Pedal pushing: Free bike-repair ministry at Aurora church sends bikers pedaling

Posted August 14, 2024 12:18 pm

Submitted by Al Benson

Bike technician Pete Essling, right, sets up a bike for repair at a free clinic Saturday at Community Christian Church in Aurora. Essling, a Community member from Aurora, operates Pete's Wheels, a mobile bicycle repair and build service. Courtesy of Al Benson

Celebrating back-to-school season, the church parking lot of Community Christian Church in Aurora became an outdoor repair shop on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Pete Essling, a community member from Aurora who operates Pete's Wheels, a mobile bicycle repair and build service, fixed bikes for free.

Rodrigo Cano, church community pastor, coordinated the clinic. Highlights were free refreshments and tours of Aurora Police Department's mobile command center and special operations truck.

Additionally, Ride Illinois, a nonprofit dedicated to making biking better across Illinois, offered educational literature. Ride Illinois supports bike-friendly roads, more and improved trails, favorable legislation and cyclist and motorist education.

Bike technician Pete Essling, left, greets attendees as they line up for a free repair clinic at Community Christian Church in Aurora. Essling runs Pete's Wheels, a mobile bicycle repair and build service. Courtesy of Al Benson

According to the organization, biking benefits the earth because it is a fun, practical and healthy way to lower human impact on the planet. Benefits include:

• Cleaner air: Bikes are a pollution-free mode of transportation.

• Powered by people: Bikes move with people power, not fossil fuel.

• Reduced congestion: Bikes require far less space than motor vehicles.

• Less infrastructure stress: Bikes are light and don't damage roads and trails.

Free refreshments and a visit from Aurora Police Department's mobile command center and special operations truck highlighted a free repair clinic at Community Christian Church in Aurora. Courtesy of Al Benson

Visit ride illinois.org for more information.

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