Bike Farm launches pay-what-you-can wrench night for Spanish speakers

Wrench time at Bike Farm.
(Photo courtesy Bike Farm)

Portland’s volunteer-driven do-it-yourself bike repair shop kicked off 2015 with a cool initiative: a night for people who speak Spanish or are learning to.

Bike Farm’s second monthly Noche Bilingüe is Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Assuming interest keeps growing, it’ll continue on the second Tuesday of each month.

Bike Farm, located just north of NE Broadway at 1810 NE 1st Ave is a place where anyone can rent a repair stand for $5 an hour and use tools and free advice from volunteers and other users. You can also skip the hourly fees by purchasing a membership.

“We are looking for patrons as well as volunteers for greeting and wrenching, especially native Spanish speakers,” Bike Farm board member Diana Holland said in an email Wednesday about Noche Bilingüe. “Stand time will be by donation during the initial roll-out and as always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.”

Y en español, ella continuó: “Esta noche bilingüe se dedica a personas que hablen español o que quieran aprender a hablar español. Queremos crear una comunidad dedicada a la diversidad de idiomas, culturas e identidades. Bike Farm está comprometido en ofrecer un espacio seguro y acogedor para aprender a arreglar bicicletas. Cada segundo martes, 4:30-7:30 p.m.”

Another shot of Bike Farm in action.

This joins three other monthly events at Bike Farm:

• Women and Trans Wrench Night: every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
• Open Shop Night: Free stand time every 1st Thursday from 6-9pm
• Volunteer Orientation: 3rd Wednesday from 6:30pm to 7pm

Learn more at BikeFarm.org.