LAKELAND, Fla. — A new nonprofit on East Rose Street in Lakeland is offering a place for people to fix up their broken bicycles or earn a bike through putting in a little work.

Unwholly Bikes on Facebook

Friends opened shop after enjoying group rides

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William Schaffer started the "Unwholly Bikes" DIY shop with several friends after they took some group bike rides together.

They loved the riding so much they wanted to make sure other people had a place to work on their broken bikes. In some cases, if people come in and do some sweat equity, they can walk away with their own bikes if they didn't have one to bring to the shop.

“I love seeing somebody work on a bike that’s completely ignorant of anything to do with it and watching their brain,” said Schaffer. “Because they were able to learn something with their own hands.”

Friend Mac Masters said the only thing he knew about bikes was how to ride and not fall off before he started working with Schaffer.

“And I’m like, 'well, what tool do I need for this? How do I do this?' And he’s able to kick start. 'Ah, OK cool,'” Masters said.

Last week a mother brought three of her kids to the shop. They worked on some bikes for several hours and went home with their very own bikes.

She was thrilled they were now out riding them instead of just staying inside all the time.

“Watching that woman sit there and see her kids focus on something they were taking ownership of, the goose bumps," Schaffer explained. "Just telling it to you is so awesome.”

Schaffer added he believes that working on your own bikes helps you really appreciating it while you ride.

“Yes, it’s mind blowing," he said. "The turnaround in attitude from walking in to riding out.”