Man who refurbishes bikes for homeless could use a helping hand

The wheels of independence are spinning more slowly at The Bike Clinic these days.

Since 1993, the shop's sole wrench turner, Peter Sprunger-Froese, has been refurbishing secondhand bicycles and giving them away to the homeless, the broken and the downtrodden who need reliable transportation but lack the means to pay for it.

But requests for his volunteer services have mushroomed in tandem with the bad economy.

"I have an inordinate number of people asking for bikes that had a car or a home until very recently but lost their jobs, had their cars repossessed and no longer have money for rent," he said.

About a dozen people a day now appeal to Sprunger-Froese to assemble bikes from discarded carcasses and innards that bike shops and individuals donate. That's about double the normal traffic, Sprunger-Froese said Thursday, while juggling the requests of three people who stopped by the shop under the Colorado Avenue bridge.

The increased demand has created a waiting list of 73 people in need of bikes, and Sprunger-Froese's good Samaritan efforts now consume 60 to 80 hours of his time each week.

So the former seminarian, teacher and lifelong advocate for the poor now finds himself in need. Last week, Sprunger-Froese asked local organizations that help the homeless to consider donating money to pay for another bike mechanic. Sprunger-Froese himself plans to continue building and maintaining bikes as a volunteer.

"Furnishing second-hand bikes is an important aspect in human uplift - as important as providing a roof, food and counseling," he said. "People see bikes as a secondary need, not a basic need, but I would dispute that. The bike is a means to an end - to finding a job, more food and being self-sufficient."

Although Sprunger-Froese said the response from community organizations has been positive, no commitment for funding has materialized. He isn't even sure how much money is needed to support a salaried mechanic - just "enough for someone to be able to pay their bills." He hopes to have someone in the pipeline by September.

The Bike Clinic provides a worthy service to those who have no or low income, said Bob Holmes, executive director of Homeward Pikes Peak, an agency that coordinates local homeless services.

"Peter has boiled down his calling or his propensity to help the homeless to something incredibly practical," Holmes said. "He's the real deal."

Sprunger-Froese's Luddite shop has no phone and no set hours, and is lined with a collection of hand-written sayings, such as "Love everyone as if you're walking in their shoes." So those who come to the door receive more than two wheels. They get a little advice, a little encouragement and a lot of smiles because "so many are friendless," said Sprunger-Froese, who has used a bike as his primary mode of transportation for 35 years.

"To be a friend is important here."

His cause has the support of Criterium Bike Shops, which has paid The Bike Clinic's monthly rent for 16 years and regularly donates used bike parts and frames.

"We're in business to make money, but we understand there are people in this community that can't afford to buy a bike but still deserve to ride a bike and need transportation," said Chris Behm, a senior staff member at Criterium. "Peter does that out of the kindness of his heart."

About 14 reconditioned bikes leave Sprunger-Froese's shop each week, and those on the receiving end are grateful for the gift.

"If it weren't for Peter, there would be a lot of people walking," said 52-year-old Robert Marvin, who lived on the streets for three years and recently received a bike from Sprunger-Froese. "The bike has helped me so much - it's a necessity in my life to get me to work and around town."

Another man who picked up a rebuilt bicycle and a lock Thursday couldn't stop saying "God bless you" to Sprunger-Froese.

"I've been walking four to five hours a day, to work at temp agencies on the other side of town, but I'm camped out on this side of town," he said. "This is amazing."

As the man, who would only give his name as Johnny, rode off, Sprunger-Froese called out: "You don't owe me anything, just some of your humanity. When you help someone else, you're paying me back."

HELP WANTED

Donations to hire a mechanic to refurbish bicycles for homeless and low-income residents may be sent to Bob Holmes, executive director, Homeward Pikes Peak, 518 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.