Fixpert

CNN Money published an article today about a significant spike in nationwide bike sales during this time of increasing fuel costs. While I know that the increasing gas prices can be problematic — particularly for the working class — at least the country is getting fit, getting some fresh air, and hopefully remembering how fun riding a bike was when they were a kid. I hope that those who have turned to their bikes as an alternate source of transportation will continue to keep it in mind even if gas prices decline.

I have noticed that sometimes adults who already own a bike and would like to ride just don’t know how to oil their chains and get their older bikes running again. I would suggest that you look to your own community for help. You can take your bike in to a local bike shop for a tune up which will probably be pretty cheap. Also, many cities now have “community bike shops” that are run by volunteers. These shops usually offer free bike repair and maintenance classes, and let you use their tools for free in the shop while they talk you through doing your own repairs. See how riding bikes builds community? You don’t dilly dally around your local auto shop and chat with the repair guys and other residents as they work on their own cars, do you? I didn’t think so!