Indeed, across North America, despite economic challenges, the cycling industry is pulling together to support more sustainable, more inclusive biking in their local communities.

To find out more about how these partnerships are being developed, and the impacts they are having, we caught up with Portland Design Works, a US based company, which has been pioneering in their words: ‘beautiful, simple gear for everyday cycling’, while elevating community initiatives and greener ways of working.

How were you founded and how have you grown? 

A couple other folks and I started Portland Design Works back in 2008 because we didn’t see a whole lot of fun, design-oriented bike accessories out there. At the time we were living in Madison, Wisconsin, but Portland was the center of cycling culture in America so we sold our homes and used the equity we had to move across the country and start PDW. We had to survive on ramen and peanut butter sandwiches those first few years but we eventually got to a point where business was more steady. At least as steady as it ever gets in our little industry.

We’ve fluctuated between two and five full-time employees over our 17 years in business, so we’re still quite small. We’ve always been more focused on being a sustainable business than growing the company every year. As long as everyone makes a living wage and has healthcare we consider that a success. 

What was the market you were trying to fill/reach when you began? 

We started in 2008 so we were really focused on accessories that would look good on custom city commuter bikes and fixies. There was an explosion of custom frame builders at the time making really beautiful city bikes with full rack and fender setups. A lot of those builders were saying customers would balk at the extra cost of, for example, a $600 custom rear rack for their bike. But every off the shelf product looked really basic and utilitarian and not at home on a unique custom bike. So, we started designing gear that would be functional but also look really good, really unique. 

Sustainability is a core part of your operations. Can you tell me a bit more about how you have shifted towards sustainable practices, and the challenges you have faced in this?

We’ve had a focus on sustainability since day one. With every product we develop, we take into consideration re-buildability, materials, packaging, etc. 

We also look beyond the product to how we power our office/warehouse (wind,) how much we travel by air, and how we commute to work. I think one of the biggest challenges we face is how to allocate our resources for sustainability. For a while, we tried to do it all. We purchased carbon offsets, donated 1% of top-line revenue to environmental organizations, and supported grassroots cycling advocacy organizations, but we quickly found out that we couldn’t afford to do everything, and we settled on really focusing on local bicycle advocacy groups because they are the most relevant to what we do and what we know.

Where do you see some of the residual challenges for the cycling sector in developing more sustainable practices?

For small businesses like us, a lot of it is just waiting for larger companies to invest in sustainable options or use their buying power to pressure suppliers to offer more sustainable packaging and materials. If Portland Design Works asks for 10 rolls per year of biodegradable pallet wrap from a packaging company they wouldn’t even bother to respond. If General Mills says they’ll order 10 million rolls, then the idea is taken seriously, and that option becomes available for all of the packaging company’s customers.

Cycling is often seen as a male (often white) pursuit. One of your slogans is #gearforallkinds, and you design gear for a range of different styles of cyclists and riders. How do you feel the cycling industry can better cater to, and encourage, riders from different backgrounds?

I think there are a couple of things we can do. First, show a wider variety of people riding in social posts and marketing materials. I’m not talking about just a more multi-racial mix of models. I’m talking about showing people who are older, who are younger, who are heavier, taller, shorter, etc. A more diverse group of humans. 

The second thing is trying to show people that cycling is normal and there isn’t a high bar to entry. You don’t have to identify as a “cyclist” to ride a bike to work or to meet your friends out. You can just hop on your bike in your jeans and start pedaling. This kind of mentality exists in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, but it seems like in North America cycling is seen as something done by a specific tribe and if you don’t have all of the right clothing and components you won’t fit in. The cycling industry needs to sell cycling as simple, enjoyable, and not some kind of big deal. Normalize riding! Does that make sense?

You give away some of your profits to 1% for the planet, and support a range of local cycling programs and projects. What motivates you as a company to support these grassroots initiatives? 

There have been years we’ve given ALL of our profits (and more) to 1% For the Planet organizations. We support those organizations because we want more people riding bikes and those organizations remove barriers to riding by giving away bikes, lobbying for better infrastructure, etc.

What have been some of your memorable collaborations with these?

There have been so many that it’s hard to single out one or two. Naturally, some of our strongest and longest partnerships have been with local Portland groups like the Northwest Trail Alliance and Community Cycling Center. 

What are some of the leading challenges you are seeing these grassroots initiatives facing? (financial, community engagement etc)

It usually comes down to people. If you can get a dynamic leader who knows how to fundraise and inspire volunteers then you’re going to be okay. It’s always a struggle being a nonprofit and sustaining the organization, but with great leadership you can make it happen. I’ve seen a lot of organizations either rise or fall on the strength of leadership over the years.

How do you feel others in the cycling sector can support these community initiatives? And what advice might you give an organization like yours seeking to do so?

Well, you probably have time or money but not both. When PDW didn’t have a lot of money we donated our time by volunteering to table at events, organize trail building parties, etc. As the business took off and we got busier, we shifted to more monetary donations and product donations to raise money through raffles and membership gifts and such. 

I once heard the leader of a mountain bike advocacy organization in Minnesota say that you’re not a real mountain biker unless you either volunteer to build trails for 10 hours a year or donate $100 to support trails per year. That makes sense to me.

It doesn’t matter how you support cycling, but support it! 

The post “It doesn’t matter how you support cycling but support it!” Portland Design Works on better biking for all appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

HUB Cycling’s Bike Awards returned for its twelfth year on March 8, 2025 to celebrate the people who are making cycling more accessible across the region.

Almost 200 cycling advocates, politicians, and regional and provincial decision-makers attended the awards ceremony held at MEC Vancouver. Attendees from all levels of government were present including MP Bonita Zarrillo, MLA Susie Chant, and Acting Burnaby Mayor Alison Gu.

Our Community Bikes was awarded the Cycling and Inclusion award for its dedicated work providing affordable and accessible biking for Vancouver’s residents, through its range of programs which seek to cater for all needs. From Access Nights to DIY repair, Youth Clubs to the Oppenheimer Park Repair Clinic, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, income, religion or race, there is a space for everybody at OCB.

Bicycles are critical for Transportation Justice. They enable community participation, the ability to earn an income and access services. Lack of options for affordable, reliable transportation can further limit opportunities for people to make the connections they need, and access the resources required to move beyond their current circumstances.

At the heart of our work is empowerment, teaching people to fix their own bikes, providing bike mechanics and work experience for those who face barriers to employment.

Another large part of our mandate as a non-profit, charity is education, providing mechanical skills and cycling knowledge, delivering training for young mechanics, educating the community on how to refurbish and reuse bikes.

We also seek to enable cycling by providing bikes to low-income individuals and offering free maintenance services, equipping local municipalities with the capacities to reduce landfills.

