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Bike Collective Network

The mission of the Bike Collective Network is to strengthen and encourage communication and resource sharing between existing and future community bike shops. Collectively we can improve a bigger wheel as opposed to re-inventing smaller ones.

Join over 900 like minded individuals from over 500 similar organizations across the world on The Think Tank email list.

This wiki is here to help bike collectives collaborate and share ideas. Whether you are an advocate, mechanic, or just someone who likes to ride -- anyone can freely edit the content of this site. A history of all changes ensures that nothing is lost.

See FAQ about contributing to this wiki.

Lists of Community Bike Projects

Orgs Now Hiring

Starter Kits

Just starting out? Looking to expand? Before you do anything crazy, start planning! Set clear goals and the path to meeting those goals will also become clear. Follow hundreds of similar organizations by using and contributing to these free online resources...

Starting a Community Bike Shop
Organizational Models
Legal Filings
Insurance
Accounting
Fundraising
Publicity
- FREE PICKLE Day
Strategic Planning
Over 300 examples of Community Bicycle Organizations and International Bicycle Aid Organizations.
Teaching Resources
Common Activities:
- Community Bike Shop: Providing bicycle tools, parts, used bikes and mechanical expertise to the public.
- Earn-a-Bike: Programs that allow people to literally earn a bike through learning or volunteer work, sometimes focused exclusively on youth.
  - Examples:
  - Teaching Methods
- Valet Bike Parking: Providing corralled areas where volunteers watch your bike while you enjoy an event.
- Safety Education: The League of American Bicyclists has a nicely pre-packaged program called Smart Cycling which includes a Bike Rodeo Kit.
- Mechanical Training: Park Tool has a nicely pre-packaged program called the Park Tool School. See below for suggested Maintenance_Classes.
- Helmet Distribution
- Bicycle Art: Following Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle old bikes and parts are turned into works of art.
- Bicycle Advocacy: Many Community Bicycle Organizations concentrate on the grass roots elements of educating and getting people on bikes. However some organizations, or at least some of their members, are also involved in traditional bicycle advocacy.
- Women and Trans Night: Encouraging more women and trans people to get involved and learn in a comfortable space.
- Commercial Bike Racks: Providing outdoor bike racks and installation local businesses and cities.
Organization Building Resources:
- Alliance for Walking and Biking contributed to this wiki
How to find, start, or improve a bike program by bikes not bombs
Suggestions for starting your own community bike shop (in Spanish): http://lafabricicleta.blogspot.com/p/un-taller-en-tu-barrio.html

Community Bike Shop

Providing bicycle tools, parts, used bikes and mechanical expertise to the public.

Bike and Part Donations: acquisition, sorting and re-sale. Shop Manual.
Shop Location
Staffing: paid, volunteer or both.
Shop Organization
Shop Recycling
Volunteer Handbook
Layout
Tool lists
Rules
Hours
Capital Improvement Plans
Proper Bike Fit
Maintenance Classes
Software

Conferences/Gatherings

Bike!Bike! is an annual international conference of nonprofit bike collectives and other bicycle projects.
Youth Bike Summit is organized by Recycle-a-Bicycle in New York City every year.

Past Conferences

List of all known previous events
- Bike!Bike! is an in-person event that has happened most years since 2004. It has been held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
  - Previous Bike!Bike! Events with Details (2013 events and later)
- Bike!Bike! Everywhere! is a virtual, international Bike!Bike! online.