Bike Shop Mission Spreads

posted 10/2/19 -- LCCAA's Youth Services Program hosted a session of the Girls in Gear program in its Bike Shop inside the Ronald Nabakowski Youth Center last week.

The program, designed for girls ages 9 to 13, teaches basic bicycle mechanics and exposes students to science and engineering careers. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a new bicycle, a U-lock, a helmet and a set of bicycle lights.

Youth Services Coordinator Bobby Taylor and Ed Stewart of the Elyria Bicycle Education Center conducted the session which taught the anatomy of a bicycle, how the essential parts work and how to change a flat tire.

Participants learned who to test their bicycle tires, brakes and chains and how to maintain all parts of their bicycles.

Other partners in the program are Lorain County Metro Parks, 3-2-1-Go!, United Way of Greater Lorain County, Lorain County Public Health, El Centro and Lorain Connected.

Girls in Gear is a girls-specific, bicycling program designed to empower adolescent girls by building confidence and self-reliance through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities, physical exercise, community involvement and nutrition education. The 10-week course includes: bicycle education and mechanics, community design, public speaking and nutrition education.