Let Her Do It

^{Disclaimer: all photos were provided by the mechanics}

The world of cycling is bustling with both cyclists and their bikes. One positive outcome of the global pandemic has been an increase in cyclists on the roads, which is fantastic. People have been exercising more and discovering new ways to get around. Personal mobility has become a crucial part of our social infrastructure, and it looks like it’s here to stay.

With more people riding bikes, there’s a higher demand for bike maintenance and repair. Bike shops have become popular hangout spots for regular riders, with parts and accessories flying off the shelves. Bike mechanics have become invaluable friends and wise advisors within the community. Recently, we had the chance to ride with and talk to three mechanics. These individuals have not only played a key role in our growing local communities but have also built and nurtured their own.

The first in the series is Jeza Rodriguez, a Bike School Asia-certified mechanic committed to fair mobility, progressive access, and inclusivity.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

“I’ve been bike commuting for about eight years now,” Jeza Rodriguez tells us with a smile, “but I’ve been riding a bike since I’ve been in the first grade.” It’s this deep relationship with the two wheels that got her wanting to learn how to fix her bike, which in turn led her to volunteer at Budol Buddy, which is run by Marlowe. She tells us that she “wanted to fix my bike whenever and wherever I go.” Jeza also realized that being a mechanic was really more of a guy thing, saying “there were really few or no opportunities for women to learn how to do it (being a mechanic),” which made her more interested in doing it. “If you went to a bike shop, would you see a female mechanic?”

“Bike School Asia is the dream school I never knew I needed,” was a caption for an Instagram post that Jeza shared a few months back, right as she was literally in the middle of a multi-day course at the esteemed cycle institute in Singapore. We asked her if that decision to go there was part of the bigger inclusivity conversation and she explains that it “was more about seeking knowledge, formal bike mechanic knowledge.” She continues that because more and more people, after seeing her posts, asked her to give talks and conduct workshops, “I felt that I needed to learn more, that there are still some things I could add to what I already knew. Because I don’t want to teach people with empty pockets, right?”

Her goal is to transfer that knowledge to more women who want to get into it, “Bike School Asia teaches you things in ways that it’s easy to share it with other people,” also adding that she “saw and met other women mechanics while I was there in Singapore and it felt good to be seen, represented.”

THE IDEA IDENTITY

When we asked her again about being a woman in a male-dominated industry, we added the idea of identity into it. She tells us that although yes, it is who she is, “people are multi-faceted anyway. They can like many things, be interested in different things, and that’s perfectly all right,” she smiles and acknowledges that, “it’s personal for me because biking is such a big part of my life, so why not? Why not own that– the whole Female Bike Mechanic title?”

“I’m still learning…always learning,” Jeza shares, “I’ve been doing this whole mechanic thing for about a year and a half.” She continues to talk to us about her experiences being a mechanic and how recently, more women have approached her not just for help with their bikes, but to lead workshops and teach classes as well. “Whenever people ask me, boys or girls, for help with their bikes or to teach them how to do it or to even give a talk– it’s such a privilege,” she admits that it’s “really about providing a safe space for people to ask you, that they don’t feel intimidated for whatever reason, gender or anything else.”

“It’s obvious and accepted that this is a male-dominated sport and industry, even the marketing is skewed towards men,” she continues, “so when I say a safe space, I mean it as a whole space for men and women, a place to be curious or even to make mistakes. To grow.”

Speaking with Jeza, you realize that her passion and love for what she does is what strikes you the most. The way she talks about her vocation, her “calling” if you will, resonates with and permeates deep into your being– you are hit with the realization that you are in the presence of someone who truly believes in the difference that she is making while actually doing it. The way she always puts the bigger reasons ahead is something that our community, in fact any community, is privileged to enjoy.

Follow her on Instagram at @jezarodz