You are invited to join Rita Feutl at the launch of her new book, Bike Thief, on Saturday, March 15 from 5-6:30pm at BikeWorks North (9305 111 Ave).

"Learn about love, locks, larceny... and the joys of riding and reading."

One of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society's (EBC) ongoing programs is The Spoke. The Spoke is a free earn-a-bike program for youth who are nominated (or self-nominate themselves) to the program. Over 6 weeks, youth work with volunteer mentors to tune-up a bike that they choose from our stock. EBC provides pizza, helmets, lights, locks, the bike, and, most importantly, a welcoming space for youth to develop bike repair skills, social skills, and relationships with other youth and adults. Some of the youth return to help mentor other youth.

Started in 2010, The Spoke now sees about 60 youth graduate each year from the program as the proud owners of a bike they've tuned up themselves.

Rita Feutl's new novel Bike Thief is set in Edmonton and finds inspiration in The Spoke. Though fiction (youth participants in The Spoke have no particular connection to theft or crime), it does resonate with the origins of The Spoke, which was launched with the help of youth who formerly had involvement with bike-related crime.

EBC is excited to host the launch of Rita Feutl's new book.