Pedal

(photo credit: justine little)

Did you know that PEDAL has been hosting an event for women and trans people for over 5 years?  It’s the best!  Taking place twice every month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30, Women On Wheels opens up the shop space for people to learn everything they’ve wanted to know about bicycle repair and maintenance.  Whether it’s how to replace your brake pads or your very first wheel build, we’ve got the knowledge, tools and parts that you need to get the job done.  And we do our best to create a comfortable and empowering learning environment so that you’ll want to come back and tell all of your friends about the great new skills you never knew you had.

Do come down to the PEDAL Depot and check it out some time.  Bring your bike, your curiosity and maybe some snacks.  No appointments necessary.

This time for PEDAL’s participation in a program to encourage young immigrants from Grades 6 to 12 to consider cycling as a transportation choice. We’re proud to be a part of this initiative and think that bike skills training (and a free bike!) is a great way to welcome people to Canada. You can learn more about the program, including how to get involved by reading this article in the Westender community newspaper.

…in the news!
Check this article in the Courier.

In response to requests from some of the schools that we work with via our After School Bikes program, we are expanding Our Community Bike Club and launching Summer Bike Camps which will run in Vancouver this August, 2011. Four camps will happen at two east-side schools.

With many subsidies available this camp is open to all kids (ages eight to thirteen). No bike? No problem! We’ve got loaner bikes available for kids who need one. More info right here.

In early 2011, PEDAL was chosen to be one of three organizations participating in this year’s Social Enterprise Dragons event, along with JustRenos and Street Youth Job Action. The event was delivered collaboratively through 4 host organizations; Vancity Community Foundation, JDQ Systems inc., BC Social Venture Partners and Enterprising Non-Profits. In addition, there were many others who participate in the event including Renewal Partners, sponsor organizations (Adnet Inc. and Vancity Credit Union), task committee members from the social enterprise community and an event audience of 200 people.

And the great news is that we won!  This summer, PEDAL’s After School Bike programs are using the prize money to expand to summer bike clubs! Get your kids riding their bikes safely and confidently while having fun exploring their neighbourhoods and learning about their ride. Open to kids aged 8-13, we will be running a number of one week bike camps this summer out of east side schools.  No bike? No problem! Loaners are available to kids who need them, cost is a sliding scale.  All our staff are Can Bike 2 certifies cycling instructors, and our programs are designed to facilitate fitness, safety, and independence in a fun environment.  Thanks to Dragon’s Den funding for helping us expand our kids programs.