[Published July 19, 2023]
By Kim Ratcliff
Members of Stanford’s Bike Plan Advisory Group and members of Stanford Transportation recently rode from campus to visit Live in Peace, an East Palo Alto community organization and bike shop. Live in Peace provides a space for kids to connect with mentors, learn new skills, and get help on the way to college.
Want to Make a Difference?
Meet Parth Sarin (MS '23), who was looking to give back by combining their skills as an educator and cyclist. For the last year, the Stanford Masters computer science student volunteered at Live in Peace in the bike shop and as a tutor. “Bike riding and repair can be really helpful for these learners. Not only is it calming, but project-based and physical learning allows high school students to express knowledge in a way that's often absent from the traditional school environment," said Sarin. Stanford students rarely venture into East Palo Alto, but the "experience has been and continues to be, a beautiful part of my life,” they added.
Interested in volunteering? There are many ways to support Live in Peace. Work as a mechanic in the bike shop, donate bikes or money, tutor high school or college students, provide internships or host field trips at your place of employment.
The visit was inspired by The IDEAL Learning Journey and the university’s commitment to focus on forming internal and external partnerships in order to create a strong culture for bicyclists from all geographic areas, income levels, ethnic groups, and of all skill levels.
Much More Than A Bike Shop
In addition to a college initiative, Live in Peace offers after-school tutoring, bike racing, and a junior golf program. In the bike shop, local high school students learn how to repair bikes and can even train to become certified bike mechanics. To date, 15 young people have gotten certified. In addition, 25 bikes per month are given away or sold at affordable prices.
Over the last six months, the university has engaged with Live in Peace in various ways. The Department of Public Safety donated abandoned bikes, and The Stanford d.school helped revamp the bike mechanic apprenticeship program.
Now, Ariadne Scott, Stanford’s assistant director of active mobility, is looking to increase that support even more. “The Transportation team continues to prioritize understanding and erasing barriers to help unlock a more inclusive bicycle community across Stanford and beyond,” said Scott. Along with studying commute routes through a DEI lens, supporting neighboring organizations such as Live in Peace, which serve underrepresented populations, is key, she added.
Support Welcomed by Live in Peace
The university’s support is as welcome as oil to a rusty bike chain, said Nico Sandi Espinoza, who discovered Live in Peace in high school and later worked his way up to bike shop manager. “We’ve been looking for partnerships with bigger local entities like Stanford. Being so close to campus and having a campus full of smart people who want to solve problems is exciting,” he said.
STANFORD’S COMMITMENT
"Partnering with Live in Peace and other organizations is key to the university's renewed focus on improving safety and comfort for all," said Lesley Lowe, director of transportation for Stanford Land Use and Environmental Planning. "This commitment stretches beyond the Stanford campus and requires collaboration with our partners across agencies, boundaries, and jurisdictions." More on Stanford's ongoing sustainability efforts related to bicycle transportation in Pedaling Forward: Bikes at Stanford.
In the short time since Scott reached out, her roots in the bike community have already boosted the little bike shop that could. She connected Live in Peace with her former employer, Specialized Bicycles, who invited the group to Morgan Hill for a field trip. “We want our kids to envision a future where they can continue to be involved in cycling–whether working in a bike shop, with a retailer, or on transportation and infrastructure so people can get around better on bikes,” said Espinoza.
Scott hopes to introduce Live in Peace apprentices to a collegiate environment and invite them to future campus bike events, such as the Fix-A-Flat classes, and offer training opportunities at the Campus Bike Shop. When you see a future for yourself, you can make decisions on how to get there, said Scott. “Who knows? If these kids find their way to campus now, some may return in the future for school or a career.”
At Live in Peace, kids learn how to repair and fully remodel bikes, including repainting, and adding new tires and grips.
Need a bike this fall? Buy a cool set of wheels from Live in Peace. Want to visit? Take this bike-friendly four-mile route from the Stanford campus.
