NEDERLAND — Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) is teaching a hands-on bicycle repair and maintenance class this year. High school students who complete the year-long class can earn an industry certificate as a Bike Tech Level I through the nationally recognized sponsor Project Bike Tech (PBT) and the Park Tool Company.

"This is such a great opportunity to provide Nederland students with hands-on experience in basic bicycle repair, mechanical systems, basic tool use, and create a potential career pathway into a rapidly growing industry," said instructor Scott Sanders.

"We have a fully equipped Project Bike Tech (PBT) classroom with multiple workstations. Each work station includes a workbench, a full set of Park Tools, bike repair stands, wheel truing stands, and teaching bikes. We have also inherited a number of bicycles, parts, and various bicycle components."

The key requirements of this two-semester course are written instructional worksheets, collaborative skill based assessments, and individual hands-on skill demonstrations. Students are expected to demonstrate measurable skills through repetition and consistency. Although industry certification as a bicycle technician level I is not required to pass the course, it is highly recommended.

Sanders also explains that, "We are super excited to partner with the Nederland Elementary School to support their mountain bike SHRED program by providing them with bicycle repair and maintenance needs."

Gavin Coombs is the Executive Director of the Peak to Peak Endurance Foundation. He said, “Having this class to help maintain Peak to Peak Endurance Foundation’s bikes is a game changer. Reducing the maintenance costs goes a long way in ensuring the sustainability of the Ned SHRED program. Pretty soon we will have kids who have gone through Ned SHRED and will then learn how to work on the bikes that they learned how to ride a bike on.”

NMSHS is blessed with support from our school administration and the BVSD CTE (Boulder Valley School District Career and Technology Education) leadership. None of this would be possible without their commitment. 

"Building connections between our elementary and middle/high schools is a vital opportunity for our students and community. Mountain biking is a critical part of local life and our economy, and we're fortunate to have SMBA's support in introducing our youngest students to the sport. Through our Project Bike Tech class, our high schoolers can give back by helping maintain the fleet that makes it all possible — all while earning high school credit, an industry certification, and lifelong skills. A true win-win-win," said Nederland Principal Caleb Melamed.

Athletic Director and NMSHS Assistant Principal, Sean DePaula, points out that, “Our mountain biking team grows every year, and we live in a community where biking, as well as other outdoor activities, are really important to our families. Project Bike Tech is a great opportunity for our students to learn how to fix up their own bikes, and then graduate from high school with a diploma and an industry certification that would allow them to be hired on as an apprentice bike mechanic. This program opens up many valuable opportunities.”

“Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures (SMBA) was founded in Nederland and working with the Ned SHRED and Project Bike Tech programs brings us full circle to where SMBA began in 1993; we are so lucky for this community partnership that aligns so closely with our mission," says SMBA Program Director, Heather Williams.

"Nederland schools are fortunate to be in close proximity to Forest Service and Open Space trails and being accessible by bike from school grounds provides a unique opportunity to introduce kids to mountain biking and foster a life long love of sport and appreciation for our public lands and trails. Having the Project Bike Tech program at the high school provides an extra richness to this opportunity by empowering students with the knowledge and skills to work on their own bikes and an industry certification that can be carried on into a career in the outdoor industry after graduation." 

The level I class includes every essential bicycle system broken down into individual skill-based units. Each unit is designed to teach the specific skills, tool usage, shop protocol, and knowledge to allow students to enter the bicycle industry at an apprentice level. 

Sanders is also excited to develop an apprenticeship program with the local bike shop, Tin Shed Sports. "It is essential to cultivate a collaborative relationship with the only professional bike shop in town. As an introductory program, the Nederland PBT program currently lacks the resources to meet the  next level of bicycle competence that Tin Shed can offer. We will get there eventually, but skills such as suspension systems, hydraulic brakes, electronic shifting, and Ebike technology are not within the scope of our current programming. We hope to leverage Tin Shed's expertise to help train future bike techs."  

Nederland High School will offer the advanced level II PBT classes in the coming years and eventually offer Ebike tech certification. "The interest and excitement with students is certainly there to make this a permanent program at the high school level," according to Sanders, "and the Project Bike Tech national leadership is currently developing a middle level curriculum to widen the opportunities for all secondary students."

In Bike Tech class at Nederland Middle-Senior High School students learn how brakes and gears work.

Photos courtesy of Scott Sanders

“Bicycle maintenance is a life-long skill that promotes sustainability and physical health. It instills a sense of pride in ownership and teaches the value of preventative care," said Nederland High School Mountain Biking Team Coach, Alison Powers.

"Equipping a young rider with mechanical skills doesn't just secure their own journey; it turns them into a capable ally on the path, ready to lend a hand and a wrench to anyone in need.”

Work stations are positioned throughout the Protect Bike Tech classroom.

Photos courtesy of Scott Sanders