bikes are the bomb

If you live in Boston, MA and you are trying to reduce your environmental impact by riding your bike around the city instead of driving, then you need to know about the Bikes Not Bombs bike shop. Not only do they sell excellent quality used bikes, they also do fantastic (and quick) bike repair and provide mechanic classes for adults. Bikes Not Bombs also has a youth training program, which provides a broad skills set to young people, so by supporting the BNB bike shop you are not only helping the environment, you are supporting youth development at the same time.

At the end of last week I hopped on my bike ready to get out and enjoy the weather and get a little exercise. Just as I prepared to pedal off, I looked down and noticed that my front brakes had completely snapped. So much for my afternoon ride.

The next day I took my bike to the BNB bike shop thinking that I would just drop it off and wait for them to call in a few days when my bike was fixed. A mere 20 minutes after I walked into the shop, not only were my front brakes fixed, but my rear brake cable had been replaced, my brakes were adjusted and my seat was stabilized (I didn't even know it was loose). Price for bike repairs? $14. Price for a summer's worth of riding around the city getting exercize, fresh air and saving on (well over $4/gallon) gas? Priceless.