New Haven Independent

Sara Kirschner (pictured) was one of three female “wrenches” — i.e., mechanics — servicing three dozen cyclists at the corner of Ferry Street and Grand Avenue. They’re part of the Chainbreakers, a group of self-described young women and queers who fix bikes and hold a monthly potluck and repair class open to women, and gay, bi- and trans people. Their goal is to empower people to fix their own bikes and to teach others to do the same. The Sunday clinic was held in conjunction with Unidad Latina en Accion, an immigrant rights group in New Haven; flyers were posted in both Spanish and English.

Organizers hung a bike up in a tree on the corner to attract customers.

The clinic was almost overwhelmed from the minute it opened. Some people rode their bikes over, like Fair Havener Luz Miranda (pictured after Kirschner trued her tire, eliminating the wobbling and rubbing against the frame).

Others, like Orlando Rodriguez (pictured checking his tire pressure after learning to use the tire pump) brought their bikes over in a car. His grandma, Maria Melendez, said she got a flyer from someone at her church, Sacred Heart, in the Hill. And after she picked up a used bike for Orlando at a church tag sale and noticed it had front brakes but no rear brakes, she thought the bike repair clinic would be just the thing. Asked by a reporter if he knew what could happen if he squeezed the brakes and only the front wheel stopped, Orlando said he did. “You could fly over the handlebars.” Fortunately, he hadn’t experienced this himself.

It turned out the bike needed more work than could be done on Sunday afternoon, so Melendez said she’d come to a future Chainbreakers workshop to learn more.

Pictured in the middle of the crowd is Kale Edmiston, the Chainbreaker who inspired and helped organize of the event, with support from Elm City Cycling and The Devil’s Gear.

Another customer who brought not one, but two, bikes over in her car was youth advocate Kaye Harvey (pictured). She lives nearby and hustled down with her and her husband’s bikes when cycling advocate Paul Hammer stopped by to tell her about the event. She said, a little sheepishly, that her bike had a flat tire, “from lack of use.” She’s pictured getting ready to pump up the tire to see if it needed anything besides air.

Anthony Hodge (pictured), who lives on Saltonstall Street nearby, came at the suggestion of his counselor. He got a free helmet — which he had requested, engendering some hope among the volunteers that he’d actually wear it — as well as a light, which he’s holding, and a bell for his bike.

Chainbreaker Sarah Perkins (pictured) was trying to keep track of how many cyclists they’d seen and the work performed. She estimated they worked on three dozen bikes and had a total of about 55 people. That’s a cheat sheet of the names of bike parts in Spanish on the table.

Luis (pictured), a member of Unidad Latina en Accion, helped publicize the event. He knew first-hand the importance of bike safety. “I had a bike accident three weeks ago,” he said. It was a hit and run at night and he wasn’t wearing a helmet, nor did his bike have lights. He missed so much work while recovering that he lost his job, he said. He’s since bought a helmet.

Luis was pleased at the turnout. He also said he hopes to see the city put more things in place to increase safety for cyclists. “More bike lanes would be great,” he said, but even some signs to say “share the road” would be an improvement.

As the clinic was winding down, Perkins said, “The heavens opened and it started pouring rain, but the sun stayed out and there was a rainbow over our heads. It was a perfect ending.” She added, “I’m so enthusiastic about this event I can’t stop talking about it. We’ll definitely do it again, probably in different neighborhoods.”