By Liz Harris, Marketing and Events Coordinator
BikeWalkKC’s Women Bike KC initiative recently delivered two sessions of our Basic Bike Maintenance Class to residents at Amethyst Place, a transitional housing program for women in recovery and their children. Twelve women learned how to change a tire, clean and lube a chain, and check a bike for safe operation.
Armed with their new skills, graduates of the class are now charged with helping maintain Amethyst Place’s fleet of kids’ bikes. Riding around the courtyard is a favorite after-school activity for the children living on campus, and their moms are looking forward to bonding with them over patch kits and coaster brakes!
Women Bike KC hopes to continue this new relationship with Amethyst Place with youth-oriented classes this fall, and more family programming in the spring. Kids will learn bike safety and practice bicycle handling as well as a few of the maintenance skills their moms have already mastered.
Amethyst Place provides fully-furnished apartments, on-site therapy, and support for over 100 women and children. The organization encourages women to continue their education, and offers tutoring, free wi-fi, laptops and a computer lab. Amethyst Place also partners with area businesses to match residents with employers willing to mentor and train their new hires. We are excited about this new partnership to further Women Bike KC’s mission to move all women forward. We look forward to continuing outreach and engagement this year.
If you would like to join BikeWalkKC’s effort to redefine our streets as places for people to build a culture of active living, consider donating your gently used bikes or becoming a member.
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