CAT

I have to tell you about a special place in my town called The Center for Appropriate Transport (CAT).



CAT is nestled into an industrial corner of Eugene, Oregon, between the train tracks and the Willamette River. It's sort of tucked away in an ordinary brick building with small signage on the street-side wall. Never mind the dull exterior, though, inside is where the action is!

CAT functions as a "Private Alternative Education Program" registered with the Oregon Department of Education. They receive funding from the state to operate as a real-life bike school. You heard me...BIKE...SCHOOL.

"Our students are aged 12-19 and come from many backgrounds. They are at various levels of academic skills and are inclined to be hands-on learners. We are like a one room classroom in that we have a 1-6 teacher-student ratio. We run a 3-hour AM class and a 3-hour PM class. Class time is very organized and we expect a lot. Every Friday is a special projects day. On this day youth get to work on a bike building project, a sewing project or a multimedia project... to name but a few.


Our offerings include:

Bike Lab
Bicycle maintenance and repair. Bike Lab provides participants a working knowledge of the use of bicycle tools along with the principles of physics and geometry as they relate to frame design and wheel building.

Metalworking / Bicycle Frame Building
Students can learn the entire process of building a bicycle or rack, from cutting the tubes to powdercoating and assembling the finished product. Emphasis is placed on invention and entrepreneurship, safety, teamwork, and producing a marketable product.

CAD/CAM
For students interested in pursuing a career in industry, this program is designed to introduce computer aided mechanical design, drafting, and manufacturing skills.

Industrial Sewing
Design and manufacture of rain gear, custom bicycle seats, and other projects.

Skinner City Farm
This community garden project provides an agriculturally-based program which teaches students about sustainable practices. Farmers, tradespeople, ecologists and historians bring real-world experience to the curriculum.

Multimedia
This program provides real-world writing and journalism experience through the forum of Oregon Cycling Magazine. Students write articles, conduct interviews, create art and produce the final layout with computers. Their work brings them into contact with bicycle professionals from around the state and nation. Students also create a bike-themed podcast which showcases their work from the magazine alongside interviews and sketches.

GED/Academics
For those interested in earning a GED certificate, this program prepares a student to successfully pass the GED test. Individualized attention focuses on subject areas that need improvement, and whenever possible, students work together to achieve goals. For many students who learn through hands-on work, this is the most efficient way for them to achieve their academic goals.

Field Trips
Field trips are a periodic feature of our programs. We visit bicycle shops, fabrication facilities, sewing operations, art studios and related places of interest."

CAT also houses a do-it-yourself repair shop, where for $8 per hour, you can rent space and tools in one of their many fully stocked workstations.



For a buck-and-a-half, they'll advise you, answer questions, or provide mechanical assistance. And if you need something, CAT also stocks new and used bike parts. They also sell completely refurbished used bikes, so when the Mongoose gives up the ghost...


...Oh, and they MAKE bikes, too! HERE is their incredible catalog.

"Human Powered Machines was established in 1991. Our primary interest is in relieving urban congestion by building load-carrying workbikes. We also produce many types of vehicles including recumbents, utility trailers, folding bikes, hand- powered vehicles and farm machines. The production of these vehicles integrates youth apprentices whenever possible....As a part of the Center for Appropriate Transport, HPM is the apprenticeship program where teenagers can acquire the diverse skills for a career in bicycle building."

CAT's got a BIKE LIBRARY, too. (Click this...really).


So the next time you're in Eugene, head to 1st Avenue between the train tracks and the Willamette River, and visit:


The Center for Appropriate Transport
455 W. 1st Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401