Meeting Recap

Hey Everyone. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Community Interest Meeting. It was nice to see such support and community. Thanks again to Nomad Supply Shop for hosting us. If you have not been there, go check it out.

For those of you who couldn't make it, I will attempt to recap what went on.

First, Anna explained why Birmingham needs a Community bike shop. Our Obesity rate is off the charts. As is our pollution particle rate. Poverty runs rampant and we are all aware of the crime rate. All of these things will be impacted by a Community Bike shop opening in Birmingham City. Bikes and Bike shops build community, make our neighborhoods more liveable and promote physical activity. Riding a bike is also a great, reliable form of transportation in a city where Public transportation is lacking. In order to get more people on bikes, we must educate and empower them, as well a work to make the city more cycling friendly. At Bici, we hope to touch on all of these aspects.

Alan then spoke of the history of Bici, his brainchild. He told of how he wanted a place in the city limits to work on his bike and where others could do the same. A place for the cyclists of Birmingham to form a community and share knowledge, tools and a love of riding.

I (Elisa) then talked about the specifics of the Bici shop. We hope to be funded by memberships, donations and grants. Memberships will cost approx $60-$80 (we are still working on a price that will be accessible, yet allow us to function in a sustainable manner). We will be seeking donations from individuals as well as corporations. Bici will also be completely volunteer run with both members and non-members hopefully volunteering to help in the shop. Many folks filled out our volunteer interest form, yet we still need more. Bici hopes to be open 2-3 nights per week and Saturday afternoon.

We do have a verbal agreement on a physical location in the Highland Park neighborhood (next to the Unity Church). We hope to be moved in and open mid-April. This spot is ideal and we are very lucky to have found it.

How can you help?
Fill out the Volunteer Interest form. We are in need of manpower, on everything from actually working in the shop to fundraising, paperwork and advocacy help.
Donate! We need money, parts, bikes and tools. Got any of that? Spare workbench in your garage...send it our way!
Become a member: As a cooperative, we are member owned and supported. Members will get special perks, but the main reason to become a member is to support something awesome and help make Birmingham a cycling city. More info to come (soon) on memberships and how to become a member.
Spread the word: the more the merrier. We need members and supporters. This is a community shop, so we need the community!
Ride your bike! The more cyclists on the road, the more our presence is known. We want and need for the government, drivers...everyone to know that we are here and we are doing good.

Again, thanks to everyone who came out, or emailed to express interest. This is going to take all of us working together and will be a great thing for Birmingham!

Any questions or comments, email the following person:

Shop manager: alan@bicicoop.org
Fundraising/Grant seeking: anna@bicicoop.org
Finances, donations, volunteer interest form, publicity: elisa@bicicoop.org

bike love!