Offering tools and experience, the SBCC bike shop is a one-stop-shop

Hunter Clark, Staff Writer

December 2, 2022

Bici Centro’s Manager Michael Velasquez tunes a bike in front of City College’s Campus Bike Shop on Nov. 30 in Santa Barbara, Calif. The shop located near the bridge on East Campus is open 11 a.m – 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday during the academic year.

MOVE Santa Barbara County (formerly SBBIKE + COAST), a local public-transit advocacy group, opened a satellite of their Bici Centro DIY bike shop on City College’s campus on Aug. 29.

The on-campus shop aims to give students, faculty, and other members of the City College community the education and resources needed to safely commute to campus by bike. The repurposed utility shed is no more than 150 square feet, but is equipped with any tool that an on-the-go cyclist might need, all of which are free to use.

The interior of City College’s Campus Bike Shop photographed on Nov. 30 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Students who bring their bikes into the shop are given access to professional tools and hands-on instruction on servicing their own bike. (Callahan Morgan)

Common parts and accessories, such as cables, brake pads, tubes locks and lights, can be purchased at the counter. The City College shop also has a small number of refurbished, donated bicycles for sale in the racks outside its doors.

“We offer our professional opinion and assistance but it really is a learn-by-doing experience,” Bici Centro Manager Michael Velasquez said. “Learning how to do a repair is something someone can take with them.”

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The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and is located next to the bridge on East Campus, a major thruway for bicycle traffic at City College. During a normal shift Valesquez will have five to seven people stop by the shop, the most common repairs being flat tire fixes and brake adjustments. People with bikes in need of major services are directed towards Bici Centro’s downtown location.

“Students see DIY and they get intimidated but that’s not what it really is,” Bici Centro employee Teresa (Tee) Roberts said. “It’s not really do-it-yourself, it’s more do-it-together.”

Bike mechanic Michael Velasquez adjusts the trueness of a wheel inside City College’s Campus Bike Shop on Nov. 30 in Santa Barbara, Calif. In addition to managing community bike shops, Velasquez serves as a technician to guide students through their repairs. (Callahan Morgan)

Bici Centro’s downtown location has an adult education program which offers free classes to riders and mechanics of all levels throughout the year. Velasquez recommends these courses to anyone starting to ride so they learn the traffic laws and how to safely ride in the area.

City College’s hilly topography and proximity from Isla Vista may present challenges for some students wishing to commute by bike, but for students and faculty who live closer to campus, Velasquez says commuting by bike is the “faster and more affordable option.”

Tips on routes to City College, and safe biking practices, can be viewed on Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition’s YouTube channel.