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.

Analyses of schemes over the last decade exhibit that users are disproportionately young, male, white, highly educated, and from higher income groups. Women in North America and Europe make up only a quarter of users, while individuals from low-income backgrounds and people of color are also far less likely to use bike share services. 

Instead, it has been community bike shops which have been transforming access to cycling for low-income communities, people of color and less represented gender identities.

At first glance, community bike shops and bike share appear to be adversaries; the first helping folks own and maintain their own bicycles, the latter providing cooperative wheels. However, they are in fact on the same side of the battle to bring cycling to the masses.

As a result, working with community bike shops is a unique entry point for the cycle share sector to engage more comprehensively with diversity and inclusion in a targeted and durable way.

You can read the full article online HERE

The post How shared mobility can benefit from community bike shops appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

We spoke to their team to find out how they are striving to serve the city’s population, and what they have planned for the future.

How did Mobi start out, and why was there a need for public bike share in Vancouver?

The City of Vancouver, in partnership with Vancouver Bike Share Inc. (VBS) launched Mobi, a bike share program designed to increase daily bicycle use, fill a gap in Vancouver’s transportation network, improve transportation equity, and reduce emissions and congestion caused by vehicle traffic.

Can you define Mobi’s vision for the future of Vancouver’s transit landscape in a sentence?

Sustainable, accessible, and affordable urban mobility in Metro Vancouver.

What are the city’s major barriers to accessible and inclusive transportation? And how does Mobi bridge these gaps?

Vancouver faces several barriers to accessible transportation, including an incomplete cycling infrastructure network, limited affordability, and gaps in integration between different modes of transport. Many public transit options are not fully accessible to people with disabilities, and cycling infrastructure is not always connected nor available where people want to go. Additionally, public transit fares can be prohibitive for low-income individuals.

While there’s still room for improvement, Mobi by Rogers helps bridge these gaps by offering an inclusive, affordable bike-share system. Its fleet includes bikes designed for ease of use, and the docking stations are accessible to a wide range of users in neighborhoods that transcend socio economic borders. Mobi’s flexible pricing, including reduced fares for low-income residents, makes it more affordable. The service also complements public transit, helping people reach areas not well-served by buses or trains.

Mobi is in its 8th year of operation. What have been the key milestones for the company?

One of the first was completing our initial launch of 1,500 bikes and 150 stations in 2017.

Then in 2022 we introduced ebikes to our fleet, expanding to Point Grey and UBC Campus.

Another high point has been creating and operating an equity program (Community Pass) that gives qualifying individuals access to bikeshare for only $20 per year. The Community Pass program has a number of qualification methods including referrals from over 70 local community organizations, non-profits, and government organizations. These partners include organizations that support women, youth, seniors, recent immigrants and newcomers, low-income people, unhoused people, people with disabilities, racialized people, and Indigenous people.

And of course, reaching over 1 million rides in one year in 2023 and again in 2024 has been incredible!

What have been the key challenges you have faced, and what do you see as some of the key challenges for the future?

The economics of running a station-based world-class bike sharing system is challenging without grants and public subsidies. Most major bike share systems in North America are owned  and/ or funded by their municipal, provincial, and federal governments. It’s challenging to keep costs low for users when we rely on ridership revenue to fund our operations and capital expansions. 

We continue to work with partners like TransLink, HUB Cycling, and the Public Bike Share team at the City of Vancouver to ensure that bike share remains a reliable transportation option.

Does seasonality affect ridership? And if so, how do you deal with/ adapt to fluctuations in usage?

Very much so. Ridership declines as the weather gets colder. We run campaigns to educate the public on riding safely in the winter – it’s more doable than many believe! We also run special promotions during some of our slower months or leading up to the Spring to boost sales. We use this time effectively to plan for the following season, so that we can put our best foot forward – not a moment wasted!

Many cities around the world have public bike share. Does Mobi ever engage with/collaborate with other public bikeshare programmes to develop services?

Yes. We are members of the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association (NABSA) and attend their annual conference to connect, share, and learn from our counterparts across North America. 

