Ben Alford and Karl Fundenberger, volunteers representing the Topeka Community Cycle Project shared the history of the Topeka initiative with Lawrence Central Rotary. The
(TCCP) is a non profit volunteer organization committed to the reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles and in the process promotes self-reliance, sustainability, and healthful living.
The TCCP work space is open on Thursday evenings and mid-day on Saturdays providing opportunities for members of the community to volunteer their time and/or have access to the free bicycle maintenance work space. The work space includes shop stands and tools in their downtown Topeka location. There are also opportunities for people to learn from shop volunteers how to repair and maintain bicycles. Through an Earn-a-Bike (EAB) program, volunteers refurbish bicycles that would otherwise take up space in a landfill, giving new life and utility to bicycles. Once an individual has invested 10 hours of volunteer time at TCCP, they may pick out a donated bicycle and work with a shop mechanic to refurbish it for their own use. The organization also gives away bicycles and helmets to children and serves as an information source about all forms of cycling and cycling events in the area.
TCCP welcomes donations of time, money, and used bicycles, bicycle parts, and tools. The group is located at 423 S. Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka. They are renovating a historic space for use as their permanent community bicycle work space.
Locally there is some interest in creating a similar work space to refurbish bikes and teach maintenance skills. There is a local group, called Lawrence Unchained Bike Coop that is currently working on the creation of a similar project in Lawrence. For more information about their work and/or to get involved email [email protected].
