Eugene Bicycle Works (EBW) is another Rain Umbrella project located at our Center for Appropriate Transport (CAT) facility. Through the EBW project, the public is introduced to Rain projects through tours, literature, classes, and educational displays using hardware and graphics. EBW serves as the interface between the community and Rain projects at the CAT. Here the public can see how they can participate in human-powered vehicle use for a less polluted, safer and more energy-efficient future. EBW volunteers offer help and answer questions for the drop-in public.

EBW provides the following to the community:

(1) Community bicycle-repair workspace, providing tools, workstands and volunteer technicians to assist the public with repairs (see photo and flyer).

(2) Classes for children and adults in bicycle repair, maintenance, bike safety, bicycle design, function, construction, and proper use of tools. EBW has loaned its collection of unconventional bicycles and tricycles to CAT volunteers making presentations at local schools. In August, EBW presented maintenance classes to a two-week day camp program. 19 children received 2 hours of bicycle repair instruction, including one hour of hands-on repair on their own bicycles.

(3) Alternative human-powered designs are available for people unable to use conventional designs (see photos). Also available are designs specifically suited for local community use and needs. These designs are available to be rented. Operations and vehicle maintenance are performed by volunteers and interns. These non-conventional designs are particularly suited for:

(a) The Elderly: tricycles and electric-assist vehicles.
(b) Those suffering from back and knee injuries: Recumbent bicycles, tricycles, tandems and load carrying bikes.
(c) Paraplegics: Arm-powered recumbent tricycles.
(d) Wrist, Arm, Shoulder motion constrained individuals: recumbent designs with many different handlebar configurations.
(e) Equilibrium disorders: recumbent tricycles.
(f) Utility bikes, trailers and load carrying accessories for low-income people, who need to carry loads, without access to motorized vehicles.
(g) Municipal and local organizations evaluating low-cost, non-petroleum based transport (see article on Parking Control Officer tricycle).
(h) the blind, using tandems with volunteer sighted cyclists as part of an activity known as EyeCycle.
(i) youth looking for self-starting job opportunities, using insulated utility bicycle.
(j) Paraplegics that must travel in a wheelchair: platform tricycle constructed at CAT.

Many and eventually all of these vehicles, including trailers and accessories, will be designed and manufactured through public involvement in CAT educational projects (see previous description of HOP). EBW makes these designs available for sale: assembly, preparation and sales procedures are performed by volunteers and interns as part of their training in shop organization.

Rentals and sales help to get these designs onto the streets and into the public eye, facilitating public education on the great range in form and function of non-motorized transport.

(4) Public displays and design museum: EBW acquires and displays rare and innovative bicycle designs, serving as a resource for the public, and others, studying bicycle design and construction at CAT.

A public meeting area/cafe-style counter with stools surrounding the public bicycle repair area (see photos) provides an informal, non-commercial space for cyclists to gather and share information about cycling. Cycling magazines, books, newspapers, flyers and memorabilia from around the world stimulate discussion.

Hundreds of square feet of wall space are dedicated to educating the public on transportation issues. Statistical graphics, informative posters, and cycling artwork by schoolchildren and adults are among the varied displays. EBW is in the process of creating photo documentation of cycling and cyclists in Eugene. This display will stimulate appreciation for local bicycle culture. Photos are developed and printed in the CAT darkroom by volunteers and interns. These photos will be available in postcards for sale, to raise funds and public awareness of cycling.