By Beth Sluys
Northside News
When a car came crashing through the storefront of DreamBikes at Northgate Shopping Center on Labor Day 2024, Noah Schneider knew he would have to keep the shop open. Despite the boarded-up windows, the front door still worked, but the shop looked like it was closed for repairs. While the accident created challenges for the business, the folks at DreamBikes kept right on working.
DreamBikes opened in 2007 offering at-risk youth a place to learn and enter the work environment in a softer way. DreamBikes refurbishes donated bikes from the community to provide serviceable bikes. In addition, the workplace is a training ground for young “bikesmiths.”
Young people working at DreamBikes are learning to do bike refurbishing from initial assessment to breakdown, and then on to a complete rebuild. Bike sales support the mission of DreamBikes offering reasonably priced, refurbished bikes, but also do something for area youth.
Some of those participating in the training program learned about it by word of mouth. Others were referred by a teacher or school counselor. As students move through the bike refurbishing and maintenance program, they are offered opportunities to talk about their mechanical skills, develop social skills, and receive training in areas like on-line sales.
There is also an opportunity for post-secondary education support through scholarships when students are ready to make that leap. Schneider lends a hand with resume writing and submitting applications.
Schneider is the store manager, having come up through the ranks in the shop. “I was the kid who did not want to leave, and have been working here since I was 14 years old.”. Sharing his experiences makes it easier to relate to the students who work at DreamBikes.
While walking through the shop, you can’t help but notice the unique bikes hanging high overhead, including Olympian Eric Heiden’s bike. Not only a speed skater, Heiden was an avid cyclist as well.
The shop is full of bikes for sale, including brands from Cannondale, Trek Giant, Ross and occasionally Bianchi and Marin. Sometimes electric bikes are donated, which required new training for repairing and refurbishing those systems. While they don’t carry many E-bikes, if you are in the market for a used E-bike, call the shop and get on a request list (608-416-5536).
As the spring biking season approaches, Schneider hopes to increase the capacity for youth staff; would love to have a volunteer social media coordinator (Facebook, Instagram, website); looks forward to a parking lot sales event in April; and would like a volunteer or two to lend a hand in the day-to-day shop maintenance. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, contact the shop at 608-416-5536. Bike donations can be made during shop hours. For more information, visit dreambikes.org.
