Lansing Bike Co-op: Community lubricant

If you’ve ever passed the inviting bay doors of the Lansing Bike Co-op on Kalamazoo Street and wondered what goes on inside, behold! The all-volunteer, nonprofit group, which marked its 10th anniversary last fall, is a safe haven where anyone in the community can inflate, tighten, lubricate, adjust and kibitz. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to milk a few more miles out of an ancient beater, keep your favorite cruiser cruising or learn how to take care of a new high-end performance bike. The co-op offers classes in bike mechanics and has plenty of tools and expertise to help you get the velocipede in spring trim. There’s no snobbery or hierarchy, just mutual help and support. Director and co-founder Aaron Fields said the co-op has given away “at least 700” children’s bicycles through its annual holiday bike drive, and its ever-changing crew of community enthusiasts has repaired thousands of bikes.

Raymond Holt for City Pulse Co-op President Trevor Benoit repairs a recently donated bicycle.

Raymond Holt

Raymond Holt for City Pulse Blake Abrego-Lerma works on his bike at the co-op.

Raymond Holt

Raymond Holt for City Pulse Co-op volunteers Steve Holden (left) and Sean Foley work out a problem with a bicycle wheel.

Raymond Holt