SRJC’s new bike club, Bikes of Beelzebub, is already making an impact on SRJC life with fundraisers for the ICC, group rides and free bike education.

“I thought of the club originally because I wanted to do collegiate racing and as it turns out I’ve only done one collegiate race. The club took a whole other direction,” said Kylie Mendonca, club president.

Those directions included environmental awareness, fundraising, a workshop in Lounibus Hall where members can fix up their bikes while on campus and more. The club is currently fixing bikes for an ICC fundraiser and accepting donations of bikes for its own use.

“So far we are just trying to get some footing as to where we are going with things, but so far it’s been fun,” said Kenny Pillard, ride organizer and mechanic for the club.

Members also plan to set up a bike in each SRJC department for students to take to the store, instead of driving cars in between classes. “In case you want to run to the store, we can be like, ‘hey don’t take your car, just take this little bike down to the store,'” Mendonca said.

The club organizes rides on beginner-friendly trails, but is open to organizing more challenging rides.

“Mainly because, the people in our club, there’s not a lot of them but there’s different skill levels so it’s much easier to go on a nice little road ride,” Mendonca said. “We’ve gone out from here to Forestville for example, and you go basically the whole way on trails. It’s shaded, [and] it’s nice, not intimidating.”

All club members are encouraged to bring their thoughts and ideas to the meetings. Every member can get involved in organizing an event or project, and get support from other members. “We can do anything that anyone wants to do. I don’t necessarily have time to make things happen all the time,” Mendonca said.

 “Our main focus right now is on fixing bikes. I think that’s really the cornerstone,” Mendonca said. “Every bike rider should know some basics, especially women. I’m really passionate about getting tools in the hands of women.”

Any student is welcome to bring a bike to a meeting and learn how to fix and maintain it with the club’s help.

Bikes of Beelzebub is also planning to help in storing replacement inner tubes for the wheelchair basketball club that recently started. Wheelchairs use different tubes than bikes and it can be difficult to find replacements if they get a flat on campus, so the bike club will keep replacements and tools in its workshop.

Around 10 to 15 members attend regularly, and about 30 people are on the mailing list. “I hope to get more members, people to be able to come to us with questions about riding safely and repair help,” Pillard said.