Fwd: Bozeman Bike Kitchen Spring 2008

[Gallatin Grassroots Forum]

From: in...@bozemanbikekitchen.org
Subject: Bozeman Bike Kitchen Spring 2008

 

Spring greetings from the Bozeman Bike Kitchen!

Please read below for upcoming events, information about work nights, and our volunteer needs. This winter our board worked on grant applications, development of an earn-a-bike program for youth, and formalization of our existing program. Changes for this summer will include more structured work nights, and a volunteer-hour requirement in exchange for parts or bikes. We are also developing a voucher system to use in conjunction with local social services in order to get the right bikes to the people who need them most. With increasing fuel costs, we anticipate increasing demand for reliable bicycles.

Bicycle Recycling Drive 2008

Recycle your unwanted used bicycles to benefit the greater Bozeman community

Who: Bozeman Bike Kitchen
When: Saturday May 10th 2008 9am – 12pm
Where: 1st Interstate Bank Downtown Parking Lot (Main St. and Grand Ave)
What are we asking for:
Bike Shop Quality Bikes (regardless of state of disrepair)
Used but not abused components and accessories
NEW tubes, cables, housing, chains
Tools, lubes, greases and cleaners
$5 suggested donation with each bike to cover processing costs

What are we doing? The Bozeman Bike Kitchen collects used and unwanted bicycles, restores them, then redistributes them through out the community to those who are in need of affordable, reliable, sustainable transportation. In addition, our volunteers work to educate the community in the art of bicycle mechanics, the ethics of riding bicycles in urban environments, safe riding practices, and social and environmental responsibility.

In 2007 our Recycling Drive rescued approximately 300 bicycles from living idle lives in garages or taking up space in the landfill. In return we refurbished about 30 bicycles and gave them away to people who could not otherwise afford a bicycle. Additionally, we saved over 1,500 pounds of scrap metal from ending up in the landfill. This year, with continued help from the community, we hope to expand on last years overwhelming success.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MAY 10TH: help us collect, sort, and transport the bicycles we collect.

MAY12-16TH BIKE-TO-WORK WEEK
Go to the City of Bozeman website for information:

http://www.bozeman.net/residents/speical_events.aspx#bike

 

TUESDAY WORK NIGHTS
BEGINNING JUNE 3RD
6-8PM
Work nights are the core of our organization. This is where any person, regardless of age, income, or ability level can learn about bike mechanics, fix up a bike for donation, or after sufficient volunteer hours, fix up a bike for him or herself. We are working on funding to provide helmets, lights, and locks to distribute with bikes.

WORK NIGHTS ARE HELD OUTSIDE, BEHIND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY AT 1214 W DURSTON 6-8PM.
Our relationship with the school district is dependent on us keeping an organized work space, so please do not leave unwanted bikes or parts lying around.

VOLUNTEER MECHNICS NEEDED: HELP US RUN WORK NIGHTS, SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BIKES AND WRENCHING.
Please respond to this email if you are a confident basic bike mechanic and would like to commit to helping us over the summer. We will work out a schedule and benefits.

We have had many excellent ideas and projects proposed from various parts of the community,from the Children's Museum, to a freecycle program, to after school programs. We need volunteer-power; if you have an idea that you are interested in making happen, please contact us.


Thank you for your support of the BBK!
Liz and the Board of the Bozeman Bike Kitchen


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