Alexia Barrier: Repair-Café at Café du Cycliste in Nice

The Repair-Café with Alexia Barrier

When Alexia Barrier, world-class sailor and Caravan athlete, suggested the idea of organizing a Repair-Café to us, we jumped at the idea. After all, we are both now committed to working together to improve environmental cohesion, sustainability and education. As of last month, Café du Cycliste is donating 1% of revenue to Ms. Barrier’s 4myplanet initiative. So let us explain a bit more about her Repair Café.

The Repair-café concept is simple:

Many bicycles sit idly in the back of a garage, only because a tyre is flat, or the brakes don’t work. The Repair Café teaches people how to correct such minor issues, how to do it themselves.

If you were thinking of dropping off your bike to your trusted (or slightly untrusted) local bike shop and pick it up two hours (or maybe days) later, ready to roll, go your way. However, if saving a few euros (or equivalent currency) and getting your hands dirty sounds more your cup of tea, then take the self-sufficient, planet-friendly and mentally rewarding option.

The advantage is that at the end of this workshop you will be able to get tough on the simplest repairs: disassembling a wheel and putting a patch on an inner tube, adjusting brakes, gears, and mending broken chains. The principle: fix things, don’t chuck them away and replace them if unnecessary.

The Repair Café welcomes old and young and is an opportunity to bring together a disparate group of people around the same virtuous project. Held worldwide, Repair Cafés offer opportunities to learn and preserve. Zero waste, maximum satisfaction.

The operation was brilliantly orchestrated by the eco-warriors of Université Côte d'Azur who have held such events previously on its campuses. The team from the University came to offer expert knowledge and helped to draw the crowds into the Café du Cycliste. Students and youngsters turned out in large numbers for this first experience at the port.

The workshop was an experience and an education for everyone, expertly hosted by Cyclotrope, a non-profit association. Their presenters set the tempo, involving everyone from more advanced repair workers to those who were struggling a little in their plan to bring their old bike back to life. Nice à Vélo were also there, a social scheme that informs and raises awareness among the public of Nice about the use of bicycles in the city.

The Repair Café is most certainly set to return, with requests flying into us at the Café du Cycliste. The bicycle virus continues to spread.

Alexia Barrier

Alexia is the 10th woman in the world to have finished the Vendée Globe race without stopping and without assistance. Cycling is her other passion.

The Life Cycle

Cycling as a lifestyle empowers people physically and mentally and allows us to connect with nature – a key force for changing behaviours and reducing carbon emissions.

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1% for the Planet

We spoke to Alexia Barrier about her 4myplanet enterprise and how Café du Cycliste will be contributing to her future projects through 1% for the Planet.

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