These awards, coordinated by HUB Cycling, a charitable non-profit that has spent over two decades removing barriers to cycling in Metro Vancouver, brought together the great and good of local biking, honoring schools, bike shops, community leaders, movements and individuals for their role in accelerating more inclusive and sustainable transportation with pedal power!

The post Our Community Bikes wins award for work on inclusive biking appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

The cycling industry’s workforce and target market lacks diversity. There are numerous examples of inequitable opportunities for underrepresented groups in sales and mechanics roles, as well as in purchasing cycling attire or riding itself.

Lack of representation within bike shops can feel intimidating or unwelcoming, posing a barrier for those interested in cycling. This exclusive access culture can perpetuate barriers for a host of people to engage with the cycling community, and can contribute to creating a toxic, exclusive industry. 

Our workplace and programming is low barrier and offered through an anti-oppressive lens in order to create an inclusive space. The equity and justice framework prioritizes a more diverse pool of people in the cycling industry as well as the broader workforce. By hiring and training people underrepresented in the field, our staff reflect the community we serve and create a safer space to learn skills and build confidence. 

OCB’s Gear Up program, in partnership with YWCA Metro Vancouver, offers a free 13-week mechanics program equipping youth ages 15 – 30 with the skills, certification and employer connections necessary to work as a bike mechanic. 

Aimed at individuals who may not stereotypically enter cycling, or face barriers to employment in the sector, this course provides a supportive space, nurturing new talent.

Ever thought of getting into bike mechanics, but don’t know where to start? We spoke to a recent Gear-Up Graduate, Bird, who provides the low-down on all you need to know!

bird

They/Them

Can you tell me a bit about yourself? 

Hey, I go by bird and my pronouns are they/them. I’m originally from Edmonton, Alberta and I got my BFA from Concordia University in Montreal. I kind of have half a classical music degree and half a visual arts degree (long story). Right now, in terms of creative focus, I’m an oboist and hand poke tattoo artist. With the oboe I do stuff in the realm of noise/free jazz/free improvisation, and with tattooing I like doing abstract drawings based off things like crackling paint or dappled light through the trees on the pavement.

I generally always have a lot of creative projects going on. I like to make things and I’m always tinkering on something.

What is it about bikes and bike mechanics that interests you?

Maybe eight years ago in Montreal I decided to bike through the winter for the first time, and I think it made a significant positive impact on my mental health. All that time I’d previously spent on the bus or metro doom-scrolling under the fluorescent lights on a daily basis, was replaced with a fun, challenging, chaotic outdoor activity. 

I found myself among friends who were also cycling and with whom I felt politically aligned. That was when I started to get excited about bikes and to more deeply appreciate what they can do and what they can represent. I started doing some of my own simple/uninformed maintenance, and appreciated the anarchist and DIY values held in bike community spaces.

I think it’s cool that bikes can kind of become an extension of your own body because all that energy is just coming from you (side note: e-bikes make cycling accessible to more people = two thumbs up). You can get really attached to a bike. They can basically be as inexpensive as you want them to be.

All the systems are right there out in the open for you to see. I really like taking things apart and learning how they work. I get really excited about learning a new concept or process. I like looking at what I have in front of me and seeing what I can do with it.

How did you hear about Gear up?

I found out about it through OCB, when I brought my bike in for some repairs!

What motivated you to apply to the course?

I tend to be quite motivated to try things that are scary to me at first. Many things that I really enjoy doing now, used to be some of the most terrifying things in the world. Like, improvisation. Or driving. Or working on bikes. I’ll find myself feeling extremely interested in learning or trying something new, but still needing quite a lot of time and support to get started. I did a little bit of work on my bike in Montreal at the community drop-in stand nights, but being an anxious creature meant it was challenging for me to feel comfortable enough to show up and to get into it as much as I wanted. 

Seeing how Gear Up seemed to be a way to learn and get connected to the bicycle world in a more structured way, I thought that had a lot of potential to help me gain confidence, knowledge and sense of belonging to jump off later on into more self-directed work, learning and engagement in the community.

What were your concerns/anxieties beforehand?

Since getting on disability in July 2023, I’ve been focusing heavily on rest and re-orienting my life away from “work” in the capitalist sense. However, for several years prior, I’d already been aware that full-time work, school, or anything, was beyond my capacity as a long-term way of existing. So, I was facing Gear Up as an opportunity that I really, truly felt motivated to do, after quite a bit of time with just “existing as a creature” being my full-time job.

Just starting to see my experiences through the lens of disability and chronic illness was (still is) new to me. I remember feeling concerned about whether I would need to mask as I have in every other interview, like “yeah I’m just looking for a job, I can do all that, I just want to find a good job 40 hours a week or so as a bike mechanic, that’s my goal, thumbs up, etc,” in order to be considered eligible. But then I was asked, “what do you think would be a sustainable work situation for you?” And I thought, this is the first time I’ve gone into something like this and have been encouraged to consider what really is sustainable for me.

I also have struggled with the automatic thoughts in the realm of “I can’t do this; this is too much to handle,” and those definitely came up as I was approaching Gear Up, being a challenge beyond my comfort zone in more than one way – and a meaningful one, at that. I needed to reassure myself that if it wasn’t a good fit, or the commitment was too much of a load on my system, I could decide to not finish – and that would also be okay! I think that I needed that reassurance in order to fully trust all the moments where I felt engaged, motivated, committed, curious, encouraged and safe.

How do you feel Gear up addresses the cycling sector’s lack of diversity? 

So, I can only speak from my own experience and perspective: gender nonconforming, some unique flavour of neurodivergent, disabled, white, under 30. Those are some key words for context, there’s a lot to unpack about them. I’ll focus on a few ideas, but I know there are many more we could touch on.

I think the initial points of contact for a program like Gear Up, or any new situation, are just as crucial as anything else along the way in the question of accessibility. I imagine there are lots of folks like myself who feel our way through unfamiliar territory cautiously, vigilant for red flags or signs that a space may not be safe or accessible, as protective measures – especially if we are entering a space where we might not expect to find “people like me”.

Looking back, the interview process was what gave me some initial green flags. I felt that the type and amount of work I was interested in and capable of was not only respected, but received as normal. I felt that the workload and scheduling for the whole program was well-designed to create some space and flexibility to keep the challenges in a healthy “stretching” of the comfort zone. 

For example, having a work placement scheduled in 3-day work weeks rather than being thrown into a 5-day work week (which, in my opinion, needs to be overthrown as a normal amount to be working). It is normal and okay to need space and time to adjust and become accustomed to something new.

Throughout the program, my needs and ways of being were treated as normal. Not special, not “strange but sure, that’s alright.” Just, normal, but still worthy of attention and respect. That felt significant, because even I have had trouble seeing myself this way – so, when someone else does, it’s nice to mirror what they see.

