MoneySaver: Shop teaches bike repair, provides free bikes to those in need
CARRBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- You could say teaching people how to fix and maintain bikes is a passion for Richard Giorgi.
Giorgi is just one of the many volunteers who keeps the non-profit bike cooperative, The ReCYCLEry NC, in Carrboro spinning.
"We're all volunteer run and we take donated bicycles and we teach people how to fix them and by learning how to fix them they earn their own bicycles," Giorgi explained.
Bikes are donated or brought in by those looking for help with repairs. But, the ReCYCLEry isn't about fixing it for you, it's about teaching and giving you the skills.
"We want to show people how to fix it, so, they're more self reliant when they're riding their bicycles," said Giorgi. "We figure that will lend toward them feeling more responsible for their bicycle and feeling like they can ride it more often," he said. "Because they can take care of common problems if it happens on the road."
The skills are taught the first full weekend and third weekend of every month at The ReCYCLEry in Carrboro through free workshops.
If you are in need of a bike, you can work to own one too.
"Part of the goal is to eliminate any economic barrier people could see for using a bicycle for transportation or recreation so we don't charge anybody for it either," Giorgi said. "There's no charges. As long as you're working on the bicycle here."
You can work on a donated bike and take it home or bring in one from home that might need some work to get it back on the road.
The ReCYCLEry also organizes group rides for kids and tweens and runs a custom jersey business to fund the non-profit.
They are always accepting bike donations.
"Over the years we've fixed thousands of bicycles," said Giorgi.
