Owning a set of wheels can mean freedom to get around town, see friends, or travel to and from a job. At the Urban Bike Project (UBP) in downtown Wilmington, they believe two wheels is all you need.
Laura Wilburn, the nonprofit’s executive director, knows from experience; she has never owned a car. Her mission is to introduce residents in nearby neighborhoods to the joys and benefits of cycling and, more importantly, help them afford and maintain their bikes.
From its earliest days, UBP has run programs to collect donated bicycles to refurbish and to teach kids how to repair them. During her decade-long tenure, Wilburn says she’s seen the nonprofit upgrade locations and expand programming.
One common misconception, she points out, is that the UPB centers on kids. While it does aim to empower youth to enjoy riding bikes, staff actually work more with adults, especially those in recovery from substance abuse, who were formerly incarcerated, or who are experiencing homelessness. Since many of these folks have difficulty getting driver’s licenses, UBP helps provide them with another way to get around safely.
Additionally, for residents who don’t own a vehicle, the city’s public transportation is not as robust as in larger metro areas, Wilburn notes.
“The thing I’m most passionate about is mobility as a fundamental right, that people should not have to afford a car to be able to get where they need to go,” she says. “I think a vibrant, healthy community is one where people can move outside their homes.”
UBP’s programming now includes a summer camp where kids of all ages learn how to build and repair bikes and spend time outside having fun. One camp open to more experienced cyclists includes a 30-mile ride and an overnight stay at Lums Pond State Park.
For those who might favor dirt over pavement, UBP hosts a youth mountain biking team that introduces city kids to a new kind of riding. (Meeting specific participation requirements might even score them a new mountain bike at the end of the program.)
Back at its headquarters on North Walnut Street, the space overflows with rows and rows of bikes in various states of repair, bike parts, and specialized tools. Throughout the year, UBP volunteers collect used bicycles, which they then repair and sell at affordable prices. A holiday program also distributes bikes to youth in need. Proceeds from sales of refurbished bikes support programming.
D’Mitri Marks, a volunteer-turned-shop manager, says he enjoys tinkering with mechanical devices and science projects. Before he came to UBP, he’d watch YouTube videos to figure out how to repair his own bike. His research landed him in the shop, where he’s been for almost three years.
UBP board member Doug Tynan is a big proponent of the benefits of cycling and is especially passionate about introducing it to kids, he says. He sees it as a way they can expand their worlds while enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of more exercise.
“To me, it reflects a level of independence, the ability to control your own destiny a little bit,” Tynan says.
Wilburn echoes the joy of riding. “Many times, in my 12 years working here, I’ve heard people say, ‘I feel like a kid again.’”
To learn more or to volunteer, email info@urbanbikeproject.com.
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