First of all, if you’re interested in bike maintenance, repair, or cycling in general as a mode of transportation in Fayetteville, you need to get familiar with Bike City on Center Street.

In addition to selling refurbished bikes, used parts and accessories, the non-profit bicycle “recyclery” also has a variety of community programs dedicated to helping local folks become self-sufficient when it comes to bike maintenance and repair in order to create a safer, healthier community.

On Monday, July 26, they’ll introduce a new program called “Women’s Open Shop,” dedicated to addressing the needs of female cyclists who’d like to learn more about how to maintain their bike.

Female volunteer mechanics will be on hand to help attendees learn how to fix a flat, replace a rusty chain, tune up shifting, service bearings, repaint a frame, and more. The shops will take place on the last Monday of every month from 1-7 p.m.

Andrea McCann, the coordinator of Women’s Open shop said the idea is to encourage more participation in their free maintenance programs from women cyclists in town.

“There are so many women riding bikes in Fayetteville, and we don’t see as many of them in our community tools workshops as we’d like to,” McCann said. “We’re right on the trail, so we know they are out there.”

McCann said that free childcare will be available during the classes to help accommodate the schedules of busy moms.

Women’s Open Shop is free to participants, but tax-deductable donations are accepted to help keep expand Bike City’s community-focused programs.

Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to help cultivate the Women’s Open Shop program. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, you can volunteer online, or call 479-521-2020.