West Town Bikes

West Town Bikes aims to promote bicycling in Chicago and to serve the growing bike population in the city by welcoming bikers of all experience levels to work, learn, and teach bike mechanics in their community workspace. The organization offers several classes and workshops and also hosts open-shop nights where tools are available for anyone to use. West Town Bikes even has a women's night where only women and transgendered bikers and instructors are allowed in the shop. Kids programs, such as BickerBikes, an earn-a-bike summer program, also educate and serve Chicago's youth about bicycle mechanics and cycling skills. West Town Bikes does not charge for services, but a donation is suggested for participating in an event. - Betsy Mikel