Workshops
Do you have an exciting skill to share with us? Want to chat about creating safe community spaces? Want to make sure we fit a good bike ride into the weekend? Propose a workshop! Don’t worry if you’re not an expert, we want to hear about everyone’s experience within the many configurations of community shops we’re coming from.
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A brief history of Toronto community bike spaces
24 people are interested in this workshopThere are about 9-10 community bike projects in Toronto. Some are run by volunteers, one is a charity, two are on university campuses and others are funded by the city of Toronto, or a combination of entities. What are the pros and cons of each structure and how can we work together towards our common goal of getting more people on bikes?
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ACEs & Working with Traumatized Youth at Our Shops
3 people are interested in this workshopIn this group discussion we will share the ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) model for thinking about psychological trauma, some of our approaches to working with a population of youth with high rates of trauma at Troy Bike Rescue, and what we have been learning through our relationship with Leaders Leading Troy's Youth/SNUG, a violence prevention/awareness building organization down the street from TBR. We don't see ourselves as experts, but rather intend to use our experiences as a starting point to facilitate a lateral community discussion in which we can all share thoughts, feelings, questions, and strategies with one another on working with kids with trauma through bikes.
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BIKEPOC & The Importance of Taking Up Space
13 people are interested in this workshopBIKEPOC is a new social cycling group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour) who identify as Women, Trans, Femme, Non-Binary. We are a Toronto sister chapter of Friends on Bikes. Our mission is to create a safer space, create more exposure, and build a community for folks like us. We strive to build and foster an inclusive and accessible environment for cyclists who constantly feel excluded from Toronto's bicycle community. There is currently a massive lack of representation for F/T/W/N-B of color in cycling media, bicycle shops, advocacy and organizations. We believe that we can break down the typical white male cyclist stereotype if we combine and amplify our voices together.
We'll be discussing the importance and need for creating safer spaces like BIKEPOC, "taking up space", allyship, and more.
There will be a short presentation followed by an open discussion.
@bikepoc
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BikePolo 1-0-FUN! (Intro to Bike Polo)
8 people are interested in this workshopHey Ya'll!
Ever heard of BIKE POLO? Yes? No? That's great! Come on down to Bike Bike's x BPTO's workshop "Bike 1-0-FUN!" to learn the basic about the sport and all it has to offer.
On Sunday we will be hosting an intro lesson, a few beginner game, and followed by our usual Sunday Funday pick up session which is open to all. Loaner gear available to folk coming on Sunday, just inform us on Saturday!
*Lesson and games will take place in the rink at Dufferin Grove Park @ Dufferin and Bloor Sts.*
Presented by Bike Polo Toronto.
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Building Bike Culture Beyond Downtown. Lessons learned from Scarborough Cycles.
11 people are interested in this workshopWith millions of short trips made each day in the communities outside of Toronto’s core, there’s great potential for cycling – but how can we tap into it?
This talk will summarize what has been learned through the Scarborough Cycles initiative, a four-year community bike hub project that has successfully led over 1,200 people on rides, repaired over 2,200 bicycles, collaborated with over 50 community groups/organizations, and trained over 200 people in cycling skills – in a part of Toronto where there are few bike lanes and only one bike shop.
Earlier this year we published, Building Bike Culture Beyond Downtown: A Guide to Suburban Community Bike Hubs. The guide lays out a targeted approach centered on community bike hubs to overcome local barriers and foster unlikely partnerships.
This will be a 15-minute presentation followed up with 15 minutes of Q&A.
Speaker Bio: Marvin Macaraig (Ph.D.) is a Health Promoter and the Scarborough Cycles Coordinator at Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, a community health centre with three locations in Toronto. He works to increase suburban cycling by building institutional capacity and addressing barriers. Marvin has extensive experience conceptualizing, completing, and evaluating community projects, and appreciates working on-the-ground at the neighbourhood scale.
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Creating an inclusive society one "step" at a time!
4 people are interested in this workshopIn this workshop you'll learn about Toronto's StopGap Foundation which has launched accessibility awareness raising projects across Canada and most recently in NYC. The volunteer-run campaigns open up previously inaccessible spaces and build awareness about the importance of a barrier-free and inclusive society. We don’t need to look far for examples of barriers to access – they are often right at your doorstep.
A graduate from University of Waterloo's Civil Engineering program, Luke Anderson sustained a spinal cord injury in 2002 while mountain biking in British Columbia. While working as an engineer in Toronto, his frustration with the built environment came to a boil after encountering one too many inaccessible storefronts.
StopGap is building brightly coloured single-step ramps to not only increase accessibility, but also to start a conversation about the importance of an inclusive society. The project continues to successfully remove barriers and raise awareness in countless communities from coast to coast here in Canada and south of the border.
Luke's workshop will cover the different ways that "steps" have shown up in his life. The steps he took getting through a challenging time, his frustration encountering steps in the built environment, and the steps involved in creating social change - StopGap style.
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Cycling Equity: Decolonial, Feminist & Anti-Racist Re-imaginings
24 people are interested in this workshopCycling & the bicycle can be transformative tools, it can challenge certain power structures as well as aid in or be complicit with the maintaining others:
Cycling has always been freeing to women –- but women of which race and class backgrounds?
