This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Keeping Kids on the Streets

Sopo Bicycle Cooperative helps youth stay active

With child obesity a national epidemic (just ask ) and so many ways to keep kids inside instead of playing outdoors (ahem, Sony Playstation), it’s so important that the community takes strides to keep our youth active. 

No one realizes the importance more than Sopo Bicycle Cooperative. The non-profit, community-based bicycle repair shop has a goal of making transportation affordable, accessible and sustainable for folks of all ages, and summer is when youth can really benefit while they're out of school. 

This Saturday, May 14, Sopo will be on site at the Brownwood Bike Rally. This all-ages biking and fitness event benefits the , an organization that also shares a mission of keeping youth active. Kids as young as 5 can participate in the activities.

Find out what's happening in East Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“At the bike rally, we basically set up a mini repair station for the kids,” said Dianna Settles, volunteer coordinator for Sopo. 

“Since a lot of bikes are loaned out to the kids for the ride, many need minor adjustments, like pumping up the tires or making sure the brakes are working properly. We want to make sure they are safe and comfortable during the rally.”

Find out what's happening in East Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After the rally is over, Sopo will gear up (no pun intended) for the summer youth program, beginning at the end of May.

“During most of the year, we have a rule that kids under 18 need to have a guardian accompany them to the shop,” Settles said. 

“But during the summer, we have youth mentors that work with the kids to repair their bikes.”

Sopo operates through sharing of knowledge and skills with the goal of making cyclists more self-reliant, which means you don’t drop off your bike to be fixed and pick it up later. You can come by with tools or without them and a volunteer will work with you to do the repairs.

As for payment, nothing is required, but there is a suggested donation of $5 per hour if volunteers work on your bike or $5 per tool if you work on it yourself. But donations don’t have to be monetary.  If you have a set of handlebars or wheels you aren’t using (or even a bike!), do a parts trade. Or help work in the shop as your payment.

“Or you can even bring other supplies like paper towels!” Settles said.

The same principles operate with the kids in the summer. And while they may think they’re just getting their bikes fixed, they’re learning skills from volunteer mentors and spending time around positive role models. 

It could be the generosity of a Sopo volunteer that inspires a young boy to become the next Lance Armstrong. Or makes a little girl realize she wants to help others when she grows up.

Or at the very least, just gets a kid away from the Playstation and onto a bike. 

Sopo runs on donations and volunteer power; you can help by providing either! Check the website for more information on their programs.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from East Atlanta