Bike!Bike! 2014
You are invited to Columbus, Ohio to participate in Bike!Bike! 2014: an annual international conference of non-profit bike collectives, DIY repair shops, and other bike advocacy projects networking and workshopping ways to make our communities better and make transportation by bicycles easier, safer, and more fun!. Third Hand Bicycle Cooperative will host the event over four days, Thursday, August 28th through Sunday, August 31st.
What can you expect when attending the annual Bike!Bike! conference? Community bike projects from all over the continent (and some from beyond) convening to share how they’ve grown, gain new skills, and learn from each other’s experiences. Coming to Bike!Bike!, being in a space to learn and create new projects, while being surrounded by new people that share the same passion with you is a very powerful experience! If you haven’t been to Bike!Bike!, this is your year!
Location
This summer’s conference will be located in Columbus, the capital of Ohio where you can experience true midwestern heart. Come to Bike!Bike! this Labor Day weekend and meet people, workshop, skill share, ride bikes, make some noise, explore the city, and have fun.
Cost
Much of the funding for Bike!Bike! comes from participant registration in the form of a suggested donation of $25-$125. Third Hand will provide most meals during the conference, will help you find a place to stay, and will arrange to find you a loaner bike for the weekend. We ask that you please register as early as possible to help us anticipate food, housing, loaner bikes, and other needs.
Want to host a workshop at Bike!Bike!?
Workshops vary each year but tend to sit within the framework of structural organization, mechanics, social change, and anti oppression strategies on the scale of the bike shop, the neighborhood, the city and other related networks. You don’t need to be an expert on the topic of a workshop, but must be willing and prepared to facilitate a discussion among participants.
Information
We developed the bikebike.org website to register and be a hub of information regarding the conference.
Volunteer
Volunteer for aspects of Bike!Bike! like meals and event setup. Email us at bikebike2014columbus@gmail.com for information you can’t find on the website.
Post Bike!Bike!
Finally, we will be hosting a post Bike!Bike! tour to a nearby town. Join us Monday morning, September 1st (Labor Day, you have the day off, right?) as we ride the leisurely at 55 miles to Yellow Springs, OH. It should take about 6 hours with breaks and is mostly via bike trail. Bring your own tent and sleeping bag if possible. We’ll camp out on a friend’s land, spend Tuesday cruising the small hippie town, and go play in the woods. There is a beautiful state park nearby with waterfalls and hiking. Wednesday morning we will ride back to Columbus.
What is Columbus like Labor Day weekend?
Expect temperatures in the 80s during the day and in the low 60s at night. Of course with climate change, the weather is unpredictable, so please check for yourself before packing.
The bike co-op is only a mile or 2 from all the hustle and bustle of the downtown and surrounding area. There is limited parking at the shop, but you may park here to check in the parking lot east of the building. Ideally once you connect with your hosts in town, you can park there.
How do you get to Columbus, OH?
We have a Greyhound Bus station, a MegaBus station, and Port Columbus International Airport (CMH). The Third Hand Bicycle Co-op is close to several bus stops through the COTA bus, our local bus line. Please try to make arrangements to arrive at the Third Hand Bicycle Co-op on your own through the bus, taxi, etc, but if you cannot, we can try to arrange for a ride to pick you up.
Where can I stay - what is housing like?
We are working hard to secure housing for every conference attendee. We will let you know where you are staying once you get here. There may be a mass housing option at a local church. Additionally, we are asking anyone with space in Columbus, OH to consider opening up their homes.
If you or someone you know can host conference attendees, please click here http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1738061/Bike-Bike-Housing to learn more and sign up! Third Hand truly appreciates your help.
Will I be able to eat?
Third Hand will be preparing all vegan and mostly gluten free meals, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No one walks away hungry!
What is going on each day of the conference?
We’ll open up the shop on Thursday, 8/28 starting at noon - 8p for check-in, registration, and meet and greet. This is the time to pick up your loaner bike, connect with your host, eat, and wrench if needed. Thursday evening we will host a fun bike scavenger hunt.
Friday and Saturday, 8/29-30 will be filled with good meals, good workshops, bike rides, and programming & socializing in the evenings.
On Sunday, 8/31, we’ll have a few more workshops, meals, a large group get together and swap bike shop merch and silk screens, etc. Sunday night we’ll have an awesome surprise for people that are still hanging out.
Monday morning, 9/1, we depart for the Post-Bike!Bike! Tour, a short and flat 55 mile ride to a friend’s land. We’ll play in the woods and hang out Tuesday, and return to Columbus by Wednesday, 9/3, evening.
Loaner bikes
We will have one ready for you! Be prepared to tweak it to your needs. Bring your own lock!! (and helmet, etc)
More Questions?
Email is strongly preferred! Please only email the Bike!Bike! address: bikebike2014columbus@gmail.com. Include your phone number if it is urgent.