The Mechanics
MATTEO
Learned bikes at Bike Pirates for 2 years. than set out at 19-23 cycling Toronto – Miami twice, and Mexico to Guatemala. worked for a bike shop outside of New Orleans for a year (Brooks Bike shop) fixed my own bike on the road, worked at MEC in Toronto for a winter as a Bike Mechanic. and started my business in 2014 and been learning more since then.
I hope to start a project helping young folk find the means to become inspired by the worlds story to take their place in it making it a better place (rite of passage guidance/inspiration) type thing.
PERCY
I’ve been working on bicycles for a solid lifetime. My solid lifetime, at least (or half of it, you get the point!)
Anyways, it has been more than ten years since my mum told me to head to Bike Pirates and build myself a bike. It was either that or walk – she was done paying for the ttc.
I seem to remember crying a lot in the early days of building bikes. They can be unmanageable, finicky creatures with little regard for the time and soul of the mechanic trying to parlay with them.
Wheel truing, bottom brackets and oh-so-many little movings parts. I even wrote a song about my frustration with them!
JULIEN
From racing raindrops down Provence hills as a fearless kid to now zipping around the bustling streets of Toronto, bikes have always been my trusty sidekicks. My real journey into bike repair began during my extended bike journeys, where I sharpened my skills dealing with maintenance issues. Every twist of the wrench felt like preparing for my next big adventure. Since then, I’ve also been busy at a bike shop downtown and enjoyed the process of bringing vintage bikes back to their former glory for bike lovers across ontario.
These days, though, I keep Toronto cruisin’ and bruisin’, one bike at a time.
ARNE
My love of cycling started with a little red pedal car that I drove into the ground before I was 5. Ever since my first bike, I learned how to ride, fix and modify my bicycle. The “Big wheel” cemented my love for all things pedal powered and the stage was set. While schooling for Mechanical Engineering, I completed both a recumbent tricycle and a tube chassis dune buggy for 2nd and 3rd year mechanical design projects. Ever since then, I have continued to design, engineer and prototype my own pedal and powered vehicle designs.
Our Story
It all began with Matteo’s passion for bikes and his vision to provide convenient and reliable repair services. Starting as a solo venture, Matteo dedicated himself to building a successful mobile bicycle repair business over the course of 5/6 years. As demand grew, so did the team, with more mechanics joining to meet the needs of our expanding customer base. This year marks a significant milestone as we transition from a single ownership model to a worker’s cooperative, embodying our commitment to collaboration, sustainability, and community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster a sustainable and inclusive cycling culture by providing convenient and reliable repair services directly to our community. As a worker-owned cooperative, we are committed to promoting economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Through our cooperative structure, we prioritize the well-being and empowerment of our workers, ensuring fair wages, democratic decision-making, and opportunities for professional growth. By valuing the expertise and dedication of our team, we deliver high-quality service while upholding principles of equity and solidarity.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive cycling community. We prioritize accessibility by offering mobile services that reach diverse neighborhoods and populations. By breaking down barriers to bike repair and maintenance, we empower individuals of all backgrounds to enjoy the benefits of cycling.