Specifically – okay, it might sound simple to some, but – being asked directly if I had accommodations requests before the course started felt really big to me. I think it was the first time in a learning or work setting where I’d been asked this directly, seriously, and with the knowledge that if I shared my needs, they would be considered and respected. I had to take a few days to reply to that email so I could think about it. This experience encouraged me to ask, of my own accord, for accommodations later on during my work placement at OCB – because I had just been shown that it is normal and acceptable to ask.

This is one example of this process I’ve seen where we are offered opportunities to have positive, supportive, expansive experiences that build our resilience, so we can enter into once seemingly-impossible situations. And once we know that those experiences imbued with mutual respect and understanding are possible, we carry them with us and are less likely in the future to settle for any less.

I think all these experiences in Gear Up acted as scaffolding for me to build the skills and confidence to be able to carry my own weight, to be able to say “I belong here”, to treat my needs as important, and take my own initiative to keep learning and working on bikes. The more of us who are invited into a learning and working culture that values and operates on a foundation of mutual respect, strength in diversity (not the tokenism kind) and anti-oppression – well, the more that culture will expand and multiply.

What was your experience like working at OCB? (feel free to be honest!)

Oh my gosh, it was a really nice time. I’ve grown very attached, to be honest. Any time I said, “I made a mistake!” Someone would be like “heck yeah! You learned a thing!”

I also had a chance to bring up and work through some stuff around one of my bigger “work-related challenges” which is, broadly, time management, speed, efficiency and such. It was refreshing to be able to talk about that stuff in the open. I was reminded frequently that when we’re learning something new, our main goal is to become really familiar with the process, solving problems and getting good at it. Speed and efficiency will come with familiarity and practice.

Like, seriously. Talk about a safe learning environment.

What piece of advice would you give somebody who was considering applying to the course?

Be gentle with yourself. Drink water. Eat food. Take a rest day if you need it. Take notes. Be gentle with yourself (again and again).

The post Bike mechanics is for YOU… yes YOU! appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Our Community Bikes has witnessed this progress from the frontline. However, as demand for our services and programs has demonstrated, there is a long way to go. 

To find out more about how Canada’s cities are advancing cycling, and the barriers they face, OCB talked to Professor Meghan Winters, a leading active travel expert at Simon Fraser University. Leading the Cities, Health and Active Transportation Research Lab, Mobilizing Justice, INTERACT and many other projects, Winters has conducted research on a range of sustainable transportation-related initiatives.

Your work has involved extensive research into accessible and inclusive active travel. What led you to this field? And what excites you about it?

I’ve been riding my bike to get around in the city for 30+ years. For a long time, it was because it was the cheapest way to get where I needed to go. Certainly I also ride for  physical activity, for efficiency, and for climate reasons. I’d say it just became a part of who I am. I love seeing the city at this pace. Many of my ideas come to me while I’m on my bike! 

While in my early years I may have been somewhat fearless, I’ve certainly realized – as I rode around the city pregnant, then with kids on the bike, and then letting them ride alongside or independently – that gaps in the cycling network mean many people can’t get where they need to go on a bicycle. They don’t have route choices that feel safe and comfortable. 

That is to say, in my research I am working toward ways we can shape our cities so that people of all ages and abilities have transportation choices – and they don’t need to be as reliant on motor vehicles. Making major shifts in how people get around can create quieter, safer, and less polluted cities for EVERYONE to live in, for years to come.  

On the Mobilizing Justice project you are on the Transportation Modes working group. This explores the barriers Canadians face when using different modes of transportation (e.g. walk, bike, transit, car). What are the leading barriers which you feel Canadian cities should address, and have the current capacity to do so?

I’d start by giving a call out to a great new book by Anna Zivarts  “When Driving is not an Option”. This book does a stellar job of bringing forward the stories of people who cannot or do not drive, for reasons related to disability, to age (young or old), for financial constraints, or for personal reasons. 

Most people don’t realize that for 30% of our population, driving is simply not an option. 

Governments design and invest in our cities largely overlooking these people – those who might most need the support. 

In terms of what barriers need to be addressed, simply put, we’re in a major deficit of sustainable transportation infrastructure as a result of building cities in ways that prioritize motor vehicle travel for many, many decades. Governments always face budget constraints; however, it’s all trade-offs. We can choose to spend more transportation dollars on public transit, on sidewalks, and on bicycle infrastructure, instead of roads and highways. 

Which barriers will take longer and involve more investment and resources?

While sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure may come at a fraction of the cost of new roads and highways, initiatives like rapid transit projects are certainly big ticket items. Still, this is a crucial investment, as rapid transit can enable large volumes of people to travel longer trip distances. I’m pleased to see the federal government making greater investments, such as through the Canadian Public Transit Fund, which will provide $3 billion per year for public and active transportation infrastructure, starting in 2026-7.

Why might some of these barriers be specific to Canadian cities? (eg: urban design, social, political factors) 

Something that often comes up as a barrier to Canadian cities is our climate – the cold winters and snow. Being from Vancouver I do get teased when I speak about this, but I’d highlight that Canadian cities such as Edmonton, Quebec City, and many others have established proactive plans for snow clearing for their bike networks. Also in Montreal, the BIXI bike share program is open year round (and expansion from 50 stations in winter 2023 to150 stations in winter 2024). 

Politics are always at play, although that is not anything uniquely Canadian. Cities with bold leaders can make major progress towards supporting sustainable transportation (e.g., Mayor Valorie Plante in Montreal!). They can also take us backwards. Currently, we’re all watching Ontario Premier Rob Ford’s Bill 212. If this controversial bill passes, it gives the province sweeping control over municipal bike lanes and may result in the removal of three major corridors in Toronto (Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue). 

Transportation is a challenge in cities of all sizes – the large, the mid-sized, and the small communities. People need sustainable transportation infrastructure to travel within their community, but also options for travel between communities, or across larger regions. In much of Canada there are not currently intercity rail- or bus- options, making for different patterns than Europe.  

What I would say is that cities are interested in learning from each other and learning from cities they consider “peers”. Partnerships like Mobilizing Justice, or national practitioner-oriented meetings like the Transportation Association of Canada, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, or the Canadian Institute of Planners are great places for Canadian communities to share with each other. 

Your working group also addresses transport poverty. What have been the main findings? And how might these factors have changed in the last decade?

Transport poverty occurs when social and economic disadvantage compounds with transportation disadvantage, such as not having access to a car, poor public transit options, or substandard walking and cycling infrastructure. When transportation options are unsafe, unaffordable, or unsuitable, they can create barriers for people trying to get and keep a job, access healthcare and social services, buy groceries, or participate in community activities. 

Estimates suggest that more than 1 million Canadians are in transport poverty. Unless we are building major public transportation projects, and in communities that most need them (not only the easiest, politically or logistically), we’re not going to see that decline. Luckily, we do know what is needed!

