LAKELAND, Fla. — Unwholly Bikes, a unique new shop in Lakeland, wants to make a trade. The store will give you a free bicycle — but there is a catch.
First, you need to work up a little sweat.
“We believe that if you come in here and put the work in and you build a bike, it creates a sense of ownership,” says co-founder William Shaffer. “And that means you’ll take better care of it, which means you’ll ride it more, which means you’ll be happier and healthier.”
This is a communal labor of love for Shaffer and his partners Tyler Fox, ViVi Tai and Mac Masters.
They all have day jobs. With Lakeland continuing to grow, the four wanted to give back and help people in all walks of life get around.
“This is not a charity,” says Shaffer.
Not matter what age or status in life, if you want wheels from Unwholly Bikes, you have to work for them.
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The shop is 100-percent donation- and volunteer-based.
They need help too, especially old bikes and parts, which they’ll provide to customers along with teaching.
Not everyone can afford a bike and the freedom those two wheels can provide. But Unwholly Bikes believes everyone deserves a bike, so everyone is welcome, no questions asked.
“We just want to meet you and teach you and ride with you,” says Shaffer.
For more information, or to donate a bike or parts, go to www.facebook.com/UnwhollyBikes/.
