Charlie’s FreeWheels empowers youth through bike mechanics

WATCH: This free nine-week program allows students not only to work on a bike but also they get to keep it as a free way to travel around the city.

TORONTO – Charlie’s FreeWheels is a non-profit organization committed to fostering a spirit of exploration in today’s youth.

The main focus of the organization is its free, nine-week Build-A-Bike program.

“It was created to give kids an opportunity to own a bike by doing it for themselves,” said Sohel Imani, the lead mechanic for Charlie’s.

“It means a lot more than just buying a normal bike,” said Jaden Saunders, a participant of the Build-A-Bike program.

The workshops not only teach children and teens how to build their own bike by refurbishing a new one, but they also provide instruction on basic mechanics and safe riding skills.

“We’re trying to teach the kids self-reliance,” said Imani. “I’m trying to get the kids to understand that… just by building a bike and riding it around the city, they are being active members of the city, and that’s a really helpful tool towards their empowerment.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're trying to teach the kids self-reliance," said Imani. "I'm trying to get the kids to understand that… just by building a bike and riding it around the city, they are being active members of the city, and that's a really helpful tool towards their empowerment."

Ian Davidson is a special education teacher at Queen Alexandra Middle School, whose class participated in the program.

“My kids need to have that hands-on approach to building a bike, and seeing what they’ve done and taking that pride into it is phenomenal for these kids,” he said. “I see a big difference in their school work… they realize, ‘hey, this is my work. I wanna take pride into it.'”

Imani believes that this program is making a difference in youth’s lives.

“Not every kid’s gonna stay on their bike, but even one more kid who wants to ride his bike for the next 20 years, then I feel like we’ve done something here that’s important.”