Take Back the Bikes aims to make bicycling more accessible

Gary resident Jeniece Lockhart opted for new wheels in a trade-in Saturday she couldn't resist.

She will supply the power on her used white, 7-speed bicycle cruiser, complete with a bell and space to add a basket.

"I plan to take it to the grocery store and use it for errands," she said.

Her husband, Victor Lockhart, took part in the Ken Parr Build a Bike program Saturday that's sponsored by Miller-based Take Back the Bikes. The nonprofit group's goal is to make cycling an accessible and enjoyable activity for residents and visitors.

Program director Jessica Renslow said Saturday's first of six workshops drew about 30 people and they gave away 21 donated bicycles that were tuned up and readied by volunteers Wes Thorn and Jamie Owens, both of Portage.

Owens is a leader in the Outback Trails Commission in Portage that supports and maintains the trails at Outback Trail in Imagination Park in Portage. He said they maintain almost 13 miles of trails.

The two bike enthusiasts changed tubes on tires, adjusted brakes and handlebars and offered advice.

Jeniece Lockhart gave up her old bike, while her husband went home with a 10-speed Columbia racing bike.

"I like old school stuff," he said. "I also thought I could pick up a few skills and help out."

Wes Thorn, left, and Jamie Owens, right, work on a mountain bike for Mitchell Scott on Saturday, June 3, 2023, during Take Back the Bikes in Gary's Miller neighborhood. (Carole Carlson/Post-Tribune)

Renslow said about 19% of Gary residents rely on public transportation. The initiative originally sprang from a Miller Spotlight program after volunteers learned Gary didn't have a bicycle shop.

Mitchell Scott, of Gary, donated a bike and went home with a Flyer mountain bike he plans to ride with his partner Sherece Govan.

"We’ll ride around Lake Street and go down to the beach," he said. "I’ve been riding since I was a kid."

Lawrence Johnson, of Gary, said he was looking for a bike and heard about the event from a friend. He took home a mountain bike.

"I just like to ride it to the store, maybe I can lose some weight," he said.

Take Bike the Streets Build a Bike program has found a permanent home at 665 S. Lake St. in a lot next to the Miller Beach Farmer's Market, Renslow said.

Gary's Take Bike the Streets Build a Bike program, shown on Saturday, June 3, 2023, has a new permanent location at 665 S. Lake St. (Carole Carlson/Post-Tribune)

It received site support from the Miller Farmer's Market and the LEE Companies, which helped secure a shipping container to store the bikes and equipment.

It also is backed by community partners TRC Gary, Force for Good, The Sparkle House Art Project and the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District.

Jennifer Taylor, of the Sparkle House, painted the mural on the shipping container that includes a rainbow over a beach with a sailboat and gulls.

The Build a Bike program is named in honor of Ken Parr, one of its original volunteers. Parr, who died in 2016, was a science teacher and cycling advocate.

Future bike workshops are set for 10 a.m. to noon on June 17, July 8, July 22, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19 at the same location.

For information or to volunteer, contact Renslow via [email protected], or at (818) 294-4240.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.