Spring is Here NEAR !

Greetings

This is Mackenzie with a message about the start of the cycling and programming season at The Common Wheel!

Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast has nearly run its course, and while there might be one or two more “false springs” to go, winter is surely drawing to its end. March has begun its transition from lion to lamb, and soon we’ll be seeing a lot more friendly faces in our shops and co-op spaces.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2025. Let’s start on the right foot by getting your bikes in for service or joining one of our classes or programs to help get the wheel rolling!

Calling all Volunteers!

The yellow minion bicycle in the picture is a special bike. It is the first bike that I have personally prepared for the 2025 Maryann Caldwell Spring Bike Fling. Every year, our staff and volunteers work to fix up 100-200 bicycles for this giveaway. Our 2025 event will be on Sunday, May 18th. Through the next few months we’ll need your support to make sure every bike is safe and beautified for the fling. If you’re interested in regularly volunteering with us or would like to put together a group to fix up some kids bikes, please email our Director of Programming, Kayla Layng, at her email: kayla@thecommonwheel.com

If you’d like a more relaxed commitment, join us every Thursday night from 6pm-8pm for Drop-In Volunteer Night. This is at our 701 E King St. location in Reservoir Park.

Youth Programs are Open for Business:

Our Earn-a-Bike classes are the core program of The Common Wheel. Each month, over the course of 8 classes, we work with students to learn the basics of bicycle repair, maintenance, and safety. Students work on a bike of their choice from our stock of donations, and at the end of the course they keep their bike with all of its new components and fully tuned, as well as a lock, light set, and helmet! In 2024, 95% of students paid reduced tuition or received a full scholarship. Every student who takes Earn-a-Bike receives an average of over $250 in savings, with the average tuition collected being about $40 per student.

Every Wednesday from February through the end of November, join us for Youth Bike Workshop. Any school-aged youth is welcome to visit our shop from 12:00pm – 5:30pm to receive free, guided repairs to their bicycle. In addition to this savings, all used parts (so long as they make the bike more safe to ride) are only $1 each. Last year we provided 672 replacement parts to students, and discounted over five thousand dollars in labor/service charges.

Supporting Our Shop Makes Our Work Possible:

The programming and classes that we offer are all meant to provide a means of essential transportation and skills to participants. We do this work because it is at the core of our mission. This work is only possible through the support of our community.

If you are looking to ride in 2025, visit our shops! In Lancaster we provide sales and service at 324 N. Queen Street, and in Columbia we are at 137 Locust Street.

Proceeds from sales in TCW’s shops go directly toward supporting our programs. 

Every member of our staff, myself included, is an experienced bicycle mechanic with years of industry knowledge. If your bike is in need of a tune up, come check us out before the warm weather comes and our service queue gets busy. As always, estimates are free. From brake and gear adjustments to wheel builds to suspension overhauls, we do it all. Your support keeps The Common Wheel rolling!

See You Soon!

Stay tuned for updates about our Wednesday Night Rides, Coffee Rides, and other events and socials as the weather continues to improve. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you. This work couldn’t be possible without your support.

–MacKenzie