The AYLUS Bellaire Branch volunteered at Freewheels Houston to clean and restore bikes for refugees on November 16, 2024 from 9AM to 12PM. Freewheels Houston is a non-profit organization that repairs and builds bikes and gives them to refugees, veterans emerging from homelessness, and young people from low-income families. Their reliable hybrid and mountain bikes, donated by members of the community, give people a way to get to work, school and other destinations.
Volunteers were put into one group of two and group of three, with each group receiving a bike to wash and clean. They first started by taking off the brakes from the bike wheels and inflating the tires with air to 35 PSI. Then, they washed and scrubbed down the wheels with soap water and bike wash. On the main body of the bike, volunteers worked on scrubbing, degreasing, and removing rust off of small gears, the derailleur, handles, fenders, and other parts. Volunteers took apart the seat using wrenches and screwdrivers to put on reflectors and lights, and added grease. They also put on handle reflectors, lights, and bells.
After finishing the cleaning and repairs, volunteers used foil to remove rust and polish the metal handlebars, making the bikes look as good as new. Volunteers cleaned and restored 3 dirty and worn-down bikes in total to mint condition.
Volunteers:
9am – 12pm (3 hours): Miranda Wang, Kyle Tang, Catherine Slezak, Selina Yuan, Ryan T Li
Reported by Miranda Wang
