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Just in time for summer biking season, Second Mile Bicycles is officially open for business in the ATLAS Ministries and Redeemed Remnants building on Maple Street in Luverne.
Based on Jesus’ motion in Matthew 5:41 to “go the extra mile” with people in need, Second Mile Bicycles is a repair center helping to make bicycles available to people who need them.
According to the website, “This ministry aims to put bicycles in the hands of people with no access to a vehicle, repair bicycles for the public, and refurbish bicycles at a reasonable cost for resale at Redeemed Remnants.”
While the objective is to help people in need, it’s filling a general need in the community for skilled bicycle repair services, especially after Ken Petersen of Ken’s Bike Shop retired and moved from town last year.
“We’ve been fixing quite a few, so far 35 this summer,” said Michael Blank, ATLAS ministries director and staff mentor.
“I get a lot of people who call and ask, ‘What is this going to cost?’ and very simply, it’s whatever the cost of the parts are and we mark them up 30 percent. That’s what you pay. You don’t pay for any labor. This is a ministry.”
For example, to replace a tube would cost someone the price of the tube (plus tax) and an additional $1.80 for ATLAS. The labor is donated.
“So really I think that’s pretty reasonable,” Blank said.
Five people with ATLAS trained with Center of Hope in Sioux Fall to become qualified for bike repair and tune-up work.
In addition to Blank, trained bike repairmen include Todd Mann, Eugene Marshall, John Hilfer, Tom Rolfs, Ted Berghorst, Mark Clifford and Greg Hoogeveen.
Volunteers are at the bike shop Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Saturdays.
When the bikes are dropped off, they get a write-up sheet specifying service needs, typically tires, tubes, breaks and chains.
When the volunteers come in, they check the sheet and complete the repairs. Many people donate bikes to be repaired and sold for ATLAS. Those that aren’t reparable are scrapped for metal or parts.
“But we do repurpose quite a few bikes,” Blank said.
“One thing I didn’t expect is that when bikes go over to Redeemed Remants, they’re not there very long.”
Hoogeveen, who manages Redeemed Remnants, said the bikes are priced to be affordable for families.
“For most bikes, they’re $45 to $100. For kids’ bikes, it’s $15 to $20,” he said. “It’s pretty reasonable.”
The southwest corner of the building is walled off to allow for secure storage of bikes awaiting repairs.
Call 507-449-5777 or visit atlasofrockcounty.org.