In August 2005 in his regular Monday column Norm Julian wrote that the impending $3/gallon gas wasn't going to be a problem for those who get around under their own power. On a quiet night in Star City 10 year old Tyler was riding around the neighborhood on a bike with no working brakes or shifters. Nick Hein and John Lozier got together in the evening with Tyler to fix his bike so he could use it safely. They assumed there were probably other kids riding unsafe bikes who would benefit from a community bike shop where they could learn to fix bikes for other people in exchange for the chance to earn a bike of their own.
On August 29 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and priorities changed. Refugees were being housed at Camp Dawson and an emergency call was put out to gather bikes for the children in the camp so they would have something to do. When another charity provided enough bikes for those needs, plans were changed to collect and fix the donated bikes to send them directly to the Gulf Coast where relief workers and returning residents could use them for basic transportation. About 50 kids' bikes were fixed and shipped to Gulf Coast Relief Stations through ÒFeed the ChildrenÓ. Another 85 adult bikes had been collected and these were driven directly to the French Quarter in New Orleans by Hein and Lozier where they spent 5 days at ÒPlan BÓ - a local community bike shop. The time was used to fix bikes for aid workers and returning residents who had no other transportation.
Upon returning it was learned that a space in Grand Central Station had been donated where Positive Spin could make a permanent home. At the same time a local bike shop was closing its doors and made salvaged store fixtures, parts and complete bikes available to help start the enterprise. The first job was helping Tau Beta Pi engineering society fix bikes to donate to local charities for Christmas. Although the students had energy and enthusiasm, with their limited space and experience they had only been able to finish one bike. Working together for an afternoon the 2 groups finished 8 bikes, and formed a lasting partnership.
Positive Spin has continued to work with other service and environmental groups, making bikes available for donation and fundraising Ð in exchange for volunteer time. This supports our mission of getting people where they need to go, while preserving a Morgantown's nature and community.
In addition to shop and information services for customers, we work with government and citizen organizations to improve local bike, pedestrian and transit infrastructure and amenities.