An increase in cycling makes communities more accessible –- but how about the communities that gentrification that can be bolstered by cycling infrastructure displaces?
Working to adopt decolonial feminist and anti-racist perspectives and knowledge entails ongoing learning, unlearning, and questioning. This workshop hopes to do that as much as possible.
This workshop will begin with me talking and sharing my thoughts and perspectives and then wanting to hear from you all*, from your thoughts and lived experiences.
*though marginalized voices will be prioritized
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Exploring the Non-profit Industrial Complex
7 people are interested in this workshopHey! You!
Do you think the world is messed up in a few ways!? Are you concerned with how politicians/the City spend your money? How the media represents issues that matter to you? Do you donate your time/money to non-profits which claim to work against these forces? Who are you accountable to?
If you like these questions, this 45 minute discussion for you!
Whether we're involved in advocacy, education programs, or repair spaces - we all interface with wealth and the State, in one way or another. Let's bring more awareness to the dynamics around our own experiences and projects, and think of ways to inoculate ourselves and our communities, as we work to change the world.
Optional background reading (I'll bring copies): https://ia802709.us.archive.org/1/items/WhatsTheNon-profitIndustrialComplexAndWhyShouldICare/whats_the_npic.pdf
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Hands-Off Teaching (or how to peel a banana)
28 people are interested in this workshopFirst presented at Bike!Bike! 2010 in Toronto, this workshop discusses a philosophy based around teaching rather than DOING, and the challenges of instructing in a Do-It-Yourself workspace.
For those of us who struggle with not doing the work for our patrons - learn tips and tricks to keep the wrench in the hands of those learning how to fix their bikes!
We will share challenges, techniques, hot tips, and a hands-on/off exercise involving fruit ;)
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How safe can we get? A moderated discussion about inclusion and safety in a public space.
10 people are interested in this workshopWe all have encounters with this subject. How do you insure the safety and security of all people who utilize our programs and services? Background checks? Vetting? What do you do with that info when you receive it?
Here at the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op in Cleveland, OH., we recently embarked on this journey of finding our own answers to these questions, and want to share our findings with you, and would love to here some of your thoughts on the subject as well.
This will be a one hour workshop.
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How to Write a How to: How do you do it?
9 people are interested in this workshopHere at the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op in Cleveland, OH., we have a rather large facility, and many volunteers who need guidance on how to complete tasks. I'd like to show you all how we get people started on tasks with our how to guides, and open it up to the rest of you to ask questions, or share how you do it! This will be a 1 hour workshop, come prepared with something to share!
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Know Your Rights!
22 people are interested in this workshopSummary: An informative and invigorating know your rights workshop by cycling advocate and lawyer, Dave Shellnutt. Dave will discuss the rules of the road and what to do if you’re involved in an accident, stopped by police or harassed while cycling. He will highlight the ways that the rules and law may or may not apply equally across race, class, or gender lines. Using examples from his life and legal practice he will highlight how interacting with a police investigation or insurance company may pose unique challenges to some while for others it could be all fairly straightforward.
The goal of the workshop will be to advise people of their rights but also identify problem areas where those rights may be hard to put to use practically and what steps you can take to push back when it’s smart and safe to do so.
Goal: Educate people about their rights as a cyclist.
Timing: 15-30 including time for questions and discussion.
Equipment: None.
Speaker Bio: Dave grew up cycling on the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. From there he went to university and then to West Africa, where he found a calling in human rights activism. Now, Dave is a year round bike commuter and lawyer in Toronto representing injured cyclists, ensuring they get the support they need. Dave also represents other injured people, those who have faced discrimination and human rights abuses, as well as survivors of sexual violence. Dave does his best to be an ally, understanding and trying to navigate the impact of his privilege not only as a lawyer but as a white male.
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Non-Hierarchical organization of Insects and Bike Co-ops
13 people are interested in this workshopThe social insects such as ants, honeybees, and wasps exhibit astonishing organized behavior - gathering resources, making food and building sophisticated hives. This is all accomplished without "leaders" - crucial decisions are made in a non-hierarchical way that science still struggles to understand. Learn some amazing facts about these insects and how this is relevant to our clumsy human attempts at organizing in our bike co-op spaces!
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Restorative Practices: Community circles for conflict resolution
7 people are interested in this workshopRestorative justice practices for co-op conflict resolution, community building, and general meetings.
We will go over restorative practice basics and how it can be applied to community-building and/or help conflict resolution in our co-ops. We will hold a circle about "trust" or "leadership" to practice what we just learned. Everyone should be ready to participate in a seated circle. Time allowing, partners will be able to have a restorative conversation with another to figure out how to repair harm for all parties. Discussion and questions to follow.
Translation can be by participants bringing a friend to translate in the circle for them, or we can pair people with the same language together to help each other throughout the circle. I can translate for Spanish speakers if needed.
