Bicycle Mechanics, Growing in Demand and a Sustainable Career

Bicycles have been around for over two centuries and have remained a popular mode of transportation, especially in cities. With an increasing number of people adopting bicycles for commuting, exercise, and recreation, the need for bicycle mechanics has grown significantly in recent years. Becoming a trained bicycle mechanic in the 21st century is an excellent career opportunity, and here are some reasons why.

1. Growing Demand

The demand for bicycle mechanics has been on the rise in recent years, especially with the increase in the number of people using bicycles. According to a report by the National Household Travel Survey, the number of people who use bicycles for transportation has increased by 46% since 2005. The demand for bicycle mechanics is expected to continue growing as more people adopt cycling as a sustainable and affordable mode of transportation.

2. Sustainable Career

With the increasing awareness of environmental issues, people are now more inclined towards adopting sustainable lifestyles. Bicycles are an eco-friendly mode of transportation that does not emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. As such, the demand for bicycle mechanics is expected to remain high as more people adopt sustainable lifestyles.

3. Flexibility

Bicycle mechanics have the flexibility to work in different environments. They can work in bike shops, repair shops, or even run their businesses. They can also choose to specialize in different areas such as mountain bikes, road bikes, or even electric bikes. This flexibility allows bicycle mechanics to tailor their careers to their interests and preferences.

4. Personal Fulfillment

Bicycle mechanics get personal fulfillment from knowing they are contributing to making the world a better place. By repairing bicycles, they are helping people to maintain their mode of transportation, exercise, and recreational activities. This sense of fulfillment can be incredibly satisfying for those who find meaning in helping others.

5. Competitive Wages

Bicycle mechanics earn competitive wages, with the average hourly rate being between $15-$25. Experienced mechanics can earn even more, with some earning over $30 per hour. Additionally, bicycle mechanics can earn more by running their businesses, which allows them to set their rates.

6. Learning Opportunities

Bicycle mechanics have many opportunities to learn and improve their skills. Technology is constantly evolving, and new bike models are released every year, which means that bicycle mechanics must stay updated with the latest trends and techniques. This ongoing learning process can be exciting for those who enjoy keeping up with the latest technology and trends.

7. Job Security

The demand for bicycle mechanics is expected to remain high, which means that bicycle mechanics have job security. With the increasing popularity of bicycles, the need for mechanics will continue to grow, providing a stable career for those who choose to pursue it.

In conclusion, becoming a trained bicycle mechanic in the 21st century is an excellent career opportunity. With the growing demand for sustainable transportation, the need for bicycle mechanics will continue to rise, providing job security and competitive wages. Bicycle mechanics also have the flexibility to tailor their careers to their interests, allowing for personal fulfillment and ongoing learning opportunities. Overall, becoming a bicycle mechanic is a rewarding career choice for those who are passionate about bicycles and sustainability.

Quadra Bike School

The Quadra Bike School is a unique institution that offers courses on bicycle maintenance and repair. Located on Quadra Island in British Columbia, Canada, the school was established in 2014 by Jerzy Dymny, who wanted to share his knowledge and passion for bikes with others. The school has since grown into a respected institution, attracting students from all over Canada and beyond.

The Quadra Bike School offers courses on a range of topics, including bicycle maintenance, repair, and custom bike building. The courses are designed for people of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced mechanics. The school's instructor are experienced cyclists and bike mechanics who are passionate about teaching others how to maintain and repair their bikes.

The courses are offered in a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature and the ocean. The school's location on Quadra Island makes it an ideal place for people to take a break from their busy lives and immerse themselves in learning about bikes.

One of the unique features of the Quadra Bike School is its emphasis on sustainability. The school's instructors teach students how to repair and maintain bikes in a way that is environmentally responsible. They encourage students to recycle and repurpose bike parts rather than throwing them away, reducing waste and the impact on the environment.

The school offers a range of courses to suit different needs and interests. For beginners, the Basic Bike Maintenance course teaches students how to clean and lubricate their bikes, adjust brakes and gears, and replace tires and tubes. The course is designed to give students the confidence and skills they need to take care of their bikes and perform basic repairs.

For those who are more experienced, the school offers courses on advanced bike maintenance and repair. These courses cover topics such as wheel building, suspension servicing, and hydraulic brake maintenance. Students learn how to diagnose and fix more complex problems, allowing them to maintain and repair high-performance bikes.

