Students: It’s Wrench Time
Bike Concord Brings on the Bike Grease at Olympic High School
When the bell rings for the end of school at Olympic High, most students pack their bags and head home, but some get ready for bike grease. Just don’t call it an “after-school program.” As Smitty Ardrey from Bike Concord says, “it’s Wrench Time!”
Bike Concord started a bike kitchen on the grounds of Olympic High School in 2018 to teach students valuable bike mechanics skills. The workshop is housed in a repurposed shipping container filled with spare bike parts, pumps, and loaner gear. They opened the space in what Smitty calls “the coldest, wettest month we could,” but student interest in the Wrench Time classes has been high despite the unfriendly weather.
On the coldest, wettest days, bike mechanics instructor Ken Carlock, social studies teacher Jesse Forsland, and students gather for Wrench Time in the multi-purpose room at Olympic High, roll up the bike repair stand, and get to work. At the hands-on lessons, students learn basic flat fixes and diagnose issues on bikes other students bring to class.
Teacher Jesse notes that many students’ bikes go unused for years because of a flat tire or a problem that has a simple fix. At Wrench Time, students learn how to fix their own bikes. One student says, “my favorite part is finishing fixing the bike and riding it knowing there aren’t any more problems with it.” But many students say the biggest reason to stay late after school is the chance to pass on the knowledge. One student attends Wrench Time so that they can start to teach their nephew how to fix a bike.
Members of Olympic High leadership are in on the action too. Teachers have donated bikes to the bike kitchen and the Wrench Time crew are planning a bike field trip that will tie back to geology and English classes. Even the onsite security guard is donating sandwiches for the field trip.
In a few months, Bike Concord will welcome the first round of student interns from Olympic High School. Interns will help run the Wrench Time classes, learning the ins and outs of bike mechanics. The interns and leaders will bike over to the weekly farmer’s market in Todos Santos Plaza and practice on real bikes in the community, offering free repair at the Bike Concord bike tent along with Bike Concord members. The next generation of Concord’s bike advocates are bringing the power of community bike shops to the people — and learning the ropes along the way.
Bike East Bay is the fiscal sponsor of Bike Concord. We provide advocacy, fundraising, and administrative expertise so groups like Bike Concord can come to the table and tackle major challenges in our neighborhoods.
