The Open Bike program, run by the Youth Services team, is in need of bikes and bike parts that can be used by participants to fix or restore a bike from scratch while learning and developing new technical skills.
The free program, which has been running since 2009 is geared towards youth aged between 12-25 years with youth workers on hand to provide guidance.
Youth Services Program Coordinator, Stacy Klousia, said the program was in desperate need of good quality bikes and parts.
“The Open Bike program has become very popular and with this, we need more bikes and bike parts, particularly BMX and mountain bikes,” Stacy said.
“We have participants from across the Clarence region, including Rokeby, Clarendon Vale and Lauderdale who come to us wanting to restore a bike from scratch or fix one they already have for themselves, a friend or community member.”
The program, which operates at Clarence Plains, is run by youth workers who have been trained in bike repair and maintenance with the help of Anthony Edler from the Risdon Vale Bike Collective. Whereas the Risdon Vale Bike Collective has a primary focus on developing specific skills including job readiness skills of youth in Risdon Vale, the Open Bike Program is open to youth from the broader community with more general technical skills being taught.
The Open Bike program traditionally runs on Wednesday afternoons throughout the year but after continual requests from young people, the workshop has now been extended to Mondays and at times travels around Clarence after school and during the school holidays.
“The program gives young people a lot of skills in restoring a bike and we always encourage them to be resourceful and problem solve any challenges they face along the way,” Ms Klousia said.
Donations will be gratefully accepted and can be brought to the Clarence City Council Youth Centre in Rokeby between the hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm. Pick up can be arranged by calling 6247 1230.