Whitehall Area Rotary Club officially presented a new bike repair station to Whitehall Township and the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission Aug. 26.

The Dero Fixit Plus bike repair station was placed under the 3853 Chestnut St. trailhead pavilion in March. The purchase was made possible through matching grant funds with Rotary District 7430.

Ed Hozza Jr., former Whitehall mayor and current Lehigh County director of administration, explained the repair station to those gathered.

“The goal of the Rotary is to give back to the community,” he said. “It’s a wonderful addition to the trail, and we hope that many bikers can take advantage of these features. This is a unique device a biker can use to make repairs.”

The station includes all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from filling a tire with air to changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. Tools include Phillips and standard screwdrivers, tire levers, a Torx T-25 bit, a Hex key set and headset and pedal wrench.

Tracy Bozik, foundation chair for Rotary District 7430, said the station adds a level of comfort and reassurance to anyone looking to use the trail.

“I think it’s a much-needed addition as far as safety and security on the trail,” she said. “You won’t get stranded with your bike if you’re running low on air or you know something else happened, like with your brakes. .... So you should be able to fix any multitude of cycling issues that you may have.”

The trail features two counters placed at the Portland and Chestnut streets locations to track trail usage. The counters have tracked approximately 250,000 people a year with a 50/50 ratio of pedestrian to biker traffic.

“Trails are by far the No. 1 used parks and recreational facilities in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We are home to two other trails: the D&L and Jordan Greenway Trail. We’re fortunate we have three; some communities don’t have any,” Hozza said.

“People don’t realize this trail is open 365 days a year,” Coplay resident Anne Killeen said. “You gotta get out on the trail. Why am I better and why am I in shape? Because I get out on the trail.”