Our shop is open for public services on Thursdays from 12-5:30pm for Public Bike Services.
Open shop services are available by appointment only. Please note: we are experiencing high demand for our services. Appointment times are booked on a first come, first served basis, and are often full.
What you need to know:
All appointments must be booked in advance. Schedule your booking here onlineor call us at 204-296-3389, ext. 0.
We reserve the right to prioritize services for those with more need.
Services offered during Open Shop include; Bike Repairs, Part Sales, Bike Builds ($40, including a bike lock), and Ready-To-Ride Bike Sales.
Location: 1057 Logan Avenue in the basement of the Animal Services Building.
WHEELS OF COURAGE (WoC) is the WRENCH’s community leadership volunteer program! Today we’re introducing you to one of the projects currently on the go and the WoC participant who is managing it. VERO WARKENTIN is a recent returnee to Manitoba and signed on with WoC after spending the summer working as a mechanic at the WRENCH.
Vero has recruited some fellow Wrenchers and local artists to create beautiful artbikes that will be raffled off, with proceeds going to another Logan Ave. organization — drop-in and resource centre Sunshine House, Inc! Keep reading for a Q&A with Vero.
Q: How did you come up with your project idea?
A: In 2019, I volunteered for the Rainbow Railroad Gala and loved every part of it: the mission, the people, the party, the camaraderie. I was determined to help for the next year. When the pandemic began, the need to support vulnerable communities was magnified. I wanted to create an event that would both support and foster the 2SLGBTQIA community with bikes, and building colourful, proud and magnificently artful bikes was a no-brainer. I’ve been creative my entire life, and that spark has been seen and fanned by incredible artists and teachers in the past. This project is my turn to inspire. For me its less about my own ability to create art, and more about my recognition of the artists in my life and directing the huge impact art can have.
Q: Who are the artists you’ve enlisted?
A: So far, we have a collection of artists, mechanics and artist-mechanics giving their time to this project. Keira Friesen is a potter and mixed media artist who incorporates organic and natural forms in her work. Kevin Celestino is a WoC mentee, fellow Wrencher and visual artist. Leslie Parisien is a fellow WoC mentee and Wrencher, and sometimes textile artist. Sarah Thiessen is a creative jack of all trades, creating visual art, sculptures and performance art to delight and dazzle.
Q: What is an artbike?
A: An artbike is kind of how it sounds: a bike, but art! You could say it’s a type of kinetic sculpture. A bike that is still rideable that looks like a dragon, or has been yarnbombed, or has been painted, or welded up to be a giant man powered parade float — these are all artbikes. It also doesn’t have to be a special occasion bike. You could ride a sparkle unicorn bike with streamer tail to the office every day. I know I would.
Q: Why did you choose Sunshine House as the beneficiary of the funds you are raising?
A: Sunshine House is a vivid space that supports the community as they are. It makes room for whole people with all of our complications, experiences, expressions. At the base of it, bikes are like this too: freedom on wheels, for everyone. It’s a great pairing, and I’m so excited about the possibilities for our Pride Ride in June, the wrap up celebration after the raffle is completed in May.
The WRENCH is seeking an Indigenous Mentor for our Wheels of Courage (WoC) Community Leadership program.
Term Position: Starting as soon as possible, until March 31, 2022, with possibility for renewal.
$17-19/hr
Full time (35-40 hrs/week)
Health benefits available after probation period.
Wheels of Courage is a free, 9 month volunteer program at the WRENCH for young people (ages 15-30) who love bikes and want to use them as a tool for personal growth and social change. WoC participants gain exclusive access to a diverse array of skill-building workshops as well as support and funding to develop their own Community Projects.
Working under the direction of the WoC Program Coordinator, the Indigenous Mentor will be part of a team dedicated to helping youth gain valuable skills and focus their passion for bicycles into meaningful, hands-on service opportunities. Mentors will assist youth in identifying issues of concern in their communities and then taking action through self directed Community Projects.
On Sunday March 21st, 2021, WILD RIDE made its debut as a part of Cinematheque’s Bicycle Film Fest! WILD RIDE was produced by The WRENCH’s Just Cycle Program at Marymound School. Director Christine Fellows worked with students to create the stop motion film; with original music by Christine Fellows and Jason Tait. Just Cycle is generously supported by Canada’s Youth Justice Fund.
Enjoy!
Date produced: March 2021 Director: Christine Fellows Artistic Collaborators: The students of Room 12 at Marymound School, WRENCH staff, Marymound staff Music: Christine Fellows and Jason Tait Audio mix: Jason Tait Post-production assistance: Alicia Smith Running time: 2:49
Cycle of Giving+Moving On Up is a wrap! (Aside from all the deliveries that will happen in the coming weeks.)
Thank you to our incredible community. We did this together.
We received over $10000 in donations from over 150 donors. What an incredible launch to our building fundraising campaign!
We also want to again thank all our sponsors: HLC, Pollard Banknote, Assiniboine Credit Union, Emterra, Payworks, Urban Systems, and Johnston Group.
Thanks also to our amazing partners, Natural Cycle, Mountain Equipment Coop, Bikes and Beyond, Martha Street Studio, and Graffiti Art Programming.
Thanks to artists Kiana Compton, Marco Muller, Sarah Thiessen and Matea Radic for contributing to our incentive giving plan!
Thank you to Anna Weier for writing a piece about us in the Winnipeg Free Press. At least one donor was introduced to our work through that article!
