Elkhart bike shop offers transportation for job seekers

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) -- Elkhart resident Alan Hummer needed a mode of transportation. Unemployed for about three years, he couldn't afford a car. A friend told him about Pedal Power, a community bike shop. The shop allows people to work off a bike if they can't afford to buy one. Hummer, expecting it to be a scam, was surprised to find he could choose any bike he wanted.

"You can't beat this," he said.

Hummer will use his new bike to try to find a job. Without it, he'd have to walk.

For many in the Elkhart community, a bike is a necessity. Few people know that better than Nick Simons, a member of the Mennonite Voluntary Service unit in Elkhart. Simons runs Pedal Power, located behind the MVS Jubilee House. He also works at Chain Reaction, Goshen's community bike shop, as part of his MVS service.

The board of Chain Reaction has allowed Simons to spend his Wednesdays for May and June working at Pedal Power. Normally the shop is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. This way, he can run also it on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Chain Reaction program coordinator Kathy Nofziger Yeakey said the board allowed Simons to trade hours because they want to be supportive of Pedal Power.

"We wanted to give Nick and the Pedal Power shop a chance to try to expand things for Elkhart and for that shop," she said.

The shop is run entirely by volunteers. Simons said he has one volunteer who comes regularly and a few others who come more infrequently. He is always searching for more people who can come and help.

"It's important to have alternatives to the money economy, especially for people who are poor and who don't have the resources for other kinds of transportation and who are out looking for jobs," Simons said.

Before he joined Jubilee House, the shop was closed. He hopes the expanded hours will continue in the later summer months, but worries about who will pick up the slack. There are about three or four bikes coming out every week, a sharp increase compared to the winter, when Simons only had one bike going out a month. Many of their bikes and parts are donated, and they also accept cash donations.

Like Chain Reaction, Pedal Power allows people to work off the purchase of a donated bike ($10 equals one hour of work). Simons said 90 percent of people who get bikes work off their purchase. The average price of one bike is $60 with a range from $35 to $100. People can also bring bikes to repair and use spare parts for free.

"My advice and help is free," Simons said.

The only issue he's had is too many kids coming in, so now anyone younger than 15 has to be accompanied by an adult.

"I felt like I was running a daycare instead of a bike shop," he said.

While Simons sees some kids coming in, he said the majority of people get a bike to use for job hunting. They might not be able to afford a new bike and so come to Pedal Power to get one in exchange for labor.

"This is one very small way to address poverty," he said. "Hopefully it's more than just bikes."

The city also knows how important biking has become to its residents. Last week, it announced the addition of three new bike routes, many of which go around the downtown area. For a comprehensive look, go to www.bikeelkhart.org.

The shop, located in the Jubilee House garage, is at 1320 Prairie St. For more information on Chain Reaction, go to crbp.org.
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   Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.etruth.com
   AP-WF-05-25-12 1342GMT