We’re happy to report that our friend Sue Knaup and One Street Components have launched the Kickstarter campaign for the Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody. These levers feature a system design that can be easily repaired by just about anyone.
The project is nearly the end of the line on Kickstarter and needs your help. Even a $1 minimum pledge can help get this project rolling so that people everywhere have access to easily repairable bicycle components! Video after the jump
One thing we’ve noted with bicycles is that everything is getting a lot more complicated, especially when it comes to repair. This is no doubt good for the bike shops, but it can be bad for those who depend on a bicycle as a primary means of transportation.
It is a small problem for bicycle commuters in America when something breaks, as it means finding another way to work such as driving or taking mass transit. Generally riders in the developed world head to the shop and get the part fixed. In the developing world this isn’t so easy.
This is where One Street Components comes in with its Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody. Sue Knaup of One Street has worked hard to develop a simple shifter that is easy to make, easy to use and most importantly of all easy to fix.
“People who rely on their bicycle can only choose from ridiculously complex, expensive shift levers or ones made from plastic and pot metal,” said Sue Knaup, One Street’s executive director. “Both types break within a few months of daily use and cannot be repaired. That’s why these new shift levers are so important for keeping people pedaling.”
One Street has just launched a Kickstarter site to bring out the simple shifter. It could be a shift towards good for those who depend on a bicycle. Video after the jump
Getting bikes to those who need them is just one way that One Street helps, but now the organization has announced that it has launched a new program to help address the issue of what happens after bike parts wear out. Now the international bicycle advocacy nonprofit has launched One Street Components. This new components arm of the organization has become necessary as One Street’s Social Bike Business program provides durable transportation bikes to impoverished people in communities around the world.
Each local program starts by refurbishing used bikes as they move toward manufacturing their own steel frames, forks and racks. This local manufacturing will be necessary as the bike industry no longer produces quality, affordable transportation bikes. But an alarming pattern has been hindering even the refurbishing stage. Continue reading One Street Goes the Right Way By Launching Components Arm