Opening new doors

Meet Edgewater College’s new bike mechanics

A visit to Edgewater College’s Enviro group led two students somewhere they did not expect: a bike workshop.
Kelvin Aris, Coordinator at Bike Hub Pakuranga, had come along with an Auckland Council Enviroschools facilitator to talk about the Thursday after school bike mechanic sessions he runs at the hub. During the kōrero, he encouraged more girls to give it a go, acknowledging that bike mechanics is still a space where women are less visible.

Two students, Stefe Poila and Sarah Fonua put their hands up straight away.

For the next six weeks, they learned by doing. They changed tyres, adjusted chains, set seats and handlebars, and worked out why a bike was not running properly.

“Mrs Hinestroza brought this opportunity to our AWHI Enviro Club, and Sarah and I wanted to be good environmental role models. We wanted to serve our community while learning more about sustainable transport. After six weeks at the Bike Hub, I feel more confident and proud that we can help fix bikes and encourage others to ride too.”
— Stefe Poila

By the end of the programme, they had repaired eight bikes. And the idea is growing, with Edgewater now looking at how bike mechanic skills could become part of learning at the college.

Eight bikes back in use

The repaired bikes did not stay in the workshop. 

They were given to students at Edgewater College, including the two students who had worked on them. 

For some whānau, the cost of getting to school can add pressure to the household budget. A bike gives students another way to make the trip.

Howick Local Board funded the bikes. Auckland Transport supplied heavy duty locks. Teacher Gloria Hinestroza organised a celebration at the school, where students could choose a bike that suited them.

Edgewater College has been on their Enviroschool's journey since 2022, where learning is not just about talking about change. It is about giving students the chance to try things, build skills and take action themselves. 

Gloria Hinestroza, AWHI Enviro Club and Science Teacher at Edgewater College, describes the bike mechanics programme as a valuable opportunity for students to build practical skills while contributing to sustainability.

“This is a valuable opportunity for students to develop practical skills while contributing to sustainability in a way that aligns with our individual values and the values of Edgewater College. With support from Sustainable Schools opportunities, including the Mana Ora funding we recently secured, we look forward to continuing and expanding this mahi.”

For these two students, that started with saying yes to a bike mechanic session. 

Making room for more students 

The first six weeks may be over, but the idea has not stopped there. 

The project caught the attention of Christian Fischer, a technology teacher at Edgewater and a cyclist himself. He now wants to explore bringing bike mechanic skills into the school’s technology programme.

Christian Fischer, Technology Teacher at Edgewater College, describes the students' commitment to hands-on learning as a highlight of the programme.

"Many of these students first caught my attention in Year 9 because of their passion and commitment. At a time when so much of life is spent behind a screen, it's inspiring to see young people embrace hands on learning and gain confidence through practical, real-world skills."

Pakuranga Bike Hub has offered to help source equipment and run introductory training at the school. 
What started with two students giving bike mechanics a go could now become something many more students get the chance to learn. 

That matters because, as women mechanics elsewhere have pointed out, sometimes the first step is simply seeing that the workshop is a place you can belong.

Connect to your local community 

• Find your nearest bike hub. Get free tools, bike repair adice and support at bike hubs across Tāmaki Makaurau 
• Get your school involved. Explore Enviroschools and other Sustainable Schools programmes.
• Find a bike route. Explore Auckland’s cycling network and find a route that works for you.