Our workshops have been buzzing this winter! Thanks to our new programme Changineers, 12 bike recipients have learnt bike mechanics skills. In the four week course, participants learn about bike maintenance, safety, and mechanics skills and leave with a greater understanding of their bikes. The sessions are led by the amazing Ahmad and supported by volunteers.

One such participant Navid, a cyclist and musician who took part in the programme in November, shared his thoughts with us. Thanks Navid for sharing and for your positive energy in the workshop!

How does having a bike help you?

I travel most of the trips in the city by bicycle. This helps me to reduce costs and is necessary for my health. In my opinion, mental and physical health is very important for society. The Bike Project can take an important step for the mental and physical health of society.

I always miss my family and many thoughts bother me. The best way to escape from disappointing thoughts is to exercise. What better sport than cycling?

Please describe your experience at the mechanic classes in the workshop.

I am very happy that I found many friends in The Bike Project, experienced friends who were able to teach me how to repair the brakes, gears, tires and tubes and many other things with practical and professional training, and I learned that bicycle safety is one of the most important things for cycling. The second thing is that I experienced that I should not rush to repair the bike and remember the sensitive things.

The thing that caught my attention was that I felt comfortable with the instructors during the training course and they taught me and my friends all the things with sincerity. It is easy to learn when you are comfortable with all of the instructors. I am very happy that the number of my friends is increasing day by day. The experience of repairing a bicycle is one of the excuses to be able to communicate with people and be happy with them and I am very happy.