How are you working with grassroots/local cycling advocacy organizations to help promote active travel?

We run several marketing campaigns annually with HUB Cycling – sponsoring their events like Go by Bike Week, Bike the Night, and community bike rides to educate people about the value of bike share & cycling. We also provide annual donations to help support their advocacy work.

The cycling sector faces significant challenges in regards to diversity, and many organizations have struggled to recruit more diverse teams. How has Mobi addressed this challenge?

We strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of our operations. We have an active DEI committee that conducts training with all employees upon hiring, provides DEI training to all department Managers to incorporate into their hiring practices, and works to foster a healthy and safe environment for our employees to work.    

And to end… What is your favourite Mobi dock station and why?

I think it has to be the one on 10th & Oak, by Vancouver General Hospital – mostly because of its location, it’s off-street under big, beautiful trees. It’s also used frequently by hospital staff, so I like to think that we’re doing our part in helping people as well.

The post The future of Vancouver’s public bike share: OCB talks to Mobi by Rogers appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Equipping yourself for winter cycling can be a challenge. There are always many things to consider, and asking for advice can feel daunting, especially if you’re surrounded by folks who appear to know what to do. 

How do I keep warm? How do I stay visible during the dark hours? How do I protect my bike from rusting? 

Luckily, Our Community Bikes’ Inventory Coordinator, Gari Sullano, is on hand to provide some useful tricks and key items which will keep you pedaling during the winter months.

1. Make sure you have full coverage fender sets

These are important not just for keeping yourself dry, but also protecting your bike from the wet weather, as it minimizes road spray going into critical components (e.g. lower headset bearings, bottom bracket/crankset/chain), thus slowing down wear. Some models even have mud flaps so your friends don’t get blasted in the face riding behind you.

2. Light up!

Staying seen is often difficult so make sure you have a light. void blinky/flashing lights as these can be distracting to other road users. Try and get USB rechargeable models as this makes it much easier (and cheaper) to power up.

3. Keep chain lubricant on hand

Riding in wet weather and through puddles can introduce water and/or road spray into chain components (pins/rollers), displacing light-weight lubricant. This means frequent reapplication is also needed. Wet lube is preferable as it usually has better staying power; nonetheless, chains still need to be wiped down on the outside to prevent gunk accumulation on other drivetrain components (chainrings, rear cogs, rear derailleur pulley wheels). Even a little chain maintenance is better than none!

4. Get yourself some gloves

This one is a no-brainer- cold hands suck straight up. Wearing gloves also improves your ability to control the bike and operate the brakes, so it is a worthwhile investment. Doesn’t need to be fancy. Just something to keep your hands warm.

5. Try a Safety Pizza

Safety Pizzas are the world’s most delicious safety device! They’re composed of a high-visibility, reflective ‘crust’ and reflective ‘toppings’ that you apply yourself to increase your visibility to other road users… and improves your ability to ride safely to the real pizza parlour. 

We sell them here at OCB, so come on down and get yours!

Beyond that, Gari’s glamorous guidance for riding safely:

• Dress/prepare for all weather conditions (layers are always better than bulky clothing)
• Consider flat pedals so you can fit inside warmer socks and boots, instead of cycling shoes
• Frequent bike cleaning, particularly the drivetrain and rim brake tracks – so make sure you keep time for this

And finally… Be aware of your surroundings and do not trust fallen leaves, your tires will slip out!

Stay safe out there!

What does a cyclist ride in the winter? An icicle!

The post Winter riding top tips appeared first on Our Community Bikes.

Local community bicycle shops and cooperatives all over the world are proving indispensable for combatting costs while breaking down other barriers to accessibility.

“Our goal is to keep people pedaling, regardless of income, providing for and empowering underserved communities,” Sarah Thomas, Executive Director of OCB, told Cycling Weekly in a new article which explores how community bike shops around the world are keeping local neighborhoods on the saddle.

The article hears from OCB and many of our peers in the USA and UK, with tips on how the industry and public sector can support us.

Read the full article HERE.

The post OCB in the news appeared first on Our Community Bikes.