Bicycle mechanic

A bicycle mechanic or bike mechanic is a mechanic who can perform a wide range of repairs on bicycles.

A bicycle mechanic at a local bike shop.

Classification and wages

The New York State Department of Labor describes bicycle repair as a "realistic" occupation, meaning an occupation that would be enjoyed by somebody who likes "practical, hands-on problems," dealing with "real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery," and one that "does not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others." They classify it as a job that "usually requires a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed. Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees." They indicate an annual wage in the neighborhood of $25,000, but can earn up to a little more than $40,000. "In 2002, employment for bicycle repairers in New York was 360."

Skills and training

Repair shop in California, 1972

The skills involved in maintaining racing bicycles and other specialized bicycles of course go beyond the basics outlined in New York's "occupational brief." In Canada there are a variety of bicycle mechanic training programs, including the BAM (Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance) program in Toronto which has been accredited by the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) and funded by the Ontario government.

References

1. ^ Bicycle repairers (.pdf) New York State Department of Labor "Occupational Brief"
2. ^ Andrews, Guy (2014). Bike Mechanic: Tales from the Road and the Workshop. VeloPress. ISBN 9781937715182.
3. ^ Barnett, John (2003). Barnett's Manual: Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics. VeloPress. ISBN 1-931382-29-8.
4. ^ Connellan, I et al. (2001), Lonely Planet Cycling Britain (Cycling Guides), Lonely Planet Publications, ISBN 1-86450-037-9
5. ^ Ballantine, Richard (2001). Richard's 21st Century Bicycle Book. Overlook TP. ISBN 1-58567-112-6.
6. ^ Sutherland, Howard (1995). Sutherland's Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics. Sutherland Publications. ISBN 0-914578-09-X. Archived from the original on 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
7. ^ Zinn, Lennard (2013). Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide. VeloPress. ISBN 9781934030981.
8. ^ Zinn, Lennard (2010). Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance. VeloPress. ISBN 9781934030592.