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The Everyone Rides Initiative: Maintaining Equity in Bike Share Subsidization
3 people are interested in this workshopIn this workshop, I will outline how the Hamilton Everyone Rides Initiative subsidized Bike Share pass program (the first of its kind in Canada) began and is maintained. I will also focus on which challenges we are currently facing in our desire to sustain ourselves as a non profit, and our continuing quest for equity throughout all facets of our program; including partnerships with Indigenous communities, folks affected by precarious housing situations and gentrification, and those subjected to the Canadian carceral system. This presentation will be brief, with a hopeful discussion afterwards from participants who may suggest additional ways of maintaining and expanding a Bike Share equity program using anti-oppressive principles and practices.
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The politics of language and road safety
11 people are interested in this workshopTraditionally, the word "accident" is used to describe incidents which result in the death or serious injury of vulnerable road users. Ghost BIkes Montreal has for many years worked to challenge this discourse as it creates a false impression that such incidents are inevitable. The use of the word "accident" erases the many political and social choices which led to the "accident". This workshop will discuss some of the strategies that we have used to challenge this discourse. It will also aim to foster a discussion about other ways in which we can all work together to change the discourse surrounding road safety.
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Thinkings and doings for a wider inclusiveness within community bike shops: what strategies to adopt?
10 people are interested in this workshop(French version below)
Group discussion based on experience-sharing related to the strategies employed to make community bike shops more inclusive and diversified.
BQAM-E is the community bike shop of Université du Québec à Montréal (Québec, Canada). For a few years now, many testimonies from users and volunteers brought to light concerns about inclusiveness and diversity issues within the bike shop and collective. With the creation of the BQAME branch (in chosen gender-mix) – trans and cis women, trans men, non-binary and intersex persons – BQAM-E keep on thinking about the strategies to adopt to ensure a socially inclusive experience within the shop and the organization. Thus, BQAM-E wishes to learn more about other collectives’ experiences related to their inclusive practices (oriented whether against gender discrimination or against any kind of arbitrary discrimination, like race, class, capacity, etc.). Come chat with us about the good and less good points that your shop did or simply share your thoughts on the matter!
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Penser et agir pour une plus grande inclusivité dans les ateliers de vélos communautaires: quelles stratégies adopter?
Atelier-discussion sous forme de partage d’expériences concernant les stratégies utilisées pour rendre les ateliers communautaires de vélo plus inclusifs et diversifiés.
BQAM-E est l’atelier de vélo communautaire de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (Québec, Canada). Depuis quelques années, plusieurs témoignages de personnes usagères et bénévoles ont fait émerger des questionnements concernant les enjeux d’inclusivité et de diversité au sein de l’atelier et du collectif. Avec la création de sa branche BQAME (en mixité choisie) - femmes trans et cis, hommes trans, personnes non binaires et personnes intersexes- BQAM-E continue de réfléchir sur les stratégies à adopter pour assurer une expérience d’inclusion sociale au sein de l’atelier et de l’organisation. Ainsi, BQAM-E souhaite en apprendre davantage sur les expériences des autres collectifs quant à leurs pratiques inclusives (qu’elles visent à contrer la discrimination selon le genre ou selon tout critère arbitraire, race, classe, capacité, etc.). Viens échanger avec nous sur les bons et les moins bons coups de ton atelier ou simplement partager tes réflexions sur le sujet!
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Time tracking solutions
7 people are interested in this workshopDo you use pen and paper? a spreadsheet? Custom tools built by Your IT volunteer? Here at the ohio city bicycle co-op in Cleveland, OH., with the help of a very generous .net developer, we are developing a new time tracking/credit awarding tool for volunteer and task management, specifically designed for the needs of Cooperatives, and we'd like to show it to you, get feedback, and hear about what your solutions to these problems are.
If you are interested, you can signup after the workshop to help us test this tool once it is ready.
This will be a one hour workshop.
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U of T Human Powered Vehicle Design Team
7 people are interested in this workshopHPVDT is an engineering student design team that builds human powered vehicles. For the past several years, their focus has been on building vehicles for two annual events. The first is a collegiate event that is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, where the emphasis is on manouverability and practicality. At the latest ASME competition at Michigan State University, U of T placed second overall, and won all of the racing events. The second event is the World Human Powered Speed Challenge, where every September teams gather from around the world in a straight strip of road in the Nevada desert to set the human powered land speed record. We will bring our recent bikes from both ASME and WHPSC, and will discuss some of the very different design choices that were made in developing these vehicles.
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Working with School Systems
12 people are interested in this workshopThe staff of Recycle-A-Bike from Providence, RI will facilitate a round-table discussion on working with school systems--what has worked for our various organizations, and what hasn't. We will talk about RAB's partnership with a local vocational high school, through which we run an internship program during the school day, 4 days a week, for the whole school year.
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Working within the university system
5 people are interested in this workshopI manage Bikechain, the campus bike shop at U of T. Working on campus comes with many benefits (built in outreach opportunities, student funding, access to space) as well as challenges (high turnover, funding uncertainty, institutional memory). This will be an open, facilitated discussion to talk about the highs and lows of working on campus and strategies to keep our shops strong and sustainable.