[gears chiming]
Many times in life, things start out of necessity.
Mike Van Dusseldorp began fixing bicycles
in his garage because of just that.
- Mike Van Dusseldorp: My wife and I had some bikes that we rode,
and little things would break on the way,
so I'd start carrying tools and stuff and tweaking on 'em
and it was just kind of something that I enjoyed
- Angela: Soon, what started because of a need
shifted gears to become a hobby
and then once more, to become a passion.
[upbeat music]
- Got your road bikes, your BMX bikes.
You got jump bikes, and gravel bikes, and racing bikes,
and they're all designed for a different purpose.
- Angela: It was this chain of events
that moved Mike to meet a different kind of need.
[upbeat music]
- There's so many people
that are homeless that I've kind of always
had a passion for helping the homeless and so forth.
I've done it pretty much my whole life and I realized
that there was a lot of people that needed bikes.
It just made sense to me that
that was something that I needed to do, so.
[bike handles rattle]
- Angela: Mike fixes and donates bicycles
to people experiencing homelessness
or lacking transportation.
- I put out a notice online,
basically, on Facebook just saying,
"This is what I want to do."
And it was three, four days
and I had probably 40, 50 bikes show up
and it just kind of started piling up from there.
- Angela: His message spoke volumes.
Literally, his yard became a hub for old, donated bikes
creating a surplus of used parts and materials
that would otherwise remain stationary.
- Mike: I mean,
I have some that, basically, just need a chain
or need to have something adjusted
that might take me 15 minutes.
And then I have others that are completely shot
and some of those, you know,
I might spend four, or five, six hours on.
- Angela: Each bike serves a purpose.
- So, that's the thing that says it's a 26"
but this rim is for a 24".
- Angela: Even if that purpose takes a little figuring out
to fit into place.
- Half of what I'm doing now, I had to learn myself,
and I had no clue as to what I was doing.
I had people that would donate tools or something.
I didn't even know what they were,
so I'd have to look it up and find out, "What is this for?"
And I think that that's really what I love about it.
I hate puzzles, but I like mechanics
and I think this is kind of a meshing of that.
It's a puzzling mechanic.
- Angela: Mike has cycled through
countless pairs of handlebars, cassettes, and pedals,
giving away close to 500 bicycles
to people simply needing a ride.
- It's not so much about just helping people,
but it kind of helps you, too, in a way.
It gives you that sense of belonging
and that sense of, "I matter,"
and you're doing something that's not just for you.
You're helping other people
and by giving them joy, that's kind of what keeps you going.
- Angela: His giving has expanded,
adding non-perishable food items to the list.
All are supplied through donations,
either from the community or himself.
It's a chance to further help people
find a better path in life.
- Life is like riding a bicycle.
If you wanna keep your balance, you have to keep moving.
And I think that's the biggest thing
is just don't give up
and give people hope.
Keep 'em moving.
[gentle music]
- Angela: For some, these stacks of broken-down bikes
might look a bit overwhelming or deflating.
- Mike: That's better.
- Angela: But to Mike,
he sees something different:
kindness.
- Yes, it's a lot to look at
and it's kind of tacky looking, sure,
but at the same time,
every time that somebody looks at it, I can just say,
"No, this is beautiful because this is human kindness."
And I think that that to me
is really what it embodies is just kindness
and loving one another and being there to help each other.
[gentle music]
What greater thing is there than being able to do that?
I mean,
I love it. [laughs]
[wind chimes]