Historical September 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Fifteen neighborhood youth have now earned their own bicycle, lock, helmet, and tire iron set through the Skinker DeBaliviere Youth Cycles Program.
The program, which is presently located in the basement of New Cote Brilliante Church at Washington and Skinker, instructs children in bicycle repair, maintenance, and safety.
The program has initially been made possible through the United Way.
All participants donated time to our community by assisting with cleaning up Four Corners, by helping to set up the YOUTH CYCLES SHOP and by delivering the hundreds of letters sent to residents regarding the Friends of Skinker DeBaliviere campaign. Throughout the summer, the SKINKER DEBALIVIERE YOUTH CYCLES SHOP has undergone a major makeover thanks to donations by many neighbors and neighborhood businesses. Many neighbors responded with bicycle donations after reading past TIMES articles and many more were contacted through the flyer in the Central Wcst End Bank statements.
With these bicycles in all shapes and sizes, there comes the need for repair/learning opportunities. But, to repair bicycles most effectively, proper tools are needed and that’s where Big Shark Bicycle Company on Delmar (across the street from Fitz’s) gets involved.
While they are an independent bike shop, they beat out the big shops when it came to working with Youth Cycles. Believing in the program and wanting to be a positive force within the neighborhood, Big Shark not only gave us a better discount than the big shops; they expressed an interest in sponsoring some bicycle repair sessions for the youth.
With this equipment, tools, and newly built bike racks in both rooms, the shop looks great and functions well.
As they have done since coming to our neighborhood, Papa John’s Pizza fed Youth Cycles participants each Friday while the kids worked and learned.
The St. Louis Cardinal organization also came through by donating tickets for a Youth Cycles Night at the ball game.
We took the MetroLink down to the game and experienced true Summer 94 Cardinal Baseball: We lost to the Mets. Ouch! Anyway, we all had a blast.
Another new supporter of Youth Cycles is the Footlocker store on Delmar.
They eagerly donated a generous gift certificate to be used as a reward.
The ruling is till out on which participant will receive that honor. Fall programs will be run.
The program will take approximately four weeks, operating one or two evenings a week and some Saturdays.
For the most up-to-date information, call the SKINKER DEBALIVIERE YOUTH CYCLES SHOP at 727-3121. Any youth interested in participating in the YOUTH CYCLES PROGRAM can pick up an application at the SDCC office at 6008 Kingsbury, 862-5122, or at Hamilton Elementary Community Education Center. Participants will be served on a first come, first served basis.
To donate used bicycles, to learn more about the program, or to volunteer your time (no bicycle knowledge necessary), please call the shop at 727-3121. Once again, THANK YOU to the businesses and people who have supported this creative endeavor.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 6.
