Spreading the Disease...Recyling Lessons in DIY

Between taking apart his toy trains as a child, and renovating his family’s cottage as an adult, Thomas Sands has been a part of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects all his life. His DIY life drew him to Bike Pirates where volunteering and learning go hand in hand.

“Half of it here is people taking things apart, screwing it up and learning from it then fixing it,” Sands said.

Located in what Sands calls a “bohemian” part of the city, Bike Pirates at 1292 Bloor St. W. is a volunteer bike shop where cyclists come to work on their bikes or purchase parts and accessories in return for a donation.

Thomas Sands in the pirate dungeon amongst an enormous collection of recycled bike parts

Geoffrey Bercarich volunteers for Bike Pirates and over his four years, he’s seen how the community helped keep the shop afloat.

“It’s co-operative, people have a vested interest,” Bercarich said while sorting through a pile of handle-bars. “Somebody can have this for a money donation and it goes right to the operational costs.”

Depending on how much is used, borrowed and blue, Bike Pirates help people who walk in empty handed, walk out with a functional bicycle.

Customers have three options; fix their bikes, buy a refurbished bike for a donation, or build a bike from scratch.

After working with various professional repair shops, Sands started volunteering with the pirates over two years ago. He believes the DIY space gives cyclists an opportunity to learn about their bikes and an opportunity to be less dependent on repair shops.

“(Customers) are learning about their own bike and in the future they’ll be more empowered because they know how it works and they can fix it on their own,” he said.

Derek Laventure walked into Bike Pirates with a new bike frame. He gathered various parts around the city and Bike Pirates offered him guidance, space and the tools necessary to turn a frame into a bike.

Derek Laventure DIYing at Bike Pirates

“I knew I could do basic maintenance,” Laventure said. “But the project of building something from scratch was appealing.”

Laventure said his curiosity motivated him to learn more about his simple machine. He believes without a collective like this, his project would be more challenging.

“We call it do-it-yourself, but we’re actually working together,” he said.

Tony Reilreino walked into Bike Pirates with the vision of piecing together a “beater” for winter. Rummaging through the shop’s enormous parts collection, he’s using Bike Pirates to build a bike the green way.

“It all falls into the whole (environmental issue), buying these parts which are picked by hand here and aren’t bikes assembled in China,” he said. “It’s nice knowing you’re not driving around in a car and adding to the smog and pollution.”

Bike Pirates also promotes its money-saving qualities. Volunteers agree economy is the most attractive aspect of the shop. Others come in to feed their curiosity.

“Some aren’t here to save money because some people donate way more money than we would ask for,” Sands said. “Some come here because they like the concept and life-learning and they appreciate the space.”

Giles Alder from the Urbane Cyclist started repairing old bikes as a hobby. Then turned it into a business. He’s realized how expensive repairs can be so riders turn to his bike shop for a quick fix and a warranty.

“I find that people have time and no money, or they don’t have time and have money,” Alder said. “A lot of our clientele don’t care and can afford to have someone else fix their bike.”

Alder also lends a hand at these DIY bike shops by donating parts. He believes the more people he helps get on bikes, the more customers he’ll have in the future.

“If they get more into bikes, when they can afford to upgrade, they’re going to go to a shop to get better parts and a warranty.”

Whether it’s a commercial or DIY bike shop, mechanics and volunteers agree getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles is a move towards sustainable living.

“People volunteer (at Bike Pirates) because they like contributing to the community… and they support the project and they like helping people because it’s a productive hobby,” Sands said.