The Transportation Modes group seeks to develop and implement an outreach and engagement strategy for involving local and national organizations. Where have you seen good practices for this? 

With Mobilizing Justice, the Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) has been running a Community of Practice since 2022. This is a venue where community organizations and researchers can come together to improve the understanding of experiences of Canadians facing transport poverty, and help to move forward priorities and community initiatives in response. 

Mobilizing Justice has also developed a Catalogue of Canadian Community Initiatives Addressing Transport Poverty, which documents and describes community initiatives across Canada that are addressing transport poverty and increasing modal choice. There is an interactive map so you can find community organizations in your local area. 

Mobilizing Justice is also creating other end-user tools, such as the Transportation Equity Dashboard. On this tool you can explore, map, and share the accessibility in your community. 

What would be your advice for local governments and transport sector stakeholders who are seeking to coordinate outreach with local advocacy and grassroots initiatives?

I’d encourage governments and decision-makers to be listening carefully, valuing the expertise, and compensating local advocacy and grassroots initiatives for time and input. There is so much passionate advocacy in our communities, and a vibrancy in this space. However, it’s done on such a shoe-string budget, or off the side of one’s desk.  

Our Community Bikes conducts extensive work on engaging young people in cycling by equipping them with the skills and knowledge around bike maintenance. Through your research, what have been some of the other factors preventing young people from cycling?

I know in our work with youth in South Vancouver, we’ve heard they really need safe, comfortable infrastructure that connects them to the places and people they care about. Many youth rely on active transportation – they don’t have cars to get around – but the see active transportation as both functional and fun.  

Bike share might be one way to help youth to have more choices for how get around. It can be faster and more flexible than our crowded transit lines! One thing I’ve been pleased to see is the Mobi’s partnerships with high schools. Offering passes for $20 annual pass is a great deal! In my neighbourhood I regularly see teens commuting to school using Mobi. Especially for kids who may not have bikes and/or places to store them, this is a great way to still enable them to use bikes to get around the city. 

When it comes to Canada’s progress on active travel, what are you most excited about? And what do you feel will be one of the biggest challenges ahead?

I’m loving that e-bikes are more affordable and available. E-bikes allow more and different people to get on a bike, for more and different kinds of trips. My 87 year old father is still regularly out and about on his e-bike! We also see families with kids on e-bikes, getting to school, to soccer practice, or just around town. All this makes a difference to everyday travel choices, and the volumes of motor vehicles on the road. 

The biggest challenge will always be political will. As the region continues to grow it is true that we will need ‘sticks’ alongside ‘carrots’ in our policy solutions if we are to get a handle on congestion and keep goods movement flowing. Congestion pricing will be a vital policy for liveable cities. The City of Vancouver looked into congestion pricing in 2020 but voted it down in 2022. In January 2025 congestion pricing launched in New York City, and the very early estimates suggest ~10% decreases in motor vehicle traffic. 

Something to watch carefully! 

The post The politics of pedal power: Meghan Winters on the future of active travel in Canada appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

It is little secret that the cycling industry has a diversity problem. Almost 90% of bike shops in North America are owned by men, with women-identifying individuals accounting for just 8% of workshop roles. While much discussion about diversity in cycling focuses on who’s on the saddle, there is growing urgency to address the face of the sector itself.

OCB’s Gear Up program, coordinated in cooperation with YWCA Metro Vancouver, is seeking to do just this. The free 13-week program equips youth ages 15 – 30 with the skills, certification and employer connections necessary to work as a bike mechanic. 

Changing cultures in the cycling sector is at the heart of OCB’s vision for the future of pedal power. Indeed, it is reflected in our own staff- who reflect the diversity of Vancouver’s inhabitants.

As a result, OCB delivers this course across the year, bringing in talented and enthusiastic individuals who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to enter the field, providing a welcoming and instructive environment.

The course provides five weeks of in-class skills development workshops, including Introduction to Bike Mechanics Certificate, six weeks of work experience with a local bike repair shop (training allowance provided), and two weeks of one-to-one job search support. 

Indeed, many of OCB’s colleagues began their careers through this program. 

“I signed up to the program because I didn’t know what else to do after high school. It was mostly something to make my parents happy, but also I had an inclination it would be something I liked because I’ve always had a competency with tools and mechanical problems,” says Nes Pederson, mechanic at OCB.

“I have recommended the program before, especially to my women trans and queer peers. I wouldn’t have gotten into the industry without gear up, it gave me instant access to a very inaccessible world. It’s very hard to break through the feeling of not belonging, even in a shop like OCB, where my co-workers are accepting. 

“I wouldn’t have felt comfortable without the “tools” in my back pocket gear up provided me. Those tools being cursory knowledge of bicycles and an early sense of the possibility of forging community,” They continue.

Entering the sector is just the beginning

However, entering the cycling sector is just the first step. All too often, exclusionary cultures inhibit underrepresented and equity-deserving genders* from remaining in, and progressing through, the industry. 

“Gaining mechanical skills isn’t like riding a bicycle, you have to use it or lose it. New mechanics start in entry-level roles, but because of the seasonal nature of bike shops, there are generally less long-term opportunities. A way to get around that is to be friends with other cyclists interested in mechanics. You ride bikes, so you talk about bikes, and then you fix bikes… But when you’re socially excluded, where do you go to get experience?” says another of OCB’s Gear-Up alumni. 

“That’s why mechanical training and access programming made by and for equity-deserving groups is essential to growing the cycling community and industry. That’s what we do here.” 

As a result OCB’s Second Gear initiative, a peer-led educational series for entry-level professionals of equity-deserving genders is seeking to develop a rounded comprehension of bike world basics that will bolster personal confidence and longevity for those already within the industry.

Could you be part of the next cohort of Gear-Up mechanics?

Are you a young aspiring bike mechanic, eager to get into the industry but don’t know where to start? Get in touch with the OCB team and we can answer any questions or concerns, as well as provide guidance on how to register.

The post Gearing the bike sector up for change appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

So, who are the supporters behind our ever-expanding work? We caught up with Karen Benson (she/her), who has played an important role supporting the shop and its programs.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you are involved in the cycling world.

Nothing makes me happier than getting out and riding my bike! I get a kick out of seeing where a bike can take me and what I can take along for the ride — maybe it’s picking up a pumpkin from Westham Island or stashing a box of Duffin’s donuts in my panniers. 

To get more involved with the cycling community, I started volunteering with the Pedals for the People program at OCB a few years ago. It’s also been a great way to learn skills, help give new life to old bikes, and recycle parts to keep stuff out of the landfill. 

How do you use your bicycle? And what have been some of your most memorable experiences on your bike this year? 

