Bike rodeos

We present many short bicycle skills courses (usually known as bike rodeos) for neighborhood groups, schools, scouts etc. These 1-4 hour events introduce basic traffic concepts and bike-handling skills, with a chance to practice them in a car-free setting like a closed parking lot, for children, youth, or adults. Besides how to fit a helmet and check the mechanical safety of their bikes, students learn the meaning of “yield” and “right of way” — and how to watch out for other road users who haven’t! They also practice steering around obstacles, stopping and starting safely and efficiently, and scanning for road hazards and other traffic around them. Youth and adult programs also include practicing evasive maneuvers. All are based on the League of American Bicyclists’ Smart Cycling curriculum.

Fixathons

When bikes are brought to rodeos which don’t pass the Safety Check station, we try to do minor repairs while the participant uses a loaner bike for the course. If unsafe bikes are expected to be a common issue we can address these — and some more major repairs — with a separate service before the rodeo, in an intensive bike-repair session we call a “fixathon.”  We can also provide this as a stand-alone service; for instance, to facilitate and encourage cycling in neighborhoods without a bike shop.

We’ll work with a community partner group to identify a suitable location like a rec center or school gym, and bring a team of experienced mechanics and all the parts, tools and supplies needed to fix as many bikes as possible as fast as possible (hence the “fixathon” name!). 

Valet bike parking

 For years the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op has helped people use bikes to attend large public events like Burning River Fest or Parade the Circle by parking and watching their bikes in a secure, convenient location, and assisting with minor on-the-spot repairs as needed. We also rent semi-secure portable racks and streamlined this service so that it can be administered by event organizers’ staff or volunteers, or even offered as a self-park if demand is small but secure bike locking spots are scarce. This service helps organizers produce events that are more attractive to cyclists and safer for all, by providing an organized, designated area for bike parking. 

Group bike rentals and tours

We rent basic bikes for groups of 5 or more, who can provide in advance their group’s leg lengths (watch and share this video) and security deposits at least two weeks (longer if possible). Invoicing is available for corporate or other organizations. Rental rates are $30/bike for one day during open hours. Delivery for up to 50 bikes is available for $100 per trip + uhaul fees anywhere in Cuyahoga County, and beyond for an additional $2/mile.

We also provide guided tours, with or without bike rentals. Bike rentals for guided tours are $25/bike.

We can customize a tour of up to five hours, or present a private version of any of several themed, 2-hour, sightseeing tours of Downtown Cleveland. Guide fees are $100/hour for a League Certified Instructor to lead up to 15 riders. An additional guide is required for every additional (up to) 15 riders. Children must be accompanied by one adult rider with up to three kids.

Pre-ride safety briefings

For bicycling events held on open roads, as most are, it is important for the safety of the riders — and the liability of the organizers — that participants understand their rights and responsibilities toward other cyclists and traffic, and take responsibility for the mechanical safety of their bikes. OCBC has extensive experience providing this information in a fun and engaging way. Safety talks should be scheduled early in the year, and require a PA system for greater than 50 riders, or enough time to schedule a series of smaller groups.

Assemblies and other large-group presentations

Presentations to large groups address topics of specific interest to each group, so must be scheduled at least one month in advance. A computer projector and screen are usually needed, and a PA system for outdoor groups larger than 75 is required. Our fee for this program is $200 for up to two hours, with scholarships available for qualifying groups. Standard school assemblies usually address K – 3rd, 4 – 6th, and 7 – 8th separately.