The freedom that comes with having a reliable bicycle can be a game-charger for a person, which is why Pata de Perro has made it its mission to empower community members to get mobile on two wheels.

The community bike club, located in downtown Rochester, offers local youth the opportunity to earn a free bike, along with education on how to maintain and repair it. The club also partners on a number of area events to promote cycling and volunteerism in the community.

To learn more about the volunteer-led program, we spoke with founder Miguel Valdez. He tells us the impact of the club has been especially profound as more people take up biking as a result of the pandemic.

MCB: Let's go back in time. What prompted you to start the club?

Valdez: In the summers of 2009 and 2010 ACHLA, the Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans, hosted summer camps for first-generation students entering college. By 2011, we didn’t have the funding to run the summer camp anymore, so we considered sending the youth to other local summer camps. That’s when we learned that the parents of the youth didn’t have the availability to drive them to local camps. Also, due to liability, we couldn’t transport youth in our private vehicles. To help youth gain independence and reliable transportation, we created the bike club.

MCB: What is the main mission of the club?

Valdez: Our mission is to promote the cycling culture as a means of transportation, as well as recreation; and to promote the culture of wellness and friendships.

The club was created to help youth gain independence and reliable transportation.

MCB: What services does the club provide?

Valdez: We offer an Earn-a-Bike program for youth ages 18 and younger. Through this program youth receive a free donated bicycle, a lock, and a helmet after volunteering at least three times at the club fixing bikes for others or any other local event promoting the bike club.

For adults, we offer the opportunity to earn a bike or to purchase one if they choose not to volunteer. We also coordinate an annual Bike Swap in May.

MCB: Who else is involved with Pata de Perro?

Valdez: We are a program of ACHLA, which is a local 501c3, so we can offer donation receipts for tax purposes. We collaborate with the People’s Food Co-op, which hosts the Bike Swap. We Bike Rochester provides volunteers and support. We work with some of the homeless shelters, social services and the Workforce Center to provide bicycles to their clients.

MCB: Talk about the impact the club has had.

Valdez: During the Covid pandemic, there has been a shortage of bicycles and bike parts at stores throughout the city. So, we saw more adults than ever seeking help from our used bike inventory. It’s been good to be able to help people get bikes for transportation, and also help people who have been looking for a healthy recreational activity. The joy and freedom that comes from riding a bike is like providing someone with wings to fly and discover the city from a different perspective.

MCB: Where can we find you?

Valdez: Our bike club is located at 115 N Broadway, garage 117, in the alleyway behind the Castle Community. The garage is open Thursday evenings from mid-April through mid-October.

MCB: What keeps you wanting to give back?

Valdez: This past 2020-21, it’s been really important to me personally to keep busy and find purpose during this difficult time. We have seen the increase numbers of homeless community members that really need some help with their bike, but also we have been able to help Mayo Clinic employees new to town who where looking for recreational activities during the shutdown.

MCB: If I want to get involved, how can I help?

Valdez: We are always grateful for volunteers who can help teach youth simple bike maintenance. Volunteers can apply online.

We also accept donations of used bicycles, along with a suggested $25 donation to help us offset the costs of any repairs needed. Financial donations are also needed to help cover the cost of rent and supplies.