L-R: Adam Wells explains a few things to Teddy who got the gears fixed on his bike during the bicycle repair workshop at the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 4/26/26. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The “blessing” part of the “Blessing of the Bicycles” kind of got lost in the shuffle, but the repair shop was most definitely a big hit. Four organizations teamed up for the bicycle repair workshop at the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 4/26/26: Fairhaven UU Church, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), Fairhaven Livable Streets, and SouthCoast Places for People.
A steady stream of people, some on bikes, some not, of all ages showed up for several hours to learn how to change a tire, adjust brakes, and other important tasks on bicycles. Volunteers also helped people who were having a particular problem with their bikes.
Lola Berman took her bike to have the inner tube replaced. She said she tried to do it herself, but, “It didn’t work out.”
She said she rides often in the summer.
Jax Sylvia had a very rusty chain on her bike, and it kept falling off. Volunteer, Bob Espindola, lubed it up for her. Ms. Sylvia, who lives in Acushnet, said she rides her bike everywhere, especially in New Bedford. She just takes it on the bus.
Young Teddy said the gears on his bike kept skipping, slipping, and making weird noises. Volunteer, Adam Wells, fixed it up for him.
Young Nicholas got a free tire pressure gauge and a quick lesson on the spot to learn how to use it. He sid he also had his brakes adjusted, but, the brake pads are worn, so he’ll have to buy new ones.
Laurie Despres went by to have the handlebars on her bike raised up a couple of inches, and was very happy with the results after volunteer, Geoffrey Sullivan, took care of it
Audley Bodden was there with his family. He took video to learn about… well, everything. He said only one of his children can ride a bike. They were looking forward, though, to riding this summer and using the Fairhaven bike path.
Bicycles are a great way to connect with the community and one’s surroundings, said Will Gardner, one of the organizers.
“They are affordable, give kids independence and freedom,” he said, adding that when they ride a bike through town, they are not just passing through. They are saying “hi” to neighbors, visiting businesses, and seeing everything around them.
Mr. Gardner said he was very happy with the turnout for the inaugural event. Especially since it rained earlier in the day and probably scared some people off.
“Bikes are a great excuse to get people out and connecting with each other,” he said.
Mr. Gardner is well known around down and through his Substack newsletter as a huge biking advocate who uses his bicycle for transportation all year long.
The event also included giveaways such as a tire lever to remove the tire from the rim; lights and reflectors; pant straps; and information on the South Coast Bikeway which aims to have a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths, multi-use paths, and bike lanes connecting existing routes in Rhode Island to Cape Cod.
For more information, visit SC Bikeway at https://southcoastbikeway.com and SC Places for People at https://luma.com/ugj96u1d and Fairhaven Livable Streets on Facebook.
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- Laurie Despres does what she can to help as Geoffrey Sullivan adjusts the handlebars on her bike during the bicycle repair workshop at the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 4/26/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Nicholas learns how to use the free tire pressure gauge he received at the bicycle repair workshop at the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 4/26/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- The Arruda family (L-R) Alison, Mark, and Teddy pose for the local free sheet after attending the bicycle repair workshop at the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 4/26/26, where Teddy has some work done his bike. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 4/30/26 issue: 04-30-26 WI 5K
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