By BU Cycle Kitchen offers free instruction as well as a place for the University’s biking community to gather
Since its opening last fall the BU Cycle Kitchen (BUCK) has seen a steady stream of customers coming in for free instruction in bicycle maintenance and repair. The shop is run by Jay “PQ” Diengott, BU Transportation Services bicycle program manager, who spent years developing their expertise in Boston bicycle shops before taking the reins at BUCK. The shop’s services are free, but with a catch—you need to do the work yourself. It’s open to students, faculty, and staff, regardless of technical prowess. The goal is to create a non-intimidating environment where people can build confidence in fixing things.
BUCK is located in West Campus (the official address is 1019 Comm Ave., but the entrance is on Babcock Street). Staff estimate they’ve helped more than 900 people (flat tires are among the most frequent problems), and they’ve refurbished nearly two dozen bikes left abandoned in campus bike racks.
In just seven months, the space has already become a hub for BU’s biking community. Diengott says it’s been rewarding to see students, faculty, and staff often working side by side and that bringing people together in a casual community space has fostered lots of interesting conversations.