The Quadra Bike School also offers courses on custom bike building. These courses teach students how to build a bike from scratch, choosing components and materials to suit their needs and preferences. The courses cover everything from frame selection to wheel building, giving students a comprehensive understanding of the bike-building process.

In addition to its courses, the Quadra Bike School also offers workshops and events throughout the year. These events provide opportunities for students to meet other cyclists, learn about new technologies and techniques, and share their knowledge and experiences.

Overall, the Quadra Bike School is a unique institution that offers a range of courses and events for cyclists of all levels. Its emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility sets it apart from other bike schools, and its beautiful location on Quadra Island makes it an ideal place to learn about bikes and connect with other cyclists. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist, the Quadra Bike School is a great place to learn about bikes and develop your skills.

Get Away From It All + Learn How To Fix Bicycles

Tired of COVID?

Wouldn't it be nice to get away from it all and go live in woods, ride bicycles every day and learn how to fix bicycles at a bicycle mechanic school tucked away in a sunny place like Quadra Island, British Columbia?

Well good news.

"Smokey" is currently accepting new bicycle mechanic students for the 2021 season at his Quadra Bicycle Mechanic School in British Columbia.

The good news is that British Columbia's COVID numbers are really low, and they're even lower in regions of the province which are "under populated" like Quadra Island is.

Think of it like a "working vacation" where you learn an useful skill or expand your knowledge.

You will spend 7 to 14 days, 6 hours per day, learning how to fix bicycles in a professional bicycle mechanic shop. There are two courses offered, one for beginners and one for professionals, so whether you are an amateur looking to learn, or someone seeking to become a professional bicycle mechanic Smokey will train you properly.

See the bicycle mechanic course details to learn more.

The Catch-22 of Bicycle Mechanics

Back in 2011 Matt Faulkner (a bicycle mechanic) sent me an email praising my website, but also bringing up an issue he had had problems with in the past.

His comment was the following:

"Being dedicated to the profession of bike mechanics and seeing the pathetic hack jobs that come out of some shops (and occasionally mine, unfortunately), I am a firm supporter of programs like the short lived BAM course, Winterborne, and the hope of government recognized bike mechanic certification.  The only issue I have with these courses and schools, is that the mechanics coming out of them just plainly are not skilled enough.  We brought in a number of co-op students from the BAM program, and had a handful of Winterborne graduates come in for tryouts, and simply none of them met the standards for us to give them permanent positions.  A friend of mine who owns another shop also had to let go of his Winterborne graduate because the amount of returned repairs was far beyond what is acceptable.  I understand that people of different mechanical and cycling backgrounds will come away from these courses differently, but the sheer number of shoddy mechanics I've seen some through these courses makes me a little suspicious of their curriculum.  I'm sure a school with the pedigree of Barnett's would have different results, but obviously their graduates are hard to come by up here.  I have heard talk lately, though, that BTAC (I may be wrong, but I think it was BTAC) is in the works with George Brown College to implement government acknowledged bike mechanic certification.  Keep your eyes peeled!"

Now what Matt brought up essentially, perhaps without realizing it, is the old Catch-22 of training bicycle mechanics. You have to train bicycle mechanics in order to get bicycle mechanics that are "up to snuff".

Bicycle mechanics who failed to meet the standards set by the shop or not acceptable simply ended up being let go at later dates because the shop didn't feel compelled to train the new recruits to the level they wanted - or to use the techniques that the head mechanic preferred to use.

This is something I have noticed about various bicycle mechanic shops, the head mechanic always has their own opinion about the "correct way" to fix something in a particular way. That means a student, recently graduated from a bicycle mechanic program will be doing the methodology they were taught in class - including methods outlined by the esteemed Barnett* - and the head mechanic will disapprove of the method the graduate uses, but doesn't bother to actually teach the new recruit the so-called "proper way" that the head mechanic prefers to use. And these so-called proper methods will vary from shop to shop, with the differences largely being issues of how much time a particular method takes.

* Note - Matt also mentions Barnett's pedigree and reputation, although it is important to note that the BAM program followed the same curriculum and the same course book's that Barnett teaches. I cannot speak for what Winterborne program does however. If anyone knows if the Winterborne program copies the Barnett curriculum, please post a comment below.

