Bikes Not Bombs Update

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 10

2013 Annual Report Release – Big vision, Concrete Strategies, Real Impact

It is with great pride and excitement that we present our 2013 Annual Report! 2013 was a busy year for Bikes Not Bombs; we collected more bikes than ever before, launched a new weekly youth drop-in time, started two off-site bicycle programs that employ alumni youth, developed a new partnership with Bici-Tec in Guatemala, and had a record-breaking successful Bike-A-Thon! We encourage you to read our first-ever digital annual report which spotlights some of the stories and people that made 2013 especially memorable. We owe a big thank you to every volunteer, donor, supporter, participant, and member of BNB that made this year possible!

As you look through the Annual Report, we’re sure you’ll be impressed by our accomplishments and progress. But moving forward we are also keenly aware of how much is left to be done. We hope you’ll to consider gift to support Bikes Not Bombs as we move towards our goals for 2014 and beyond.

Enrolling for Spring Girls In Action

Bikes Not Bombs is currently accepting applications for Spring Girls In Action! The program will take place May 12th through June 12th from 4-7pm Monday – Thursday, and is open to girls ages 12-18. Participants will choose a bike from those donated to Bikes Not Bombs, and not only learn the skills to build it up, but to maintain it as well. At the end of the program, once the bike is built, it is hers to take home! Additionally, we go on bike adventures to explore some of the fascinating places Boston has to offer, and explore various environmental and social justice issues. No previous bike knowledge is necessary!

There are a limited number of spots available. Applicants are chosen based on application date, the applicant’s availability, and willingness to commit. To qualify for enrollment, BOTH the completed application and payment (cash, check or money order) or fee waiver must be submitted. Applicants who are not accepted for whatever reason, will be notified and program fees will be returned.

If you have any questions please contact Ashley Leary at 617-522-0222 x101 or email[email protected].

Applications are available online. Mail or deliver the application & fee to: Bikes Not Bombs, 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Register to Ride the 2014 Bike-A-Thon on June 8th

Join Bikes Not Bombs for the 27th Annual Bike-A-Thonon Sunday, June 8th, 2014 (Rain date: Sunday, June 22nd)! We are excited to release four new routes this year including a family friendly 10 mile route and our longest route ever, 80 miles! All routes start and end in the Southwest Corridor Park, in front of the Stony Brook T. In the afternoon, riders meet back for an After Party which includes fun activities, music, and free food! Our2013 Bike-A-Thon was the most successful yet, mobilizing 559 riders to raise over $170,000, and we’re hoping 2014 will be even more successful! The Bike-A-Thon brings together riders of all ages and skill-levels and every rider makes a difference! After registering, riders can create a personalized fundraising page and are responsible for meeting fundraising minimums ($150 for adults and $75 for those under 18). All proceeds benefit Bikes Not Bombs’ local and international programs.

Register online or in-person at the Hub or Bike Shop.

Beyond the thrill of a fun bike ride, all registered riders will receive 15% off labor for a basic or major tune up at the BNB Shop and there are tons of prizes available from now until the ride on our Twitterand Facebook. Make sure you check in every day to see what the latest #BAT2014 prize is!

Help BNB Load Bikes to Bici-Tec in Guatemala on Sunday April 13th from 10am to 5pm

Bici-Tec is an appropriate technology social enterprise in Guatemala that repairs and sells bicycles, as well as designs and builds bicycle-powered machines. Bici-Tec also trains other people to design and build bicycle machines, such as pedal-powered water pumps and corn grinders. These machines offer an economic and environmentally sustainable alternative to rural families and communities. Bicycle machines are locally produced and use locally repairable technology, and in the words of Carlos Marroquin, Bici-Tec founder, “offer a middle ground between the artisanal and the industrial.”

Please join us to help BNB load bikes to Bici-Tec in Guatemala!

TIME: Sunday, April 13th from 10am to 5pm. Drop in for an hour or stay all day.
PLACE: The BNB warehouse at 10 Harvard Street in Dorchester
DETAILS: Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Equal Exchange coffee will be generously donated by City Feed & Supply.

You can RSVP online.

