November Newsletter
Friends of the Providence Pedaling Movement:
Our sincerest thanks for reading our newsletter! Recycle-A-Bike has served over 579 individuals, with 280 recorded visits to Open Shop, and 46 Build-A-Bike youth and adult graduates…that’s 1,380 hours of mechanics education, and together we have recycled hundreds of bicycles that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.
You may have heard the good news being whispered around town…and yes, its true, Recycle-A-Bike is A REAL NON-PROFIT now and as year ’11 winds down we are asking for everyone to pitch in to help us keep our doors open and our wheels turning. Your dollar donations are a tax write off, give a little. Has anyone else seen that bike path on Broadway? It leads folks across town to our doorstep in Olneyville Square…
Open Shop
Open Shop takes place weekly on Tuesdays 5pm-8pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm. Mechanics are here to help you help yourself fix your bike for the winter! Our shop is about to be heated thanks to the landlords. So come on over and look at our selection of refurbished bikes. Get a beater bike to ride in the snow, saving your slicker set of wheels for the warmer months. OR donate your retired bike at this time, clear your basement of those sad bikes, we will give them a new life. We need volunteers. Email jenna@recycleabike.org for a volunteer or work-trade application.
Board Meeting
Board Meeting this Thursday, 11/3 at 7:30pm. Interested in being a guest at one of Recycle-A-Bike board meetings? Email jenna@recyelabike.org. We meet the first Thursday of every month. This month our core team meets here at the shop to talk about key topics: shop build, the volunteer plan, winter programs, community partnerships, and our first fundraising appeal! Exciting developments to come.
Kids Bike Sale
We will be having a Kids Bike Sale on the last Saturday of November (11/26). 9am-2pm. $15-$30 each bike plus a free helmet. Be a conscious consumer and a caring parent this holiday season. Support our community bike programs with your purchase of a cute refurbished kid’s bike and get the next generation riding early and raise their rate of success, but don’t take my word for it, read this alarming article on childhood obesity.
Winter Build-A-Bike
The 1st class of the 3rd season begins and it is full! The next Build-A-Bike will be in the spring, stay tuned for more info on how to sign up.
Wed. 11/2 6-8pm – 1st Wrenching Wednesday Class
Thurs. 11/3 6-7:30pm – Open Shop
Wed. 11/9 6-8pm – 2nd W.W. Class
Thurs. 11/10 6-8pm – Open Shop
Wed. 11/16 6-8pm – 3rd W.W. Class
Thurs. 11/17 6-8pm – Open Shop
Wed. 11/23 6-8pm – 4th W.W. Class
Thurs. 11/24 THANKSGIVING. No Open Shop. (eat)
Wed. 11/30 6-8pm – 5th W.W. Class
Thurs. 12/1 6-8pm – Open Shop
Wed. 12/7 6-8pm – 6th W.W. Class
Thurs. 12/8 6-8pm – Open Shop
Thurs. 12/15 6-8pm – Open Shop
Built-A-Bike
A big shout out to the 10 students graduated this fall mechanically proficient and the 2 teachers who worked their b***s off sharing mad skills.
Holiday Pause
The shop will be closed December 18 through January 6th for the holidays.
Light up the Night
Yesterday, 11/1, a dozen or so volunteers handed out hundreds of free lights to bicyclists at street corners across the city. Flashing LED’s are essential for making you more visible to other road users when riding around the city. Even though streetlights make a bike headlight seem unnecessary to light your way, it can be difficult for drivers (even the undistracted ones) to see you until they are right on top of you, yikes! Organized by RI Bike in partnership with Recycle-A-Bike, Planet Bike, and Legend.
Bike Valet
As the outdoor farmer’s markets are moving indoors for the winter, we are reworking our valet schedule and location. Details to come. Email valet@recycleabike.org with questions.
Shop Renovations
Our new shop is well on its way to being finished. A big shout out to the volunteers who constructed the shop washroom, the ladies who painted the walls our signature teal and blue color pallet, the brains behind the rolling tool kits and shelves, and those who brought feng shui to the shop.
Happy Wheeling from the nice folks at RAB!