Bike!Bike! Northeast 2019

You’re invited to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to participate in Bike!Bike! NorthEast 2019: a regional gathering organized by and for community bicycle projects. The conference is a space for participants from DIY shops and non-profit bike organizations to converge in a different city each year to learn from each other. Bike!Bike! Northeast is a collaborative project of a number of Community Bicycle Projects in Toronto.

What can you expect when attending Bike!Bike! Northeast? You’ll learn about community bike projects from Canada and the northeastern US, and how they run. The conference will include workshops, bike rides, social events, meals and more all weekend long! It is going to be a lot of FUN!

What’s included in registration for B!B!NE?

A bike to ride over the weekend in Toronto (or you can bring your own!)
Free shared accommodation (apartment, tent space, couch space, etc…)
Two vegan meals a day (please share dietary restrictions when you register)
Free access to parties, rides, and events for the entire weekend.

Bike!Bike! NorthEast registration is on a sliding scale of $0-$100 depending on what you're able to pay

If you have any questions, get in touch at bbne2019@gmail.com.

Housing Accommodations

Bike!Bike!NorthEast will provide solidarity housing to every participant from outside Toronto who registers by May 10th.

When you register and request housing, indicate in the “notes” section what accessibility needs you have, what your preferences are, and the dates you require housing. By doing so we can best match you to a host! About a week before the conference you’ll get an email introducing you and your host to each other. Upon receiving that email we suggest you get in touch with your host directly to make arrangements for when you’ll arrive and how you’ll get settled.

A member of the housing committee will be at registration to help answer any questions you may have, or you can reach us via email at bbnehousing@gmail.com.

Workshops and Discussions

All Bike!Bike! NorthEast attendees are welcome to organize and lead a workshop. You don’t have to be an expert but it helps to be prepared to lead/facilitate a discussion. Check out this document, which outlines how workshops work and a variety of styles you might use.

To accommodate a diversity of workshop styles and topics, we’ll be dividing up workshops in 15 minute blocks - please request as much or as little time as you think your topic requires. Want to do a 7-10 minute PEDAL (Partnerships, Engagement, Design, and Access Lecture) with time for questions? Request 1 workshop block. If instead, you’d like to facilitate a 3-hour ride, request 12 blocks. Small blocks will be bundled together, and individual presentation-style topics may be scheduled during breakfast. Workshops will run from 10am-5/5:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

A list of past workshop topics: 2015 2013 2012 2011

Some workshops we would like to see are:

Creating safer spaces - beyond policy
Enacting Solidarity not Charity
Self-care & avoiding burnout
Youth bike programs - retention rates & keeping it fun
Indigenizing bike education programs
Working with the school system
Intersectional politics and power awareness in the bike shop
The role of the bike community in gentrification
Against the non-profit industrial complex
Privilege and volunteerism
Overcoming white supremacy in community bike shops
Non-hierarchical organizing structures

Please have your workshop proposals along with a short description (20-100 words) submitted by May 1st, 2019. Make sure to include the workshop style (ex. Presentation, group discussion, ride, etc.), and how many 15 minute blocks you think you’ll need.

Languages

Most workshops will be in English with whisper translation to French on request and pending a availability of translators. Some workshops may be conducted primarily in French, or be fully multi-lingual with sequential translation.

View Workshops

Schedule

Friday May 17

2pm-7pm Registration and loaner bike pick up @ Bike Chain
7pm-10pm Welcome Social in Kensington Market
Social ride to Ontario Place. Meetup in Bellevue Square Park at 7:30pm.

Saturday May 18 - U of T

9am-2pm Registration and Bike Pickup @ Bikechain
9:00am-10:00am - Breakfast @Multi-faith centre
9:30am-10:15am - Welcome to Toronto & Icebreaker
10:30am-12:30pm - Workshop Sessions (multiple locations)
12:30pm-2:00pm - Lunch @Multi-faith centre
2:15pm-5:15pm - Workshop Sessions (multiple locations)
Social event @ Cecil Community Centre. Doors open at 7pm

Sunday May 19 - Parkdale

9:00am-10:00am - Breakfast @ Bike Pirates
10:30am-12:30pm - Workshop Sessions (multiple locations)
12:30pm-2:00pm - Lunch @ Bike Pirates
1pm-5pm - Bike Polo @ Dufferin Grove Park (Bike Polo Toronto)
2:15pm-4:45pm - Workshop Sessions (multiple locations)
5:00pm-5:30pm - Closing meeting/thank yous etc.
5:30pm-7pm - Bike Drop Off @ Bikechain
Slow Roll bike tour of Toronto. Meetup at 7pm, Dufferin Grove Park.
Iftar and movie at John Innes Community Centre

Monday May 20 (Holiday)

Please note many businesses will be CLOSED today, including banks + liquor stores, and transit will be operating on a Holiday Schedule.

