New Bike Tech Class Offered at Inderkum High School

Instructor Brian Ray hosts a Bike Tech open house at Inderkum on Monday, August 18. / Photo: Dan Motherspaw

BY ABBEY HARDING, NNTMA
FOR THE NATOMAS BUZZ| @natomasbuzz

A new Bike Tech class is being offered this year at Inderkum High School.

The class is a partnership between the North Natomas Transportation Management Association and Natomas Unified School District.

Bike Tech is a course similar to auto shop in structure.

Students will be taught the mechanical fundamentals of bicycle assembly and repair as well as safe cycling habits, environmental awareness, and healthy living.

By the end of the semester-long course, students will know how to disassemble, assemble, repair and troubleshoot different types of bicycles.

This class is meant to prepare students to work as entry-level mechanics in the cycling industry, as well as introduce internship and career opportunities they can pursue in the future. Students will also be learn about careers in the cycling industry such as engineering, fabrication, sales, marketing, film-making, graphic art, and writing for publication.

A pilot Bike Tech class was offered over the summer, taught by Brian Ray, who said he had his hands full when the students arrived on the first day.

“All of the students came into the class knowing very little about bicycles, or even mechanic fundamentals,” Ray said.

But after 60 hours of instruction, Ray said the students “all left the class with the skills necessary for internships in bicycle shops.”

Added student Daniel Lan, “I liked the class. I learned all kinds of stuff: how to change a tire, work on the brakes, work on a headset….. I’m going to tell my friends, ‘If you want to get around places, get a bike! They don’t pollute and they are easy to fix if you know how.’ I’m going to bike more this summer.”

Ray is continuing as class instructor for the 2014-15 school year.