The Recyclery Staff
Laura Mariela Aranda (she/her) – is our Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator. Contact her if you’d like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with us! (volunteer@therecyclery.org) She likes to dance (Mexican folklorico), host a local open mic, and walk her chihuahua!
Tzippora Rhodes coordinates the Freecyclery program, runs youth programs, and also teaches our Tune-Up Class as part of the staff. Tzippy is also a dedicated collective member of many years. When her bike got stolen one week after moving to Chicago in 2007, she got started fixing up old bikes, and hasn’t stopped since.
Peat Moss is the lead mechanic and also manages bike acquisition of donations. Peat has been active in the collective since 2008 and hosts shop events, leads projects, and teaches classes.
Collective Members
David Bates-Jefferys knows that bikes can lead to a healthier lifestyle, a more vibrant community and a cleaner environment. He enjoys slow rolling through North Chicagoland, biking out to breweries or even the hectic rush of bike commuting downtown. David often finds that hosting open shop is the highlight of his week, and would love to empower you with bike wrenching knowledge.
Whitney Bennet is currently serving as a President of the Board.
Kevin Bodkin loves bicycles, whether he’s riding a century on his road bike or coasting around Rogers Park on a Divvy. He finds that they’re a sustainable, equitable, and fun way to explore the world. He’s proud of the work everyone at the Recyclery is doing to foster community, remove some of the mystery behind bike mechanics, and help the environment.
Kevin hosts Wednesday volunteer hours, helps with the education committee, and helps plan fun events in and outside of the shop.
Katie Bowes, born and raised in Michigan, Katie has been an avid biker since moving to Chicago in 2009. She hosts both Tuesday Open Shop and WTF Open Shop, teaches our Tune-Up and Overhaul classes. In addition to her work with the Collective, Katie is a League Cycling Instructor, and in 2018, she was the recipient of the UBI/QBP Women’s Bicycle Mechanic Scholarship, which sent her to Oregon for 2 weeks to study mechanics at the United Bicycle Institute. When she’s not riding her bike, Katie enjoys tinkering with bikes, coffee, knitting, stickers, going to the batting cages with her boyfriend, and giving pedicures to her cat, Vernors.
Peat Moss is the lead mechanic and also manages bike acquisition of donations. Peat has been active in the collective since 2008 and hosts shop events, leads projects, and teaches classes.
Tzippora Rhodes coordinates the Freecyclery program, runs youth programs, and also teaches our Tune Up Class as part of the staff. Tzippy is also a dedicated collective member of many years. When her bike got stolen one week after moving to Chicago in 2007, she got started fixing up old bikes, and hasn’t stopped since.
Keon Turner is a long time presence at the shop and a dedicated collective member and volunteer. He loves to get dirty, fix stuff, and help people that need it. Keon enjoys seeing others understanding the knowledge he’s able to share and vice versa. Currently serves as a Secretary of the Board.