I love riding as a way to get from point A to point B, and I’ve been a year-round bike commuter for about 15 years. I find it such an efficient way to move through the city and explore new places. It feels like a natural pace too; it’s quick enough to get somewhere but relaxed enough to feel connected to the spaces I ride through. 

For me, bike commuting is the best way to start and finish a work day. It’s built-in exercise in fresh air, gives me time to think, reduces traffic congestion, and saves money. Every season brings something new, like cherry blossoms popping in spring (or on the flip side, testing the limits of waterproof layers when it’s 2°C in sideways rain). 

I’ve been dipping my toes into bike camping the last few years and some of my favourite moments have come from those trips: Finding new trails on Gulf Islands, stopping to pick up tomatoes from a roadside veggie stand, or hanging out on beaches on the Sunshine Coast. I always pack my binoculars on bike camping trips because I’m a bird watching nerd, plus you never know when you might spot whales from the ferry. 

Where do you feel the city has made progress towards more inclusive and affordable cycling? And what key challenges do you feel are ahead for Vancouver?

I’ve got my own mental map of infrastructure improvements that have made a difference to my regular bike routes, but I know that my routes are just a small piece of a much, much bigger puzzle. There’s still a lot of potential across the city and region to make cycling safer and more inclusive. When it comes to progress and challenges, I’d encourage folks to check out the work that HUB Cycling does — they’ve got excellent resources and research about what our region has achieved and what’s still ahead. If you’ve ever had the experience of sailing along a bike lane that suddenly (and alarmingly) ends, you’ll appreciate their “Ungap the Map” initiative, which highlights gaps that currently exist and aims to create a more connected, safer cycling network. 

How and why did you become involved with Our Community Bikes (OCB)?

I was looking for a way to give back to the bike community and pick up a few skills along the way. Based on what I knew about OCB, it seemed like a solid fit, so I signed up for a volunteer orientation. 

Shortly after my first few shifts, I was super fortunate to join their volunteer 16-week mechanics training course for Pedals for the People. It ended up being a commitment of three hours every Sunday night for four months; I’m so glad I got to be part of it and learn in such a supportive environment. I’ll never forget when I opened up a hub for the first time to see the bearings and how it all fit together — it was a whole other side to bikes that I didn’t know existed. 

Since then, I’ve been volunteering almost every week for a few hours and I still learn something new almost every shift. Before I started volunteering, my bike skills mainly consisted of fixing a flat tire and lubing a chain. 

Now I feel more confident about tackling other projects on my own bikes, like changing brake pads, replacing cables and housing, and truing wheels. I’ve even built a couple of wheels (with a lot of help along the way). Things that used to feel mysterious, like the tool wall, aren’t intimidating anymore. 

Where do you feel OCB fits in the city’s journey towards more inclusive cycling?

I think a lot of people in Vancouver see OCB as a bike shop, full stop. But it’s so much more than that. OCB is part of PEDAL (PEDAL = Pedal Energy Development Alternatives) which is the non-profit society that oversees Our Community Bikes… and they offer tons of local programs alongside the bike shop. 

One example? I’ve been volunteering with their Pedals for the People program, which provides free bikes to people facing financial barriers, along with subsidized repairs. That program is just one of many. There’s also DIY access nights, workshops, youth programs, repair clinics out in the community, and more. Every week, OCB has something going on to contribute to more inclusive cycling in the city and to help make biking more accessible. 

OCB’s vision is a community without oppression where bicycles are accessible to all, regardless of perceived ability, employment status, income, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Both the OCB bike shop and the programs offered by PEDAL strive to line up with that vision — Vancouver really wouldn’t be the same without them. 

The Canadian winter is upon us! What advice would you give to encourage somebody to continue cycling in the windy, wet and chilly weather?

You can do it! Sure, it’s easier to bike when it’s not rainy, windy, or cold. But it’s totally doable with the right gear and mindset. Plus it makes the warm, sunny days ahead feel even sweeter when they do arrive. A few gear tips:

For your bike:

• Fenders: To keep the puddles off your body and bike. There are often lots of inexpensive used fenders to choose from at OCB. 
• Lights: Good bike lights (front and rear) are key. I like the USB rechargeable ones for easy charging, and I often tuck an extra pair of lights in my bag just in case. 

For your body:

• Decent gloves: Cold hands make any ride miserable. I have a few pairs of bike gloves with different warmth levels to get me through the winter — they make a huge difference.
• Waterproof layers: A waterproof jacket is a must. If it’s really pouring, I like to layer on waterproof pants too. 
• Reflective vest: Last year, I found one in the OCB used bins for $8 and I love it. It helps with visibility at intersections and in traffic, and acts as extra mini waterproof protection too.

The post Behind the scenes with the OCB family appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Last fall, Our Community Bikes (OCB) partnered with students from the Master of Management (MM) program at UBC Sauder School of Business, supporting their Community Business Project. The Community Business Project is a cornerstone of UBC Sauder’s MM program; designed to connect passionate students with non-profit organizations, providing consulting support and actionable advice on real-world challenges. Organizations benefit from innovative, actionable strategies developed by students, and students in turn receive practical application of their business tools.

For OCB, this collaboration was an opportunity to address one of its core goals:  establishing a fundraising plan for the Capital Campaign and expanding the non-profit’s impact in the local community.

“The Capital Campaign, initiated by OCB in April 2024, seeks to support OCB’s relocation to a new facility, enabling the organization to sustain and expand its vital programs and operations for the benefit of the community.“

The project kicked off in September, with two groups of five Sauder students examining OCB’s operations, mission, and community impact. Over a four-month period, the students worked closely with OCB staff and stakeholders to devise partnership opportunities that aligned with OCB’s core values and supported its long-term vision of equitable, accessible, and sustainable transportation for all. 

Students began by interviewing OCB staff, volunteers, and board members to understand the organization’s needs and challenges. They also contacted the broader community through surveys, gathering input from OCB’s customers, donors, and program participants. Through these efforts, the students identified five key values that define OCB’s mission and impact—values that can be leveraged to align with potential corporate partners.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Programs like Pedals for the People (PFTP), Deaf Access Nights, and Women Trans Queer (WTQ) Nights underscore OCB’s deep commitment to equity and inclusion, providing equitable access to cycling for underserved and underrepresented populations. These initiatives address systemic barriers and create opportunities for marginalized communities by promoting fair access to transportation and cycling resources.

Affordability
Affordability is central to OCB’s operations. The organization enables access to bike repairs, resources, and bicycles through a model built on donations and volunteer efforts. By actively addressing financial barriers, OCB ensures that transportation and exercise opportunities are within reach for community members who might otherwise face exclusion.

Sustainability
Sustainability is both a core value and an operational principle for OCB. Its leadership in recycling and reusing bike parts minimizes waste while providing affordable services. This exemplifies their environmental responsibility and resonates with corporate partners prioritizing sustainable practices.

