A look back at what has been going on at Our Community Bikes this year, and what 2025 will bring!
It is that time of year. The dark lingers longer, the rain never seems to stop, and the cold bites down hard.
Getting out of the house this time of year can be a tough task. For those of us who bike, we pull on mittens, hats and numerous pairs of socks, ready for the chilly pedal to work or school; our breath lights up the cold air, and pulling up to the traffic lights, there is a stab of jealousy at the folks sitting cosy in their cars.
Cycling can be tough at times, especially in winter. However, life truly is better by bike, and Our Community Bikes (OCB) is here to remind you pedal power is the best way to get around- even in December.
Over at OCB on Main Street, the holiday cheer is in full swing. We’re looking forward to our staff party (all gifts exchanged constructed or sourced from reused materials), our Winter Fundraising Kick-off Party brought together old friends and new faces, and our joint event with Kickstand and Bike Kitchen was well… pretty awesome!
We are incredibly proud of our work over the last year, and it has been fantastic to see our shop continually buzzing with customers, our regular access nights bringing together new and enthusiastic riders, and our youth programs packed with inquisitive kids, all getting stuck in.
It has also been wonderful to witness the progress made by the 35 Gear-up participants this year, who have achieved so much while training with OCB. Gear Up is a free 13-week program that equips youth ages 15 – 30 with the skills, certification and employer connections necessary to work as a bike mechanic. We are gearing-up (pardon the pun) to bid farewell to one student, Bird, who has been an incredible addition to our team as they undertook their practicum placement with us over the past 5 weeks.
This year we were also proud to convene Second Gear, a peer-led educational event for entry-level professionals of equity-deserving genders in the commercial cycling world. An institutional focus on developing mechanical aptitude has left a noticeable gap in the theory behind foundational field niches. Second Gear seeks to fill these gaps through peer-led discussion and collaborative resource sharing, bolstering personal confidence and longevity for those already within the industry.
Our team has also been hard at work refurbishing bicycles, which are now on offer at affordable prices over at our store, alongside a huge variety of used and new parts. So if you are in need of a new pair of fenders, handlebars or even a derailleur, but are worried about the price tag, come on down and take a look at our affordable (and quality) parts starting at just $10!
The need is greater than ever, but we need your help to meet it!
While there is much to celebrate, the high- and rising- demand for our services exposes the growing need for more affordable and accessible cycling solutions in Vancouver. We have donated over 150 bikes to kids and adults in need this year alone, and requests continue to come in.
Meanwhile, our Oppenheimer Repair clinics (which provide free bike and mobility device repairs in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside) continue to see high demand, and we have provided over 1400 critical repairs so far this year.
Much of our work depends on volunteer support, and although we were fortunate enough to receive over 950 volunteer hours last year, our resources are stretched.
This is why this year’s Winter Fundraising Campaign is more critical than ever. Grants only support 30% of repair clinic costs, and now the pilot is over, we need to be able to ensure its continuation.
We have been blown away by the amazing support we have received from our local donors, who have rallied round and helped to provide the vital funds we need. At a time when living costs are rising and many in Vancouver are finding it difficult to make ends meet, the community spirit is stronger than ever.
Looking ahead to 2025
Like most of you, we will be taking a hard earned rest over the holiday season, and our shop will be closed from Monday Dec 23rd 2024 to Thursday Jan 2nd 2025.
But do not fear, we will be back, ready to support you with all your cycling related questions, concerns or challenges.
Come on by!