Bike Co-op
Co-operative Efforts: News from the New Hope Bike Co-op
www.newhopebikecoop.ca
Except for a few of those die-hard bike enthusiasts, the month of February is not usually when people are thinking about bikes. This isn’t the case at the New Hope Bike Co-op. Despite the icy windows and less than ideal biking conditions, staff and volunteers have been hard at work completing repairs and preparing donated bikes for their new owners when spring comes. Now we have more than 50 bikes ready for new owners. Don’t let the winter weather scare you – now is a great time to pick up that new summer cruiser!
In the month of November, bike co-op staff and volunteers packed up tools and traveled to the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School to host a free after school bike repair program. Over 20 bicycles were repaired providing safe, efficient transportation for students. When spring rolls around, the New Hope Bike Co-op is hoping to “roll-out” its newest bike repair initiative: a travelling bike shop. Based on the idea of a bicycle powered ice cream truck, the Bike Co-op repair bike will travel to parks and community centres with tools offering repair advice and instruction free of charge. Watch for the mobile bike shop in a park near you!
The New Hope Bike Co-op is a social enterprise that functions as a non-profit. It seeks to be a positive outreach to the community in Crown Point and beyond and as such has been endorsed by the Crown Point Community Planning Team. The New Hope Bike Co-op helps people fix their own bikes, provides low cost parts and refurbished bicycles, free use of tools, promotion of environmentally friendly transportation, and training and employment opportunities for youth. The Co-op is funded through the support of its members and organizations such as Mountain Equipment Co-op, Service Canada, and the Hamilton Community Foundation and is a community project of New Hope Church.
New Hope Bike Co-op FAQs
When I buy bike parts where does the money go? Parts and repair costs at the co-op are discounted compared to other local bike shops because we are a non-profit. Money spent for repairs and parts covers the cost of parts and helps to offset the costs of tools, wages, utilities, and lease payments. Money spent at the co-op goes back into the community and the bike co-op budget.
How come there isn’t always a free way to fix my bike? The Co-op orders parts from a cycling distributor. These parts have a set cost. If price is an issue, staff is more than willing to negotiate volunteer time for a reduced cost.
Why are some of your bikes so expensive? The New Hope Bike Co-op provides bikes at all price points to serve our diverse membership. Bikes start at $10.00 for kids bikes and $35.00 for adults bikes. Beyond this price point, co-op staff and volunteers build and refurbish bikes to meet individual needs. If you have a specific specification such as size, style, accessory (eg. basket or trailer) or price point, talk to the staff and they can make something work for you.
How do I find out more? If you are interested in becoming a member of the bike co-op or just have questions about how the social enterprise works, drop by our shop at 1418 Main St. E, just east of Kenilworth Ave. Staff will be glad to talk to you about how the co-op works and how you can be involved.
