New Perry-area location perfect for community-minded bike shop

Pedals2People, a Spokane non-profit bike shop, couldn’t be happier with their new digs in the South Perry district. “We’re part of the community, we live here, we don’t just close up and go home at night, we care about our neighbors,” says P2P board president, Jacque Hendrix, of the strictly volunteer-driven organization. Previously located on the 1800 block of East Sprague, P2P’s new location since December 2011 is quite different and exactly what everyone was looking for. “Our new location has a more homey feel rather than a shop feel and it’s definitely more user-friendly in that people can more easily ride their bikes here,” he said. Founded in 2002 by John Speare and Liza Mattana to promote two-wheeled transit as a basic ingredient for healthy communities, P2P provides workspace and tools for two-wheel tinkers, sells used bicycle parts and refurbishes donated bicycles to sell back to the community. However, they don’t just let people come to them. A big part of P2P’s mission is outreach. “We want people to get out and ride, to know their neighborhood,” said Hendrix. Recognized as a SMART (Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources and Technology) business by the City of Spokane, P2P is regularly involved in community gatherings, events and markets, and travels throughout neighborhoods in the spring and summer, providing free bicycle tune-ups. It also organizes group bike rides such as the 1st Annual Gloomsday Night Ride, happening Saturday, Jan. 28. “Gloomsday is a sponsored group ride that was put together by volunteers Erik Solderg and Cory Skanlin,” said Hendrix. “There will be one of three distances to choose from along the course; meet-up prior to the ride is here at the shop at 6 p.m.” P2P also donates bicycles to local organizations such as Crosswalk, as well as national organizations. Shortly after P2P got rolling, it shipped 300 used and repaired bikes to Ghana as part of The Village Bicycle Project. However, finding it to be a larger undertaking than they had anticipated, P2P has since primarily focused on the Spokane community. With the goal of empowering people to manage their lives more sustainably through responsible transportation, P2P provides classes and workshops taught by professional bike mechanics and qualified volunteers, such as Drive-Train Maintenance, Ladies Mechanics Class, Volunteer/New Member Orientation, Tune-up and Wheel Building and Repair. Free “Ladies Night” events are also held at the shop. “Our most popular workshop is definitely the tune-up,” said Hendrix. “We like to be able to say, ‘here is how you do it and here’s the space to do it in.’” Mattana said P2P’s goal is that everyone feels welcome. “In an urban area, people might not have the space or resources to buy the tools they need,” she said in a prior interview. “We don’t want anyone to feel left out because of their technical know-how. Biking is an activity we believe everyone has a right to enjoy.” Cost to use the P2P shop is $5 an hour, which includes access to a workbench space and a basic tool bucket of hex keys, tire irons, screwdrivers and cable cutters. Drop-ins for minor fixes you’re able to repair yourself, without shop access, a personal stand or work bench are free; however donations for the tools used are greatly appreciated. You can also purchase an annual All-You-Can-Wrench membership for $50, or 25+ hours of volunteer time. “We have to look at our transportation, and ask, is this sustainable? Is this economical? Is this going to make my community a better place? Biking isn’t the final answer to all the world’s problems, but it can make a big positive change in people’s lives,” said Mattana.