![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Bike_mechanic_at_a_local_bike_shop.jpg/220px-Bike_mechanic_at_a_local_bike_shop.jpg)
A bicycle mechanic or bike mechanic is a mechanic who can perform a wide range of repairs on bicycles.
Classification and wages
[edit]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."[1]
Skills and training
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/CALIFORNIA_-_NARA_-_542799.jpg/220px-CALIFORNIA_-_NARA_-_542799.jpg)
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
[edit]- ^ Bicycle repairers (.pdf) New York State Department of Labor "Occupational Brief"
- ^ Andrews, Guy (2014). Bike Mechanic: Tales from the Road and the Workshop. VeloPress. ISBN 9781937715182.
- ^ Barnett, John (2003). Barnett's Manual: Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics. VeloPress. ISBN 1-931382-29-8.
- ^ Connellan, I et al. (2001), Lonely Planet Cycling Britain (Cycling Guides), Lonely Planet Publications, ISBN 1-86450-037-9
- ^ Ballantine, Richard (2001). Richard's 21st Century Bicycle Book. Overlook TP. ISBN 1-58567-112-6.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Zinn, Lennard (2013). Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide. VeloPress. ISBN 9781934030981.
- ^ Zinn, Lennard (2010). Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance. VeloPress. ISBN 9781934030592.