We have lots of questions and we try to have a structured approach to understanding why things are the way they are.
Our first step is to convene and talk with people in the industry, in particular bike mechanics, but also shop owners, managers, academics in labour studies, education and economics; basically whoever wants to talk to us! Here are the questions we ask mechanics (link), and shop owners/managers (link).
Our second step is to create a survey to get an understanding of who are bike mechanics, how they learn, and why they are in the industry (or why they left). This creates a baseline understanding of where we are now, and might help us understand some of the issues.
Our third step is… we don’t know yet! Mobilize? We’ll have to see how step 1 and 2 go!
What About Bicycle Mechanics? 