikechain. The program will now receive a 25 cent tuition levy.

This means that Bikechain will have an annual, continuous operating budget of over $20,000. A portion of this will go to UTM BikeShare (not affiliated with the City’s now-defunct — but hopefully only temporarily — yellow bike program.)

That’s the good news. The bad news is that the people who were turning the cogs at Bikechain are leaving for greener pastures, or, more specifically, grad school.

Carlene Thatcher-Martin, has been the program co-ordinator for the last two years and will not be able to continue through the summer. Work-study student, and diligent Bikechain-er, Jenny Greenop, is also graduating. This leaves BikeChain without funding or leadership for the summer.

“We’re very confident we will find some kind of funding for that person, just for the summer, now that we have the levy,” Thatcher-Martin said. She also said that if Bikechain can find the right person to help out for the summer, that there is a distinct possibility that that person could become the permanent co-ordinator when the funding kicks in at the beginning of the academic year.

In the meantime, volunteers are desperately needed to keep the shop up and running. If you can help out in any way (you don’t need to be a skilled bike mechanic, as long as you have the will to learn) please contact Bikechain at bikechain@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-6849.

Bikechain would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who helped out in the campaign. They even got a nice plug in the Star last week.

And, this is what Bikechain is all about…here is their release for this Thursday’s workshop:

This week at Bikechain…

Don’t miss the episode you have all been waiting for…
Bottom Brackets, and the flat fix of doom!
Show opener: We’re going to teach you how to fix a flat yourself, because people will respect you more.
On the main stage: The bottom bracket overhaul. Drop some sweet shop terminology at your next box social, or sock-hop!
With special guest, Robin “You might remember me from single speed conversion, wheel building and headsets” Hamill.
There will be laughs, tears, and if you are good you might even learn something about the central mechanism of the modern bicycle.
This Thursday March 15 from 6-8, ONLY @ Bike Chain!
Be there or have a good excuse, sucka!

Bikechain
33 St George (just north of College, across from the UofT bookstore)
International Student Centre
Thursday March 15
6-8pm

Photo by Erin Riley. Bikechain logo-emblazoned underwear available at Bikechain HQ for two dollars.