So for my example, when I studied bicycle mechanics we were taught the Barnett method of doing everything - which unfortunately, is also the slowest method - which is to say, it is the "true proper way" of fixing something, in an effort to make sure it is done absolutely properly. However bike shops often skip over many of the steps that Barnett uses in order to save time and make the process more efficient. This in turn means that some bike shops are churning out shoddy repair jobs that are done hastily.

Now back to the original problem, how to get bicycle mechanics that are up to snuff.

Honestly it really comes down to training them in person, which means the head mechanic needs to get off seat and actually teach for once. Which means the owner of the bike shop needs to make teaching bicycle mechanics part of the job description.

Every graduate bicycle mechanic coming into a shop is going to have a different background, different training, and if they went through Barnett's or only program that is replicating Barnett's then they are the ones who actually know the "proper way" to do a particular task. It is up to the head mechanic to teach them the fast / efficient way that they personally approve of.

Writing about this reminds me of my interest of becoming a helicopter mechanic. Why? Because of the following reasons:

#1. Helicopter mechanics don't skimp on time when it comes to repairing the helicopter. If they fail to do the job properly, people fall out of the sky and die. Thus they have to do everything "by the book" and each repair is recorded, dated and logged.

#2. Helicopter mechanics are better paid, although not always by much.

"The average salary for a helicopter mechanic was $54,500 annually in May 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure breaks down to $26.20 per hour. The top 10 percent of mechanics made an average of $74,210 annually, or $35.68 per hour. The lowest 10 percent made an average of $34,630 annually, equivalent to $16.65 per hour."

Bicycle mechanics get barely minimum wage and treated like dirt, because people don't value a skill they could do themselves (in theory) but are too lazy to do themselves.

People working at McDonald's get paid better than bicycle mechanics.

No seriously, McDonalds workers get paid $15 per hour. Although we should note the same month McDonald's agreed to start paying their workers $15 per hour they started decreasing the staff by introducing automated kiosks.

The minimum wage in Ontario is currently $11.25, whereas the average bicycle mechanic in Ontario makes between $12 and $14 per hour - and often works part time, which means they are struggling to pay bills, to pay rent, and they are saving nothing for retirement.


The only real way for a bicycle mechanic to be saving for retirement is if they open their own shop and start charging whatever rates they want, building bikes and selling bicycles, bicycle parts, tools, etc. Which is what many bicycle mechanics eventually do, because they realize working for minimum wage and being treated like dirt just isn't enough.

In theory bike shops should also be offering private lessons in how to fix bicycles, which means they could then hire the best students as permanent staff. And they couldn't complain about what methods they use for fixing things, because it was the same methods they taught them.

Dandyhorse Magazine, Bicycle Mechanic Training

If you are looking for places to get trained to become a bicycle mechanic here is two articles in Dandyhorse Magazine on the topic:

Dandyhorse asks Toby Bowers and Eugene Chao: How did you learn how to fix bicycles?

Central Commerce Collegiate’s innovative and popular Bike Repair and Maintenance Course

Demystify Your Bicycle at HUB (Vancouver)

HUB in Vancouver B.C. is offering a series of small 3-hour long introductory classes to teach people how to fix and maintain their bicycles. The classes are held at The Pedal Depot (1830 Ontario Street) in Vancouver.

More information on this topic is available at https://bikehub.ca/bike-education/maintenance-mechanics

The introductory classes only cover brakes, gears, hubs and wheels and cost $200 to sign up for all 4 classes.

The graphic below lists the classes as "intermediate", but the classes really are designed for complete beginners.

The "beginner" 2-hour class is more of a "complete basics" class which covers jargon, terminology, etc and almost no mechanical skills and is designed to teach people how their bicycle works, and what the different parts are called. The beginner 2-hour class does a basic inspection, how to clean and oil a chain, check for wear and tear, and patch a flat - basically all things you could learn from a YouTube video or by reading The Bicycle Mechanic.

So if you already know how to fix a flat, you probably don't need to take that course.

On the other hand if you are looking to become a true professional bicycle mechanic, you are probably best off taking the six week bicycle mechanic training course at Quadra Island (which is not far from Vancouver), which costs $2500 for tuition and residence. Students come from all over the world to take the course at Quadra Island because it is the most intensive and comprehensive bicycle mechanic training course in the world.

