Giving Bikes a Second Life
Community members were a little more mobile than when they arrived at Bayfront Park in Victoria, Minnesota this past weekend.
Residents brought their bikes that needed basic repairs and tune-ups to the Bike Repair Clinic on Saturday, May 8, 2023 that popped up in event tents along the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail near the Charlson Thun Community Bandstand in downtown Victoria.
The rain held off during the event as volunteers fixed 47 bikes owned by community members. The ten Project Life-Cycle volunteers were busy throughout the clinic as 3 people managed the check in and check out of bikes and 7 people worked on the bikes. Work on the bikes included everything from filling tires with air to more complex work like fixing shifting and braking systems.
Fun banter was lobbed across the workstations as the experts worked together to get all the bikes in tiptop shape for the spring and summer biking season — and just in time to start cruising during National Bike Month. Community members could also chat with the volunteers and learn more about the intricacies of bikes as the repair work was done under the open tents along the trail.
Project Life-Cycle is a community-supported program with A Better Society based in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The volunteer-based project’s mission is to provide free bicycles to anyone who needs one as it provides basic transportation to those who need it the most. Donated bikes are repaired and find new life as a needed ride for community members in the area. They also work to promote a healthy lifestyle and do their part to preserve the environment.
Normally the volunteers work at their shop each week to repair donated bikes for those in need but this year, they received funds from Carver County Environmental Services to create mobile pop-up repair clinics in the communities they serve. The City of Victoria was honored to host the second community clinic of the year.
By fixing the bikes brought to the pop-up repair clinic, it extends the life of the bike, thereby reducing waste that could end up in a landfill at some point down the trail.
Guide to Project Life-Cycle
|
|
|
|
|
Community members can volunteer with or donate to the project. Thank you, Project Life-Cycle, for making sure that our bikes will travel a little further this summer.
Guide to Biking in Victoria
Were you unable to attend the repair clinic? There are two Bike Fix-It Stations in Victoria for the community to use for personal repairs. The stations include tools for basic bike repairs and maintenance with a bike stand connected to each station.
Victoria has over 32 miles of trails and sidewalks spread across Victoria. Each year, the system grows further and further as it connects more and more neighborhoods. Stop by the Victoria Recreation Center or City Hall to grab a Victoria Parks & Trails Guide before starting out on your next adventure. The map has the location of each park and trail as well as public fishing areas.
 |
City of Victoria Departments and Partners Departments and partners of the City of Victoria organize and host community events throughout the year to bring everyone together and showcase areas around Victoria, Minnesota. |