9:00-10:00am - Light Breakfast
9am-12pm Loaner bike Drop Off @ Bikechain
Day trail ride through the ravines, meetup at 10 am at Dufferin Grove Park
A suggested list of activities taking place in Toronto on the holiday Monday will be provided by the Fun Committee (stay tuned!)
Meet up for 3-day bike tour outside of Toronto (Darlington). Meetup at 10am at Charlie's Freewheels (242.5 Queen St. E)

Group Ride

The post-ride registration deadline has passed. If you are interested in joining this ride, please get in touch with alix@charliesfreewheels.ca asap.

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We will be leading an overnight group ride to Darlington Provincial Park, a campsite located on a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario. This trip will be an additional cost (approximately $20-30 to cover campsite and food), and will be 2-3 days long (2 nights).

We will be leaving Toronto the morning of Monday May 20 and returning to Toronto in the late afternoon on Wednesday May 22.

The full ride is about 70km, however, there is also an option to take your bike on the GO train to cover some distance (you could even opt to take the train to the end of the line, and ride 10km from the station to the campsite).

A little about Toronto

Ride assertively and prepare yourself for whatever you may encounter ahead (Toronto drivers can smell fear.) Toronto is a fast-paced city, be sure to scan everything in your field of vision and anticipate the kinds of things that may come up on a streetscape.

Essential Gear:

A helmet (it’s illegal not to wear one if you’re under 18) should you choose to don one.
lights - white light on the front and red light or reflector on the rear of your bike. It’s the law).
A bell (also required by law).
A quality lock.

Tips for Traversing TO

Riding Over Streetcars tracks. When you have to cross streetcar tracks ride as close to perpendicular as you can. Be cautious, particularly if you have thin tires, which could end up wedged in the streetcar tracks and could result in disaster. When turning over streetcar tracks, especially where there are multiple tracks, slow down, especially if it has or is raining and the tracks are wet.
Avoid the right hook. You may have right of way or expect that a driver will yield to you, but often they will not, so either pass on the left (if you can do so safely) or wait until they complete their turn.
You are legally entitled to one metre of road space...though not all drivers will allot you that metre. Avoid hugging the the curb often drivers will try and wiz past you.
Open Streetcar Doors. When a streetcar proceeding in the same direction as you stops and opens its doors you must stop - that is the law. Following it will keep you and the streetcar riders safe.
Pedestrians in Toronto, particularly downtown, jaywalk and they often will just try to avoid cars, not thinking of the danger they present to cyclists, so keep an eye out.
Infrastructure. There is a variety of cycling infrastructure in place in Toronto, from paths to lanes to separated and contraflow lanes. Many road users do not respect this space or understand the correct way to interact with it, so be vigilant.
Unsafe Conditions. If you encounter conditions that make you uncomfortable or unsure, you have options - reroute yourself (take the side streets!), or you can take your bike on the city’s public transit - adult fare is $3.25 *Bikes are only permitted on the subway outside of rush hour*.
Locking. Bike theft is rampant in Toronto. Lock your bike securely with a U-Lock, to one of the city’s “ring-and-posts” or something very secure. Avoid leaving a bicycle locked outside overnight.

Breath and try to relax, but don’t let your guard down, enjoy riding.

Getting To Toronto

For information about getting to Toronto by bike, plane, train, or autmobile, as well as details about crossing the border, click here

What to Bring

Reusable Water Cup/Bottle, other reusable dishes and cutlery for meals
Writing implements: Pens, Pencils, Sharpies, notebook, etc.
Bike helmet is required for anyone under 18
Strong bike lock and lights (Bikechain loaner bikes will include a lock)
Towel
(Sleeping mat & bag, if camping)
Sweater
Cash may be necessary at some locations
Sun hat & sun screen
Swag to sell or trade!

Volunteering

All conference attendees are encouraged to contribute to the conference by volunteering. Volunteer roles will include pre-conference bike prep, bike checkout, translation, registration, food prep, cleanup after meals and events, room coordinators, post conference bike return and repair.

Volunteer Signup here!