Thank you to DJs Shael, Two Topping, Cadence, Justin Bear, and Equanim for leading the party last night, and to Justin Larivee for designing and delivering a night to remember. You are incredible.
Thank you for feeding and watering us! Oh Doughnuts, Tall Grass Prairie Bakery, Organic Planet, One Great City, Barnhammer, and Half Pints.
And thank you to everyone who offered storytelling about about the cycling community, activism, and associated work in Winnipeg. We learned so much!
All raffle winners and tshirt recipients will receive a call or email on next steps to receive your item(s). Distribution will begin Tuesday- but we ran out of shirts! So, some will receive theirs a little later. (Sarah has graciously agreed to make some more.)
Thanks once again to the mechanics who built from their home shops. We will do some sharing of the delivery work on social media over the coming weeks so you can all follow along. Thanks also to everyone who made holiday cards. They are on their way out as well!
Thank you again for your generosity. While our incentive giving plan is now closed, you can support The WRENCH at any moment through CanadaHelps
Donate and receive a charitable tax receipt
Donate without incentive gifts: Thank you so much for your contribution! To receive a charitable tax receipt, donate online to The WRENCH through Canada Helps.
On Saturday December 5, the WRENCH is celebrating 10 years of the Cycle of Giving. This year, we’ve launched our building fundraising campaign- Moving On Up as a part of this event.
Why a building fundraiser?
We want classroom, bike building, and retail spaces that are accessible, and that feel comfortable and inspiring for all Winnipeggers to visit and use. That means moving above ground! Our current space, located under the Animal Services building on Logan presents challenges for accessibility, isn’t big enough, and doesn’t allow for sunlight in our work spaces.
What is Cycle of Giving?
Cycle of Giving is symbolic of The WRENCH’s core work- salvaging bikes and parts from our local landfill and recycling sites, and putting them to the best use possible so that every Winnipegger can get around the city cheaply, while helping the planet. Hundreds of volunteers have supported Cycle of Giving over the years in a 24 hour build a thon, building bikes with recycled parts at Orioles Community Centre and then distributing them to partner organisations, schools, kids, and families.
What’s different this year?
This year, the project is even more heart warming. To keep covid safe, our friends and partner organisations have taken it upon themselves to receive bike frames and parts into their home based and private shops; and have been building since the beginning of November. This decentralised build will culminate on December 5, a day of simultaneous bike building at shops throughout the city.
In the days leading up to December 5, The WRENCH will be broadcasting stories over social media that celebrate the histories of Winnipeg bike culture and activism; as we continue to re-vision and work towards a more bike friendly city.
Thank you to our sponsors
We wish to extend a big thank you to our sponsors for helping make Cycle of Giving a reality for the city of Winnipeg!
Does your bicycle have trouble coming to a stop? Is there a loud squealing noise when you squeeze your brakes? Ever wondered what the difference between a cantilever and a V-brake is? Then this is the workshop for you!
Happening Saturday September 26th, 1-3PM. This workshop will be held outdoors, at The WRENCH’s Forks location!
All about brakes, this workshop will help you learn about different types of brakes found on bicycles, how they work, and how to repair them! From levers to calipers and everything in between.
Workshop is free (donations always welcome), no registration or previous experience necessary.
*Note this workshop will not focus on hydraulic disc brakes.
With the pandemic having disrupted much of our regular summer programming, we’ve been unable to move the hundreds of kids bikes that we’d usually donate throughout the summer. The number of bikes is starting to pile up at the landfill, so it’s time for…
Empty the Fill: Back 2 School Build-a-thon!
We’re calling on volunteers (like you!) to come out to the Brady 4R Depot (1777 Brady Rd) on the weekend of September 12 & 13, 2020 to help us refurbish as many kids bikes as possible, which will then be donated to kids who might not otherwise have the chance of owning a bike.
There are plenty of ways that volunteers of all skill levels can contribute to this fun community event!
Delivering Bicycles (from Brady to various locations in Winnipeg) Note: Volunteers with trucks are extra helpful here! Friday, Sept 18 9-1 Friday, Sept 18 1-5
COVID-19 Safety Procedures: We’ll be going above and beyond provincial safety guidelines with the event for everyone’s safety. The event will be held outdoors, with plenty of space between each repair stand, and a full set of tools per station. Volunteer Mechanics will work individually at a stand, unless they are in a pod/bubble together (family, partners, roommates, etc). Everyone will be required to answer a short COVID-19 questionnaire upon arrival.
Rides / Carpooling: If you have room in your vehicle and are willing to offer a ride to another volunteer, please let us know! We ask that when giving rides you maintain as much physical distance with the other person as possible (front seat/back seat). We can also give you disinfecting spray which is to be used on the commonly touched surfaces in your car, and masks to wear while inside the vehicle. If you are in need of a ride, please let us know and we will do our best to find another volunteer willing to help you.
So… you in?? Please email Jon at cog@thewrench.ca with your preferred shifts before they all fill up!
Back to School?! More like BIKE TO SCHOOL! (Or work!) Join us for this FREE workshop. Learn fantastic tips and tricks to make commuting by bicycle a fun, healthy and stress-free part of your life! In this workshop, you will be able to learn about, and discuss:
Commuting bikes
Clothing
Accessories to make your commute easier
Keeping your bike Safe
And More!
This workshop will be held outdoors, at The WRENCH’s Forks location! Space is limited! Please sign-up to reserve a spot! Email merrill@thewrench.ca to save a spot for yourself!
Empty the Fill: Back 2 School Build-a-thon! 