Accessible Transportation
OCB’s mission is fundamentally about providing affordable and accessible transportation solutions. Programs like DIY repair workshops equip clients with the tools and skills they need to integrate cycling into their daily lives, promoting autonomy and reducing reliance on costly transportation alternatives. 

Health and Wellness
Cycling as a form of active transportation, enhances both physical and mental well-being. OCB’s initiatives foster healthier lifestyles within the community, supporting fitness and mental health through programs and resources that encourage regular activity.

These five core values provide a solid foundation for OCB to form meaningful partnerships with organizations that share its mission. The students’ report utilized these values to create an actionable timeline and clear roadmap to help OCB secure impactful and lasting corporate partnerships for its Capital Campaign. In November, the student team compiled their findings and presented their work to OCB staff , outlining key opportunities for partnerships and practical tools to pursue them.

This partnership between OCB and UBC Sauder showcases the power of collaboration in addressing non-profit organizational challenges. As OCB moves forward, the tools and strategies developed during this project will hopefully play a key role in shaping its future. 

By forging partnerships with like-minded organizations, OCB is building a foundation for sustainable growth and long-term impact. This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when students, non-profit organizations, and communities come together to create change. For OCB, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter.

The post Pedaling Forward: OCB Partners with UBC Sauder to Expand Community Impact appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Partnering with Vancouver’s local cycling communities is part and parcel of what Our Community Bikes (OCB) does. From Youth Club to Pedals for the People program, to the refurbished bikes sold in our shop, we exist to serve individuals and organizations across Vancouver who need access to affordable, safe and secure transportation… supported by the city’s incredible biking community.

So, when YVR Fixed coordinated an alleycat to help boost OCB’s Winter Fundraising Campaign, we were thrilled, but not surprised; it was the cherry on top of incredible support the cycling club has given to OCB for many years. 

So who are YVR I hear you ask? Well, for anybody looking to get involved with the fixie scene, we spoke with club founder, Aska about how the group was founded, how they collaborate with the local community and how others can get involved.

Their moto? ‘As long as you love fixed gear, and want to hang out with rad people, then you are welcome!’

Quick lingo breakdown

1. Fixie/Fixed gear- A fixed-gear bicycle commonly known in some places as a fixie is a bicycle that has a drivetrain with no freewheel mechanism such that the pedals always will spin together with the rear wheel.
2. Alleycat- An alleycat race is an unsanctioned bicycle race. Alley cats almost always take place in cities, and are often organized by bicycle messengers. The informality of the organization is matched by the emphasis on taking part, rather than simple competition. The races normally run through cities, with checkpoints along the way but no set route. Solid traffic, pavements, red lights, and even stairs are all fair game, which makes the races unpopular with police, motorists or pedestrians – and normally illegal.

How was YVR Fixed founded?

When I found out about fixed gear bikes after high school I fell in love with it instantly. Like many people around the city, I mostly rode by myself, and that lasted for about half a decade. 

It wasn’t until around 2017 that I wanted to find others that share the same passion for fixed gear bikes as I did. I didn’t know anyone in the community at the time. I looked online for fixed gear bike groups, but all I found were a couple groups that had become inactive, and Nightridersyvr, which was way out of my league at the time. 

I thought to myself: There are fixed gear bike groups in other bigger North American cities, why doesn’t Vancouver have one? Given the counterculture quality of fixed gear biking and the city’s love for outdoor sports. It seems to be a prime location for this subculture to thrive. 

Eventually, while I was building a new bike at Kickstand, when it was still at its old location by Commercial Dr, I learned from Eric M about the annual St. Valentine’s Massacre, the longest running alleycat in NA. That was my first alleycat race and my first exposure to a community bike event. 

From there I met Matthew W., who would become the first member of YVRFIXED. We would meet up and ride around the city together, and in 2018 with the help of Cyrus S, the fixed gear meetups started. From Thursday meetups to the current Fixie Fridays. With a lot of passion and effort, the group slowly started growing every year, until it has become the entity it is today.

Why the fixed gear bike? What would you say to somebody to convince them to give fixed gear a go?

You will hear from someone who rides a fixed gear describe how you’ll become one with the bike, how it’s so much more exciting, and how simple and straightforward the riding is. It’s all true and so much more! A fixed gear bike will respond to everything you tell it to do. It’ll go as fast or slow as your legs will spin, it’ll turn on a dime if your heart so desires, and you will be part of a group of passionate cyclists who love cycling so much that they prefer to ride it in its purest form.

What are the main barriers for people getting into cycling in Vancouver?

With fixed gear bikes, money isn’t usually the factor that’s stopping you from getting into cycling. The biggest barrier for people getting into cycling in Vancouver is the lack of protection for cyclists riding in the city. Even though cyclists are legally allowed to ride on the main city roads, oftentimes cyclists are pushed to only ride on bike paths, which some are along the hilliest parts of Vancouver, or they contain so many roundabouts where car drivers can be seen speeding through them without regard to other road users. New cyclists can be easily intimidated by impatient drivers bustling through the city.

How are you folks involved in the local community? What other kinds of events do you coordinate?

YVRFIXED holds regular meetups throughout the week all year long, rain or shine. Other than our weekly Fixie Friday social meet ups, we have tracklocross rides on Thursdays in the cold season, and Thursday Rush Rides in the warmer months, as well as a trick meetup on Tuesdays. 

What’s special is that while I created a few group rides, these other nights have been spearheaded and implemented by other club members. Our members are from all walks of life. We have folks that work in community bike shops, compete in the local bike polo club (East Van Bike Polo), and participate in an array of bike events and group rides in Vancouver. We held bike events and races every month in 2024 (Hill climb races, tracklocross races, and alleycat races). 

We also organize a Summer Crit Series for fixed gear bikes every summer since 2022. We’re likely the most active cycling group in the city that runs all year long.

Why is supporting OCB important to you? and how have you worked with OCB in the past?

Words cannot describe all the help OCB has provided to the cycling community throughout the years. 

Before changing the world, it’s important to know that by supporting your local communities you will have the most impactful influence on how your city will shape. 

We have members that work for HUB cycling and community bike shops. By supporting OCB, we also support all the folks that enjoy all the physical and mental benefits a bike can bring, especially if they are facing barriers that prevent them access to a bike. Other than participating in OCB’s events, we have recently held a fundraiser race for OCB’s Pedal For The People program.

What local ride would you recommend to somebody who wanted to try out a good fixed-gear ride?

If you want to ride a fixed gear bike with other people. Our Fixie Friday meetup is the best place to start. You will meet with people that share the same passion. Fixie Friday is a social ride that usually starts around 7-7:30pm and goes well into the night. It’s a nice way to explore the city at a chill pace with multiple stops for food, hangouts, and drinks.

