Who We Are
We are a youth-based, bike recycling shop and after school program that uses the bicycle as a catalyst to enhance the lives of young people through educational, recreational and entrepreneurial hands-on learning opportunities.
We are an experiential-learning bike shop-- meaning that we use a hands-on learning approach. We educate young people about bicycles as a form of environmentally sound and equitable form of transportation, recreation and healthy lifestyle, with an emphasis on safe bicycle riding skills and basic maintenance and repair.
Renaissance is a rebirth and revival. Inspired by the slogan for William Wirt Middle School, our name speaks to the belief that a bicycle can create a renewal in ones life Our participants experience the joy of breathing new life into something old and discarded by recycling used bicycles. In the age of video games and epidemic obesity, this program provides young people with an opportunity to get back outside to explore and learn about their local community.
Our Programs
Bike Safety and Mechanics Youth Classes
We offer month long classes that repeat monthly in the spring and fall. Our classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for a total of 8 two hour sessions. Participants must register for the class before or during the first session or wait until the next offering. The class focuses on bicycle riding and safety as well as maintenance and repair. Class sizes are limited to 10 individuals. Once successfully completed, a graduate will receive a certificate as a junior mechanic and become eligible to “volunteer.”
Earn-a-Bike Program
Youth participants must meet a volunteer requirement in order to earn a bicycle of their own. Time spent actually building the bicycle does not count as volunteer time. Volunteering may involve dismantling donated bikes, cleaning the shop, organizing parts, assisting community members, helping out at events or work on program fleet bikes.
Safe Riding Helmet Campaign
A young person’s brain and health are their most valuable assets, which is why we work hard to promote safe riding habits. Youth must demonstrate consistent helmet use to participate in our programs. Those without a helmet may volunteer to earn one.
Accomplishments
Much has been accomplished in the months since our founding in the spring of 2007:
- We transformed a dilapidated classroom into a working educational bike shop;
- 30 youth participants have completed our bicycle safety and maintenance course;
- 12 youth earned bicycles of their own through our Earn-A-Bike program;
- More than 40 visitors came to our shop for repairs in Fall 2007;
- More than 150 bicycles have been donated by the
We have many plans to grow including:
- Adding an entrepreneurship training program to our curriculum;
- Making quality refurbished bicycles available at affordable prices:
- Participation in the State of
Program Hours
We are generally open from Spring through Fall from Spring Break through Thanksgiving Break (Inquire for specifics). Our regular open hours are Monday and Wednesday 3-6pm for EAB volunteers and drop in repairs. Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday afterschool, repeating curriculum monthly.Contact Us!
Wally Fernandez, Head Mechanic
Renaissance Community Youth Bike Shop
University of Maryland
The Center for Educational Partnership
6200 Sheridan Street
Riverdale, MD 20737
This program is a collaboration between Maryland Cooperative Extension's Engaged University and Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers. The program is both an Economic and Community Development and a Community Schools initiative.
Bicycles are a valued form of transportation the world over.
