Build-a-bike Program

The core of our programming, our Build-A-Bike Program consists of 30 hours of class time, bike mechanics education, a hot vegetarian meal, a safety kit, and a fully built safe-to-ride bicycle! 

Over the course of the program, participants to build a bike from the frame up, week by week, with their own hands, through classes about on bicycle anatomy, tool safety, a bike’s mechanical systems, and bike safety. Students leave the program with a helmet, lock, front and back lights, a bell, and a bike built by and for them, along with the skills and knowledge to repair it themselves and ride it safely.

A bike is not required to participate, as we will be building one for you together. The program is completely free to participants and is open to youth ages 12-25. We provide a hot vegetarian meal during every program session, but can make some accommodations based on dietary needs.

The program runs three times a year, and we are also proud to offer sections and classes specifically for women, trans, femme, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and people of marginalized genders, and have been since 2014, led by female, trans and/or non-binary staff and volunteers.

The next Build-A-Bike sessions will run in spring 2024, and you can sign up for our newsletter in order to receive programming updates.

Build-YOUR-bike Program

Build-Your-Bike aims to provide participants with the knowledge to maintain their bikes themselves. Through this program, participants will develop the skills to be able to fix their brakes and shifting, change flats, and adjust the bearing systems on their bikes. Students will leave this program with a completely overhauled safe-to-ride bike. To participate in this program, you must be between the ages of 12 - 25 and are encouraged to bring your own bike to work on in class.

Drop-in hours

Bring your bike to drop-in hours for full shop access, the use of all our tools and the advice of an experienced mechanic. Ask questions about your bicycle, get help with a fix, or hang out and learn about how a bike shop works! Open to all youth ages 12 - 25.

pre-employment training Program

The pre-employment training program aims to provide graduates of the Build-A-Bike program and other youth with a similar background with the skills, shop experience, and community connection to prepare for an entry-level bike mechanic job in a retail repair shop. Registration for our 2024 program is now open!

Mobile Repairs

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Charlie’s FreeWheels has put together a Mobile Repair setup so we can take our repairs out of our shop and into the outdoors! Since launching the program, we’ve had pop-ups at Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market, St. Lawrence Market, Taste of Regent Park, the Meadoway, and along the Waterfront Trail as part of ActiveTO.

We’re looking forward to bringing even more mobile repairs to you in 2024!

Send us an email at info@charliesfreewheels.ca if you have any ideas or suggestions for where we should go next, or if you have an event or venue where you’d like us to bring our repair setup!

Advanced Mechanics Training [Currently on hold]

Picking up where our Build-A-Bike program leaves off, our Advanced Mechanics Training program is designed in partnership with local bike shops to bring youth to a pre-employment level of training. We get into the nitty gritty of bike mechanics, the advanced skills needed to work on a bike you’re unfamiliar with, and details about different types of bikes you might encounter, along with things we’re not able to devote a lot of time to in class. We want to build on the foundations that the Build-A-Bike program lays for youth and bring them to the next level of bike repair knowledge.

Group Rides [Currently on hold]

Let’s ride together! For riders of all skill levels, Charlie’s FreeWheels offers group rides. It’s an opportunity for less experienced cyclists to gain skills and confidence in their ability to ride, and a chance for seasoned riders to explore different parts of the city. We’ve even gone on long distance group rides! Join us sometime for a supportive group riding experience!

bike Scouts [Currently on hold]

Interested in bike touring? Want to ride your bike even farther? Bike Scouts teaches you to do just that!

In Bike Scouts, participants will learn how to plan long-distance routes, what to pack, what to wear, how to prepare, and how to make fixes on the road while you’re riding far! You’ll receive a card at the end that certifies that you are a Charlie’s FreeWheels Bike Scout!

earn-a-bike Program [currently on hold]

The Earn-A-Bike Program allows youth that may not be able to commit to the Build-A-Bike program to build a bike at their own pace. Youth are invited to volunteer regularly at the shop during drop in hours to earn shop access and a bike to build! Volunteer tasks include helping others with their bikes, cleaning up the shop, and other activities based on what is needed that day.

Retired Programs:

Learn-a-bike Program

The Learn-A-Bike Program consists of three classes presenting information on bicycle anatomy, tool safety, a bike’s mechanical systems, and bike safety. These classes will be made up of interactive lessons which students can work through on their own schedule.

Like our Build-A-Bike Program, Learn-A-Bike is open to youth ages 12-25. When registering you can indicate if you would like to “earn” a bicycle through the program if you do not already have a bike at home.

Each class has a corresponding quiz which will help us assess the students’ engagement with the online content. Once all three quizzes are completed successfully we will make arrangements with each student who expressed the need for a bicycle so they can pick up a bike from our workspace, following social distancing safety practices.

Youth who do not need a bicycle can also work through the program if they are keen to learn more about how bikes work, or just for fun!

This program was a pandemic measure and is now retired.

Are we missing something?

Complete our survey here to let CFW know what kinds of bike support or resources you need!

Here’s your chance to let us know if you’re interested in a specific resource or online program, or if what we’ve got isn’t meeting your needs! You can also email us any time at info@charliesfreewheels.ca