Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center

Dear Mayor Keller,Please, for our city's sake, for the sake of our children, our underserved communities and our environment, expand the bicycle safety education center initiative throughout your tenure. We need one of these Centers in every neighborhood of Albuquerque.I just finished the brief but informative two course trainings and, just an hour ago, picked up my bike (and free, new helmet). Esperanza is absolutely exceptional. Here's how the process worked, as of this writing:1. The first Monday of every month, at precisely 10am, Esperanza opens class registrations, and the phone lines are flooded. "If you get a busy signal, don't give up, just keep calling," advised the staff. That's what I did, and after about ten minutes, I got through. They signed me up for two evening classes which I attended a few weeks later.2. Each class lasted about 90 minutes, students were a mixed bunch of ethnicities, ages and abilities, about 15 people total. The first course, about safety, was truly informative. I've been a cyclist for the better part of my life, I signal turns and ride in bike lanes, I still learned a ton about staying safe on the road. The second class, bike maintenance, also went beyond fixing a flat -- I learned that, for example, I'm lucky I've never smashed my face in the pavement, I've incorrectly fastened my tires to my bike for years.3. A few days after classes, I was back at the shop, picking out my ride built from donated (and high-quality) parts. My bike: a 2007 GT Legato 3.0, built in Southern California, original retail: $700. A hybrid road/mountain ride, the bike is extremely light weight, rides like butter, and will absolutely rock when I take my kiddo on the Bosque trail. So. Friggin'. Fly.What did all this cost? Suggested donation: $40, but that's suggested and they never asked me for a dime (I'm donating the full $40, I can afford it). Esperanza also serves as a bike shop where empowered everyday people learn how to fix their own rides. To recap, Mr. Keller. The fact that this Center is inundated with calls for these classes every month, that they receive premium donated parts, and promote healthy, environmentally responsible transportation means one simple thing: tax dollars spent wisely. We need to shift the way this town thinks about transit, and it begins at places like Esperanza. This is a Duke City gem, let's keep these gears turning.Sincerely,Howie K.

Wow, I wish I had taken my bike here instead of that dud of a place I took my bike to simply because it's closer to me.FREE BIKE REPAIR HERE. Yes, you read that correctly. You bring your bike here and they have staff that supply you with parts and instruct you on how to fix it. My friend got about $75 worth of parts, including a seat, chain, and bolts, for free. They have all necessary tools on hand, too. For those of you who work, they are open evenings only and on Sundays although hours are extended in the summer.I already like doing my own car maintenance. Now maybe I can learn how to repair my bike the next time it needs work.

Amazing place that'll teach you to fix your bike for whatever donation you want to give. Great resource and super helpful people.

esperanza bike shop has been a life saver for me im disabled and they have been really great at helping me fix my bikes and they help all the children in the nieghborhood la esperanza it a great help to our community i wanted to say thank you to Ryan and all the staff and volunteers. SINCERLY jeff o.

Amazing shop full of amazing people. Great programs and you really learn about bikes!

This is a City of Albuquerque government operated facility that is like the biggest secret of the city. I was in need of a bike and a friend of mine recommended this to me. Did you know you can schedule to take two (highly valuable) safety classes for a small fee, get sized/measured and get a Bike!!!! Plus a tool kit for tire repair, a helmet and a bike lock!!!!!! I needed a bike to commute from albuquerque to Santa Fe to get on and off the train. I told this to the guys working there. Not only were they all super friendly, they listened and genuinely cared! They advised me me for a certain type, weight and that's how I have my blue bronco colored bike. They helped me, taught me and advised in any area I asked about without a bat of an eye. I highly recommend going here because it's your resource being a citizen of Albuquerque! Thank you so much for my bike, helmet, safety classes and being there when I need bike help!

I really enjoy riding my bike, but not enough to put much money or time into it. After riding for the past couple months and continuing to get flats I finally brought my bike in to this community bike shop, and what a treat it was! I was greeted by super friendly staff where they set me up at a bike station, handed me some tools, and educated me about ways to improve my bike and my bike repair experience. I felt like a total noob in there constantly asking questions of how to do one thing or the other, but the staff persistently exercised a helpful and positive vibe. I received class A service, two new tires, one new tube, a bike repair kit, and the kicker... it was all FREE! Go check it out! Check their schedule and be ready to get your hands dirty!