Bicycle Mechanic Schools in Ontario

QUESTION
I'm writing to solicit your opinion of Mechanic School/Course options in Southern Ontario. I understand the Winterborne course in Guelph is very comprehensive, but do you suggest anything available in Toronto proper? The TDSB offers one but I'm not sure of it's quality.

Any advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Jean-Pierre

ANSWER

Yes, the Toronto District School Board does offer some basic training, but that is exactly what it is: Basic.

[Right: Smokey Dymny teaching a student in the BAM program in 2009.]

The BAM program at the Learning Enrichment Foundation in Toronto is offering classes again (but their teacher is different now and I don't know if the new teacher is any good). Call 416-760-2551 for BAM's starting dates and fees.

The old teacher of the BAM program is Smokey Dymny and he now teaches at the Quadra Bicycle Mechanic School in British Columbia. He is arguably one of the best teachers in North America and the folks at LEF were morons to let him go. Email smokeydymny@rogers.com to learn more about his program.

Upcoming Quadra Bike School start dates are:
September 17th to October 26th, 2012
November 5 to December 14th, 2012

Winterbourne in Guelph is your best bet if you are looking to stay inside Ontario. Their programs are good and almost as good as the Quadra Bike School program or the Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

If you want to stay inside Toronto then I recommend you seek out the new teacher of the BAM program at LEF and poke him with questions.

OR alternatively you could try getting your foot in through the door via a bike shop and see if they're willing to train you. ie. The Gears Bike Shop is always hiring mechanics and you might consider contacting kevin@gearsbikeshop.com to see if they would be willing to take untrained newbs as apprentices.

NOTE: Unless you are planning to open your own bike shop expect to get paid peanuts. Bicycle mechanics don't really get paid much.

Bike Works Community Bicycle Space

June 4th (today) is the official launch of the Bike Works Community Bicycle Space at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto.

Bike Works is a brand new community bike space at Evergreen Brick Works whose main aim is to increase the use of bicycles as a viable and sustainable mode of transportation. It is the home base of our bike program, Green City Cycles.

Bike Works has 3 main offerings to the Public:

1. Do it yourself repair – Come in and use the tools, space and get the assistance you need to fix and maintain your own ride.

2. Rentals - Have someone visiting from out of town? Rent a bicycle for a day and show them our great city and amazing Ravine system trails.

3. Workshops - Bike Works offers basic maintenance workshops and safe riding workshops for the general public. Details at the Evergreen Website.

Check out Evergreens Bike Month Events.

Bicycle Mechanic Schools in Canada & USA

• Colorado Springs, Colorado / Barnett Bicycle Institute 
• Guelph, Ontario / Winterborne Mechanic Course 
• Portland, Oregon / United Bicycle Institute 
• Quadra Island, British Columbia / Quadra Island Bicycle Mechanic Training Program 
• Toronto, Ontario / BAM (now defunct)

Charlie's FreeWheels

CANADA - Charlie’s FreeWheels is a bicycle mechanic training program in Toronto which helps youth from Regent Park. The free program mentors and teaches young would-be bicycle mechanics, using donated bicycles from the community.

The program only teaches the basics, but its a solid start for people wanting to learn the essentials of bike repair and maintenance.

The program has being going on for several years now and its turned around the lives of the students involved. They've even launched a new bike shop at 242.5 Queen St East to house all the bicycles they're repairing.

The new Charlie’s Bike Shop will provide repair service, parts, accessories and sales of refurbished bikes to the public. All proceeds will be funneled back into youth programs.

The program's name refers to the late Charles Prinsep, who was struck and killed while on a cross-country bike trip in 2007. He conceived of the idea and following his death, some of Prinsep’s friends wanted to do something in his honour and felt his idea of a bicycle mechanic mentoring program was definitely something he would have wanted to see happen.

Youths involved also receive a free bicycle (which they first fix), a lock and a helmet. Each youth also takes part in CAN-BIKE safety certification.

Since its launch two years ago, 30 youth have gone through Charlie’s Freewheels.

Quadra Island Bike Shop

CANADA - If you are visiting British Columbia and going cycling, there is no better place to go than Quadra Island.

And if you need bicycle repairs while on Quadra Island there is no better place to go than Smokey's Bike Shop.

Why?

