January Volunteer Highlight: Salt Lake City

Each month, the Collective will feature a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution from one of the Bicycle Collective's four locations. 

Today, we feature a committed Salt Lake City volunteer, named Rob. Behind Rob is one of many bicycles he fixed up. To brag about him a little, he helped work on 73 bicycles that went out to folks in need of transportation in 2021. Thanks for bringing smiles to the shop and to our community members, Rob!

How did you get involved with the Collective?
I heard about the Collective from a friend that was both donating parts and getting other bike parts. That led me to donate a couple of bikes as well. I learned about the mechanic training class series that was every Monday evening at one point. I attended most of those and then went through the more formal mechanic training program circa 2014/15.

What do you enjoy most about the Collective?
Working on bikes and learning more about how to fix and better maintain them from the staff mechanics and other core volunteers.

How has cycling has impacted your life?
I learned how to ride a bike sometime around my fifth or sixth year. The freedom to go farther, faster and explore new places was amazing then and continues still.

What was your favorite bicycle you've owned?
I got a Schwinn Varsity when I was 12. I used it through Jr High, High School and the first couple of years at college. It served me well on many adventures.

What are some of your other hobbies?
I like most outdoor activities Nordic, Alpine, backcountry skiing and mountaineering, road biking and mountain biking, trail running, hiking, climbing, camping, river running and van life. I also like to eat and really enjoy cooking good food.