Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park gives kids get a chance to earn wheels through hard work

ASBURY PARK - A college graduate and a middle schooler are volunteering on Main Street. They're turning a frame with wheels into someone's new bicycle because a police lieutenant wants to replace one that had been stolen.

This is not some plot to an afterschool special, it is just a Tuesday at Second Life Bikes .

The bike shop on Main Street feels like more like a community hub than a dealership. Inside the store, the sheer number of bikes, varied in their makes and models yet with each one looking like it has its own story to tell, is mixed with the smell of rubber and chain grease. The effect is enough to make even the oldest customer feeling like a kid who can definitely pop a wheelie.

Nathan Enelus, 13, started volunteering at Second Life Bikes at the beginning of the school year. "It is great, because I will be like, 'Oh, I worked on that bike!'" he said of his work there.

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"I like seeing people (and) their faces light up, when they see their broken bike fixed up," Enelus said. "I love it so far. Everyone comes in, all different races, everybody comes in happy."

Kerri Martin, owner and operator of Second Life Bikes, said Nathan just wanted to come and earn experience, but other kids come there to work in order to earn bikes, or earn parts for their bikes.

"They're missing a seat because some stole their seat off. So, they will get a seat and seat post after working an hour or two," Martin said. "We also have a lot of tools outside, and used tubes and used tires, so kids and adults can go fix their bike outside."

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Martin has been teaching children in the community to take something broken or worn out and give it new life since starting her community bike program in 2006, operating one day a week in a church garage .

The shop now has students from Asbury Park Middle School, Hope Academy and Academy Charter High School who volunteer at her shop.

They include Kevin Tellez, 13, who just became his class president at Hope Academy after working at the shop for a few weeks.

"I needed the community hours to become president and I also wanted to come here for fun — something to do in my free time," he said. "It makes me feel great, makes me feel accomplished (that) I was able to do something."

There are also adult volunteers like 22-year-old Batur Yaman from Neptune, who started in July.

"I just got home from school. I graduated from college in May. I wanted to get involved in the community while I was home for a year. I plan on going to medical school next year," Yaman said.

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He admitted he recently got into cycling but said he heard about the shop "a long time ago. I think my brother volunteered here way back."

"It is really cool to be here and interact in the community in this way. It is a unique spot. I never seen another bike shop like this before," Yaman said. "I feel like it's more of a community hub than a bike shop. … It is really cool being a part of that."

Dan Tagatac retired in late 2017 but has been volunteering at the shop since the spring of 2018. He said likes the fact that Martin is very active in the Asbury Park community.

"I see people who are in need come in and she is as accommodating as she can possibly be," he said. "People for whom their bike is the only way of getting around, and they can't really afford an expensive repair, she does whatever she can to help them out."

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Tagatac lives in Freehold, not too far from a recycling facility.

"So whenever there is stuff the shop can't do anything with, I take it over to Beacon Metal Recycling get a few extra bucks for the shop, clear out some space," he said. "I like that this is a place that is repairing things, not just tossing them out or putting them in a garbage dump."

Martin said her goal is to try and bring bikes back to life as much as possible, especially with all the salt in the air in an oceanside town like Asbury Park.

"Rust is a losing battle at the Jersey Shore," she said. "It is great because bikes are used all the time. We see them outside in Asbury and Ocean Grove, but they have to live outside, and they get used a lot."

Anyone can bring a repair in.

"I feel like what we do as opposed to other bike shops is really try and bring these bikes back to life. Other shops, they don't want to repair bikes, or they don't have the used parts either. Sometimes it is just not cost effective," Martin said. "These companies make (bikes) look so cool, but they don't bother putting good parts on them.

Selling and repairing bikes is their business, but Martin never loses sight on how many locals work multiple jobs in the area and rely on a bicycle to get around. So Second Life Bikes makes sure to offer affordable options, between $70 and $100, and keeps those in stock.

"Road bikes are expensive these days. You go into another store it could be easily $2,000," Martin said. "People love mountain biking too. … People can get a 26-inch mountain bike from the 1990s and ride it in Allaire (State Park) and have a perfectly good time."

However, being on Main Street in a Shore town means "we are definitely in cruiser country."

"Everyone comes in looking for a beach cruiser. We also try to tell them there is life beyond beach cruisers," Martin said. "Cruisers aren't not necessarily the best bike because they're just single speed with coaster brakes. You might want gears, you might want handbrakes," Martin said.

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All the bikes are donated.

"We don't buy, or trade or give credit, because that would be a messy business around here, where maybe we're getting stolen bikes or frames that are cracked. So, to keep things clean and simple we just get donated bikes. There are a lot of unwanted bikes in the world, especially Monmouth County," Martin said.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com @CharlesDayeAPP

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park gives kids get a chance to earn wheels through hard work