Because Smokey Dymny (the guy who runs the shop on Quadra Island) isn't just a bicycle mechanic. He is a bicycle mechanic instructor, one of the best. He taught the BAM Program here in Toronto. So your repairs will be professionally done and you just might learn something too.

If you are looking to learn how to fix bicycles you can also contact Smokey and ask what it would cost to learn.

Smokey's Bicycle Shop
1024 Heriot Bay Road, the Animal Farm Trail
Quadra Island, British Columbia
CANADA

CONTACT
250 - 285 - 2447
smokeydymny{at}rogers.com

BAM Program looking for students

Toronto's BAM program (a government funded program which trains bicycle mechanics) is looking for more students.

People interested in becoming a bicycle mechanic should contact the Learning Enrichment Foundation and inquire about becoming a BAM student.

Classes last 8 weeks and include an one week placement in a Toronto bicycle repair shop.

The next set of class dates are: January 4th 2010 - February 26th 2010. Sign up early to avoid the waiting list!

How Safe is your Local Bike Mechanic?

CANADA - I've worked in a few different bike shops and even early on I noticed there is a trend in bike shops to cut corners when it comes to fixing a bike "by the book" with respect to the safety of the customer.

[Right: Craig, a BTAC certified bicycle mechanic.]

Take wheel truing for example. If a wheel has reached a point that the tension on the individual spokes is greater than 30 kgf the spokes are much more likely to snap when the cyclist hits a bump. That will result in "catastrophic wheel failure" and the person will end up crashing, possibly getting injured or dying. [Note - The maximum kgf will vary depending on spoke thickness, strength and the spoke pattern, but 30 kgf is true for all normal bicycle wheels. Consult your Barnett's Manual for different spokes.]

And that is just one example of what could happen if someone doesn't fix your bike properly.

As a responsible citizen you'd think bike mechanics would care more about their customers' safety, but from what I've seen quite a few bike shops out there are selling their services just to make $$$ with little regard to the personal safety of the rider.

"Well that's what I do on my bike and I've never been in an accident yet."

The key word is YET. Its bound to happen eventually.

[Right: BAM Instructor Smokey Dymny shows John how to properly tune brakes. John is now a BTAC certified bicycle mechanic.]

The problem lies in that 99% of bicycle mechanics out there have never been properly trained. They are either self-taught or taught by a shop mechanic who wasn't really trained either and is relying purely on experience.

Its my opinion that bicycle mechanics should have to go through a certification course, like the BAM program here in Toronto, the Winterborne Bicycle Institute at Conestoga College, or the John Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado. Or some similar program.

At the very least every bicycle shop should have one properly trained bike mechanic who can then pass their knowledge unto lesser mechanics on how to do things properly/safely. True, sometimes people get impatient when you've got X number of bikes to fix in a day, but I should point out a properly trained and experienced mechanic is also faster and more efficient, in addition to being safer.

In Toronto the BAM program has only been around since the start of 2009. It was created because of two things: 1. Toronto has a shortage of bicycle mechanics; 2. Toronto has a shortage of properly trained bicycle mechanics. The plan is to eventually open more BAM programs across Canada so that more and more bicycle mechanics can be properly trained.

So even though its not mandatory by law or anything, the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada is proceeding with a plan to create an industry wide standard wherein bicycle mechanics will eventually be expected to be certified. Its essentially self regulation.

And that is a good thing because it means safety standards should go up with respect to properly serviced bicycles.

Barnett's Manual for Bicycle Mechanics

Looking for a comprehensive manual on how to repair bicycles?

The book, the absolute best, is known as Barnett's Manual, and it is used by bicycle mechanics and bicycle mechanic instructors all over the Earth. The writer John Barnett is the chief instructor at the Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado and considered to be the foremost expert on bicycle mechanics because he has narrowed it down to a science (I swear he measures EVERYTHING).

Why is his book the best? Because its actually four huge volumes, covering everything from old bikes to new, every different kind of brakes, derailleurs, wheels, spokes, etc. in excruciating detail with lots of diagrams. Everything you could possibly want, over 1000 pages in 4 volumes. The set is now in its 6th edition and has so much mechanical knowledge it puts university physics textbooks to shame. You can also get the CD version for easy searching/indexing.

The books aren't cheap however. Depending where you go you can get one for approx. $160 USD. If you are on a budget I recommend trying to find an used copy on eBay, Amazon or asking around on Craigslist.