Jackson to benefit from community shop

JACKSON, MS (BRAIN)—Jackson Bike Advocates and Bike Walk Mississippi are planning a volunteer-run Community Bike Shop in Mississippi capital set to open in the fall.

“We are only in the planning stages of the shop,” said Melody Moody, executive director of Bike Walk Mississippi. “We want to begin gathering donated parts and tools as well as gauging interest in the local community.”

The Community Bike Shop will start out as an after-school pilot program geared toward students in Midtown, where the shop will be located. Once established, the program will be open to the public two Saturdays per month. Kids of all ages will have the chance to both teach and learn about bike safety and repair through the program’s “Earn-a-Bike” initiative.

A way to encourage students to get involved, the initiative rewards kids who work a certain number of hours in the shop or complete all of the steps of the program with either a bike of their own or use of the shop’s tools and supplies. Jackson Bike Advocates and Bike Walk Mississippi look to make Jackson a more bike-friendly city through this endeavor.

The project is in need of donations in the form of old or new bicycles, parts, tools, helmets, locks, bells, lights and other supplies.

To get involved, contact bikewalk@bikewalkmississippi.org.