Power to the Pedals Film Screening Tuesday May 6th

Bikes Not Bombs will screen the new documentary“Power to the Pedals: Wenzday Jane and the Culture of Change” at the Hub, 284 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain, on Tuesday May 6th at 6pm. This 30-minute film features the story of Wenzday Jane, the founder of Metro Pedal Power. Wenzday grew up in a low-income household and was able to harness her mechanical skills to build a successful business — with priorities on social justice and community-building.

We will host a panel of 3-4 speakers after the film focusing on the process of personal and professional development, and the hard and soft skills youth can develop to move onto jobs after high-school. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this exciting film and panel! Email [email protected] for more information.

Volunteer of the Month – Sophie Greenspan

Our volunteer of the month is Sophie Greenspan! While you might not recognize Sophie by name, you will definitely recognize her style all over BNB! She has been our go-to graphic designer for the past year. In November, she designed our year-end newsletter, then immediately went “back to the drawing board” and created our Bike-A-Thon posters, flyers, and ads. Her work didn’t end there; Sophie is currently in the throes of designing the 2014 Bike-A-Thon t-shirt. While we’re not asking her to have a completed design until the end of April, Sophie has already presented us with three separate t-shirt options. Sophie’s enthusiasm for BNB and our graphic design projects is tremendous! Thanks Sophie!

Youth Employee of the Month

Abdullahi (Abdul) Hussein is the April 2014 Youth Employee of the Month. He is the ultimate team player and leader amongst his peers. Abdul makes young people feel welcome at BNB and Chain Reaction, and is a really thoughtful and giving co-worker. Born in Kenya to Somalian parents, Abdul came to Bikes Not Bombs in 2010 to take Earn-A-Bike. After displaying motivation and a strong work ethic in Earn-A-Bike, Abdul joined the Pathways program to be an Instructor running Earn-A-Bike and Girls In Action. Since then, he has become our Chain Reaction Coordinator and has sought out many opportunities to develop new skills – including planning the February trip to the Youth Bike Summit in New York City, where he organized youth to lead a workshop. He takes initiative, works independently and with his peers to achieve goals, is focused and has an energy that is both positive and highly infectious. Always quick with a joke to break the ice, Abdul balances his personal focus on success for himself and Bikes Not Bombs with a lighter side that builds the youth programs team culture and cohesiveness. A veteran leader with a wealth of experience at BNB and with our coalition partners, we are honored to call Abdul a member of the BNB family and our April Youth Employee of the Month. Congratulations to Abdul!

April Free Clinics, Refurbished Bikes Back in Stock, and Spring Shop Happenings

We will be holding our Flat Fixing Clinic on Thursday April 10th from 8-9pm and our Basic Repair and Maintenance Clinic on Wednesday April 23rd from 8-9pm. Full class schedule is online. As always, no need to sign up ahead of time, just be punctual and show up by 8pm! Tool Time, an open shop where you can work on your own projects, will be on Monday April 7th from 7-9pm. Tool Time requires both a BNB Membership and advanced sign up.

With the days getting warmer (and hopefully staying that way) the shop is starting to pick up again. Currently, we’re only booked a couple days in advance so it’s still a great time to bring you’re bike by to get tuned-up for Spring.

We have a great selection of refurbished and new bikesto come try out. Also don’t forget that we currently have some refurbished kids bikes starting at $50. This is a great way to get a safe and fun 16″ or 20″ wheeled bike for your child.

We’re happy to welcome Ernesto Botello to our shop staff. Ernesto recently completed our Vocational Training Program and has been a great addition to the bike shop staff. We’re also sad to announce that longtime employee Alex Twombly is leaving the BNB shop, but we wish him the best as he embarks on his through-hike along the Pacific Crest Trail!

Bike-A-Thon Volunteers Needed!

photo by: Allie Hunter

Want to participate in the fun of Bike-A-Thon without riding? We’re looking for about 50 volunteers to help out on the day of the event, June 8th (rain date: June 22nd). We also have some volunteer roles in the week leading up to the Bike-A-Thon. Volunteers receive a free Bike-A-Thon t-shirt, food at the After-Party, and get to be part of the action!

Available positions include helping with the BNB info table, route marking, rest stop support, sign painting and more. Sign up online!




News outside of BNB:

 


 

 

Hubway is Hiring

Hubway Bicycle Share is hiring a variety of positions for the spring and summer. There are a number of part-time and full-time positions available including Field Bicycle Technician and Corporate Sales Associate. Hubway operates a 3 year old bike share in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville.


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