Find out more about YVR on their website, or follow them on Instagram

The post Ever tried a fixie? YVR Fixed reveals all you need to know appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan affirms its goal to make the majority of trips on foot, bike, and public transit.

The city has undoubtedly made progress in its active travel agenda, expanding and extending greenways, developing cycle parking services and investing in public bike share. 

The numbers are going in the right direction. The volume of people commuting to work by bike doubled between 2006 and 2016; nonetheless, we are nowhere near the critical mass required to achieve modal shift targets. Although more than half of all trips in the city are under 5 km, over half of these trips are currently made by car. Indeed, ‘doubling’ of cycle commuter traffic may sound impressive, but when you realize this is still less than 3% of trips, the veneer of progress dissipates quickly.

Maintaining modal shift means prioritizing youth

Meeting Vancouver’s targets with the “commitment and creativity” outlined in its action plan, means starting from the bottom, with the city’s youth. 

Repeated evidence demonstrates that instilling environmentally conscious behaviours in formative years, helps establish life-long relationships with sustainability. Unless the city is able to encourage and facilitate a youth transport transition, the next generation of Vancouverites are destined to remain shackled to the combustion engine. 

However, there is a problem; at present the stats don’t look good. Just 4% of children in Canada cycle to school, and perhaps even more alarmingly, over half of kids living less than 5 minutes away from school drive there.

At OCB, we firmly believe in the power of youth engagement, and the value active and sustainable transit brings, not just to young people themselves, but their families and wider communities.

So how will we get kids on bikes… and keep them pedaling? 

OCB, alongside other initiatives in Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities are turning the next generation of transport users away from the car.

Getting them riding

The first step is getting youth on bikes to begin with, however, equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to ride is no easy task. Although many have the privilege of parental guidance, others rely on external support networks.

This is where HUB’s ‘Everyone Rides Grade 4-5’ comes in, providing elementary students with the education and training to ride their bikes to and from school.

“We are offering a safer way for students to get daily physical exercise and move within their community,” says Lorraine Smith, Program Manager.

The course, which is Led by HUB Cycling and funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, is delivered by partners across the province to elementary schools.

As part of the course, students participate in a lesson on safe cycling, learning fundamentals such as parts of the bicycle, helmet and bike inspections, how to ride responsibly, and other key knowledge.

Students then practice on-bike skills using simulated traffic scenarios around the schoolyard, challenging their bike handling skills and road knowledge through drills, games, as well as shared pathway and intersection scenarios.

It is not just a Vancouver initiative. The program, now in its 5th year, is being delivered in South Okanagan, the West Kootenays and a range of other areas across BC, with the goal of reaching 142+ public schools and over 14,200 grade 4 and 5 students across the province.

HUB is also adapting its resources to expand the program to reach beyond metro areas.

“We have just developed a teacher-led program we piloted in Powell River and Campbell River, and hope to expand to other small communities,” reports Smith.

Keeping them riding independently with mechanics skills

Learning to ride is just the first step in developing a cycling culture amongst young riders. Getting to grips with cycle mechanics is equally critical. Uncertainty around bicycle maintenance is a major deterrent for many young riders.

To help tackle this, Our Community Bikes’ Youth Bike Club is a free drop-in bicycle mechanics program, which has been in operation across Vancouver for over 5 years and aims to empower youth with riding and mechanic skills and build confidence and community around biking.

Every first Tuesday of the month, young people from across Vancouver convene at the OCB shop and learn vital skills required to independently maintain and service their own bikes. Students can either build a bike for themselves (Earn-a-bike scheme), learn how to repair and maintain their current bicycle or partner with a Young Riders program to build a bicycle for a younger student.

“Bike club is a fun place to go each week to learn about how bikes work, meet people, and hang out! It’s a really nice atmosphere and everyone has always been super inviting and helpful. I’ve only been coming for a couple months, but I’ve learned a lot and plan to continue coming for a while!” says Leah, a Bike Club Participant.

This self-sufficiency is also critical for making cycling more affordable, not just for participants themselves, but their families too. To improve affordability, OCB also partners with MOBI (Vancouver’s public bike share provider) to coordinate the Youth Community Pass, amongst participants, further enhancing the affordability of cycling and the spectrum of options available.

Understanding multi-modality 

Getting kids out of the car requires installing an understanding of the range of options available beyond the automobile, and opportunities for combining active travel with public transportation. 

While many youth may be confident bike riders, they are not necessarily as canny when it comes to combining their bike with the bus.

Many bus routes in Canada are equipped with bike racks, and in Vancouver, all TransLink buses have bike racks (accommodating two bikes), attached to the front of the bus. Yet, how to prepare a bike before the bus arrives, communicating with the driver, using the rack’s support arm and keeping an eye on the bike while traveling are all important elements of this process, and require guidance when starting out.

Understanding this will be critical in extending the distances users and able- and willing to- travel by bike.

One scheme “Get on the Bus” is prompting a nationwide shift in youth engagement with public transport. The initiative, which was inspired by Kingston’s (ON) Transit High School Bus Pass Program offering complimentary bus passes and transit training to students in Grade 9 to 12, works with municipalities and school boards across the country to do what it says on the tin… get kids on the bus!

“It is about making sure young people know their options beyond just jumping in the car,” says Dan Hendry, Co-founder, Program Director.

With support from the Small Change Fund the scheme seeks to hook young people on public transportation at an age when they develop transit independence, initiating travel habits and cultures which continue into later life.

The training involves not just navigating buses with bikes, but understanding how to identify insecure situations to ride safely. 

“Keep in mind, these are 16 year olds, an age when the car and the cultural cache it brings is a right of passage,” says Hendry.

“So we need to get the public transit mindset in beforehand, inserting multi-modal thinking in their formative years. Give them a good experience on a bus and, while they might not pick it up straight away, over time the change will happen.” he continues.

The scheme is now in action across other municipalities in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Alberta. 

Where can we go next?

These initiatives are a good start, but at present they reach just a fraction of the youth population required to produce a comprehensive modal shift towards active transportation. Large schemes like the Active Transportation Fund may be building up infrastructure, but without targeted interventions like Everybody Rides, Youth Bike Club and Get on the Bus, they will not inspire the next generation of transportation users. 

Are you a municipality, school or youth club looking to support youth into biking? Check out these resources for further information and guidance.

• Get on the Bus provides useful information and advice on their website.
• Durham region’s toolkit is an ideal basis for educational resources on cycle safety 
• British Columbia Cycling Coalition hosts a series of information pages on safe cycling which can form the basis of youth engagement
• General tips for getting kids riding are available on BikeClub.com

OCB coordinates a range of activities for youth. The OCB website is a resource for those seeking more information and ideas about possible formats for similar initiatives.

The post From cycle mechanics to bikes on buses: Three initiatives revolutionizing youth transport choices appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Cycling is more than pure pedal power, getting from A to B in the fastest time possible. It is about enjoying the outdoors, being part of life on the street, and the whole social ecosystem which comes with this. However, for many more senior folks or those with limited mobility, accessing the opportunity to cycle can be challenging.

This is where Vancouver Cycling Without Age comes in.

Founded in the spring of 2018, the registered society uses the trusty bicycle to reduce social isolation and increase both mental and physical health for folks in their older age. The concept is simple. Using a trishaw, a pedal propelled vehicle with a two-person bench on the front and a volunteer Pilots pedaling (e-assist in the back), volunteers visit care homes, senior centers and community groups to offer rides to those who want to view the world by bike, but may not be able to ride themselves.

What are the main ambitions of cycling without age? 

Wherever they are, whenever they want, we want to be there to provide seniors and individuals with limited mobility with a joyous adventure on our trishaw where they are seen and celebrated in their community and can feel the wind in their hair. 

In a broader sense, we want to tackle social isolation and ageism. We want seniors to feel connected to their communities, even long after they lose their independence, and we want this city to be a place where seniors are respected, loved, celebrated and included. 

How has the organization grown over the last few years? And where do you see yourselves going over the next few years? 

We started in 2018 as an idea. By 2019, we had our first trishaw. Now, we have 6 trishaws and are on the road every day from May to October. 

This past year, we grew by an average of 35%, pedalling 1,000 passengers 3,500kms across the city. We have 22 volunteer drivers operating the trishaws at 8 facilities. 

Next year, we hope to double our reach and number of volunteers. And over the next couple of years, we hope to establish hubs in different parts of the city where our trishaws can be stored, so that they are accessible to more facilities across the city.  

How do you feel cycling without age has changed what ‘cycling’ means? 

For us, cycling is not about getting somewhere in a hurry. We have no destination – it’s about the journey. We go slow and focus on connecting with our passengers and having them connect with the community  around them. Our trishaws are the tool with which passengers can be seen, and  can see the world around them. When we cycle, it’s a great reminder of the power of cycling – which is a time to focus, rid yourself of distractions and worries and just be in the moment.  

Why do you feel western society, particularly in large metropolitan areas, often overlooks seniors’ wellbeing? And how do you feel cycling without age confronts/ changes this? 

In our society, I believe that senior wellbeing is too often overshadowed by transactional care. With limited resources and even less time, always racing around from one thing to another, we often focus on what seniors need and neglect what they want and what they deserve. We forget that aging is still living, and that anyone, at any age, deserves to experience love and joy, not just medical care. 

The irony here is that a neglect of recreation has a direct, negative impact on the health of seniors that we are trying so hard to address. Research shows that social isolation, for example, is linked to greater risk of disease, disability, and cognitive decline – even more so than obesity.  So, because we treat seniors in this very prescriptive way, we have come to see them as just a drain on our community and our resources, rather than as fellow humans who have much to share and much to still live for. 

With CWA, our focus is on recreation. It’s on seeing, supporting and celebrating seniors, one trishaw ride at a time. When the public sees a senior on a trishaw cycling around the  seawall, there’s an exchange that happens. They wave and the senior feels seen and once again connected to their community. But that passerby who waves does not just see a care home resident – they see a neighbour – they see a fellow human out enjoying the world around them. 

How do you feel changes in cycling, particularly the introduction of new technologies  like e-bikes, has helped individuals cycle into older age? 

For us, it’s huge. Our rides are not possible without our e-assist motors. We can take seniors farther and for smoother rides than ever before. We can access off-road trails, scale minor hills and essentially allow seniors to access any space in the city. This would not be possible with manual bikes, particularly with two people on the front. For example, a standard duet bike is great, but it’s 1 to 1. By having two passengers, we have grandchildren that join their grandparents on the trishaw for a ride, or two friends in a care home facility that are able to get out together and socialize during a ride. These intergenerational connections are made possible by our motorized trishaws – that and the amazing love, care and leg strength of our volunteers! 

What types of partnerships have cycling without age established to maintain and expand its work?

We are fortunate to have all sorts of incredible partnerships. Our core partnerships are with the facilities that we serve. We think of it as a partnership, because we work together to offer this service to residents. They help us to communicate with residents, prepare residents for their rides, invite family members to join, and get them outside to load onto the trishaws. We couldn’t do it without them! 

We work with public and private facilities across the city. We’re also very fortunate  to have many wonderful individuals and foundations that support our work through providing storage space, and funding. Food Stash Foundation is our wonderful warehouse host where we store all of the trishaws and work out of.  

Fundraising is a big part of ensuring the future of organisations like yours, how do you  find innovative ways to raise money and awareness? 

It’s never easy, but the reality is that we need funding to do what we do and to expand and meet the growing demand. Yes, the bikes are big pieces of equipment that are expensive, but they  also require storage, insurance and regular maintenance. Then we have to pay for staff to manage everything and for a website and systems to schedule these hundreds of rides we do each month. The list goes on. 

We also host community rides where anyone from the public can sign up for a ride. This is great for seniors who are still living independently and their families, but it’s also a way for our bikes to be out there in public more, to be seen on a Sunday in Pacific Spirit Park, or stopped at Convivial Cafe & Bakery at Leg-In-Boot Square listening to music on a Saturday afternoon. 

What kind of further support do you feel would benefit you? 

More funding, more accessible grants and more volunteers! Funding is always great. This will always be a limiting factor, but that’s the same for any nonprofit. 

For us, I think the two biggest areas for support are spaces and recreation-based grants. And a lot of grants do not focus on recreation-based activities, so we are hoping for the city of Vancouver and for foundations and organizations who grant funding, to recognize the immense value of seniors to our community and of outdoor recreation for their health and well-being. We all win if we do this. 

What recent cycling without age project/initiative/action are you proud of? 

I think our Grandparents’ Day rides this past September really stand out to me. We had 4  generations of families come out and go on rides together. I had one very fit young woman who ran beside the trishaw with her dog while her mother and grandmother were on the trishaw (we don’t go very fast). It was so impressive and was so fun for all of us to cheer her on the whole time as we pedalled! That intergenerational connection is probably the part that I adore most and am most proud of. 

Want to know more about accessible cycling?

Building better biking means working together. Ensuring accessible cycling for all is at the heart of Our Community Bikes’ work, but it takes cooperation between advocacy organizations, local municipalities and others to achieve our goals. Check out the other articles in our blog, which together, provide a comprehensive overview of Vancouver’s progress towards cycling for all!

Want to find out more? Check out Vancouver Cycling Without Age’s website HERE.

The post Keeping the bike dream alive with Cycling Without Age  appeared first on Our Community Bikes.